I've handwritten them on fabric using wash-proof pens, and sometimes I also stencil little designs using wash-proof ink. I've embroidered the information on. Sometimes I use bits of plain fabric, and I've also used pre-printed labels (have you seen those? You get various sizes of label printed on quilting-quality cotton, with fancy borders. You fill in the information inside the frame). And I have a book of iron-on deigns for labels. They're indelible of polyester or poly-cotton, I'm told, but if you use 100% cotton you also need to ink or embroider over the design to make it indelible. You can colour or embellish them as you wish. I haven't used any of those yet, but I will.
I turn 1/4" hem under and press, then slipstitch the label in place.
I used to do it after, but now I always do it before quilting. The advantage of doing it before quilting is that it become totally impossible to unpick the label, and I think it looks nicer (otherwise it can be a pit puffy). The disadvantage is that it's harder to place it very neatly - you know how quilts shrink when you quilt them, and then when you come to add the binding sometimes you find the label is on a bit of a slant compared to the binding. This is worse if you try to put your label 1/2" away from the binding, because even 1/8" slant-age will show up, but if you place your label further from the binding then it isn't such a problem. Oh, and applique the label after you baste the quilt sandwich. It's almost impossible to do it before, though God knows I tried before I realised what an idiot I was being.
It depends - sometimes I give the quilt a name, so that would go on. Sometimes I say who it's for, if it's a gift.
I think a label is /really/ important. I'm not so bothered by the "quilt historians of the future will want to know" argument. But I think a label is the final touch that spells out clearly "This is a precious hand crafted item. It's not a mass-produced piece of junk. Neither is it made in a sweat-shop in a developing country for a chain store on the other side of the world. There is love, blood, sweat, and tears in every stitch (But it's OK, I washed it before I gave it to you). It's unique. I'm proud enough of it to put my name to it. Use it with respect. But for heaven's sake, do use it. I didn't go to all this trouble just for it to mildew in a closet."
I only label those I am giving away or elsewhere when it is required. I hand write with permanent pen on fabric. I turn the edges under and hem them round. I label after quilting. I include the name of the quilt, my name, date, location, who it is going to (or why it was made). . In message , Kate G. writes
Yes I label my quilts. Since so many of them end up as class samples and such they really do need to be labeled to show ownership.
I have started putting some additional information on my labels: type of batting/brand name included; sometimes fabric line if it mostly all (or mostly) one line; if it is for a class; pattern name; designer/ author if from a commercial pattern/book. I am considering adding the size to the label too. (I have noticed that when someone gives a trunk show, this is information that people ask about. ) Since most of the time I write directly on the backing of the quilt, I do it after the quilting. Sometimes I also add a separate label, edges turned under and appliqued down. Sometimes I use an extra block from the quilt, sometimes I shape the label to match one of the motifs of the quilt. It varies on my mood, how much time I have and so on. For gifts, I will probably start to add simple washing instructions.
All my pieces, with as much info as needed. Name of piece plus maker/ quilter, dates, occasion, etc. Many times I have done the label in a heart shape, it is appliqued down to back and is included in the quilting, then I quilt around the heart so there is a heart on the front ;) At times I have also written the same info in the back itself, and put label over it all.
So far, I freehand machine embroidery my name and date on quilt that I will keep at my house. On ones that are gifts I have freehand machine embroidered "To Travis, From Aunt Barbara, and the year." Barbara in hot FL
I have a permanent archival black marking pen that's designed to write on fabric without damaging it or bleeding through several layers. I sign my name on the quilt with the date on the back. That's it. Nothing else.
I think of the label as a way of attaching the history of the quilt to the quilt itself in case they are ever separated. Someone might want to know who made it.
If the quilt is a gift, I enclose a card with all the information like how delighted I am with their wedding and how to wash the quilt and how I wish them years of happiness. If I got them a toaster for a wedding gift, I'd put that information on a card as well, not on the gift itself. Same for china and crystal goblets. If the recipients wish to sell the quilt, they can. If, 60 years from now, the recipients' heirs find the quilt (along with an old toaster, china and crystal goblets) and see my name on it, they can still set it as an antique or toss it in the rag bucket same as if it had a label.
(Wedding gifts often have the recipients' names stitched into the front, but that's part of the design, not the label.)
If the quilt is for sale, the owners have every reason to want to know who made it in a permanent way, but the advertising as far as webpage (when I get one) and how to get in touch with me to buy more belong on a tag that's safety pinned to the quilt, not sewn on.
If the quilt is an art piece for sale or for a gift, my signature is machine quilted on the front, usually in the lower right hand corner, just as any work of art is signed in the materials it is made with.
I label all my quilts these days, though I have to admit some of my early ones didn't get labeled.
I often write it directly on backing if it will show up there. I use an extra fine Sharpie or Pigma pen. Otherwise, I cut a piece of plain white fabric & write it on there. Occasionally, I will have some labels that are printed on "by the yard" fabric and I'll write the label info on one of those.
I press the edges under and appliqué it by hand to the back of the quilt.
After
The name of the recipient. The name of the pattern and/or designer, if applicable. If a gift, the occasion for the gift. The name of the quilt, if I have named it.
Julia in MN
----------- This message has been scanned for viruses by Norton Anti-Virus
I label. I print what I want on the label out on paper. Then fuse my fabric and while it still has the paper backing on I trace over the paper print out with permanent pen. When I put the fusible on my fabric I just put it in the center so I can turn the edges over half an inch or so. Then I fuse it to the back of the quilt and stitch the edges down.
I put the name of the quilt, the year I finished it, who it's for and my relationship to them if any and who it's quilted by if I have it professionally done.
I write it in fabric pen directly onto the front of the quilt. Painters sign their paintings (they don't stick a label on the back) so I can sign my quilts on the front too.
I don't do it large and I do write along a seam line or something - not in the center of a big white block :-)
It's only my name and the date.
The real information goes in my quilt binder. Every quilt gets a page. Photo of the quilt, fabric swatches, finished size, techniques used, pattern name if I used one, who it was given to, where it was displayed, if it's from a class who the teacher was, etc. Some quilts have additional pages with judges comments if it was in a quilt show, doodles if I drew it up myself and so forth.
My quilts are often given away so some fancy label on a quilt far away (or worn out and dead) does me no good. But, my book gives ME a record of what I have done that I can look back on and enjoy.
What a good question - I was thinking about this the other day, glad someone asked it!
Always label gifts, sometimes label other quilts. Should probably start being more diligent with this.
I've written it directly onto the quilt, written it onto a small piece of fabric and printed a label with the computer (usually helped by my geek-in-residence DH)
I've done both fuse and applique. I usually press under a 1/4" and then stitch down. Sometimes I've pinked and then fused, just to get a different look.
After
I always put a "title" or at least the pattern name, ex: Micah's Monkey Wrench - the recipient's name - occasion (birthday, Christmas)
There are some quilts I've made for my DD that I wish I had labeled at the time. I keep thinking I need to go back and put some kind of label on them now, before I start losing my memory! ;-)
I used to not label at all. Then by popular demand as it were, I started labeling ones I gave away. On some of them I started adding my name or other identifier, but still don't always. I have taken to including washing instructions on some of them. At my husband's request, I have started labeling the ones for home with my name, the date, fiber content, and the pattern, or if it isn't all one standard pattern some design identifier. Usually the label is just a light colored scrap of fabric, or a bit of plain muslin If I haven't any light scraps of the right size. Generaly I write the label. I'll use a pigma pen, or a nib or technical pen and an appropriate ink or some black dynaflow. Once in a blue moon I'll embroider it. Generally I just turn the edges with an iron and stitch it down by hand to the backing before quilting. About 1/2 to a full inch from where I figure the binding will be in what at that moment is the lower right corner. I have on occassion used a narrow zig zag on the machine. Usually I put it on right before I commence to basting.
Any of the above -- depends on the quilt and my mood.
I appliqué it on, but I usually turn under the edges and do a decorative stitch around them before attaching it.
After.
That's usually all I include, but I've been known to put a personal message on quilts that are going to the grandchildren or other family members. Oh, and I mention who taught the class, if the quilt is the result of a class, and the only two I've ever had quilted by someone else also have those quilters' names on the labels.
So far I haven't made enough quilts to give away. I only have 4 items I've ever completed for myself.
I used to make little quilties for the neo-natal centers here in town. I did that through one of the guilds. The guild had a little label -- one of those things you can send away for. It had the name of the guild and the city. It was probably ½" x 2". We hand stitched them on.
I've rejoined that guild this year, so I'll be back to making little quilties. Smallest size allowed is 24x24"; largest, 30x30".
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.