Quilt Label Tutorial and Giveaway

After the #IGQuiltFest on Instagram, and one of the day's postings was about quilt labels, my friend Paige of QuiltedBlooms and I decided to both write tutorials - they're different from one another - about how we make quilt labels.

(I had only a moment to meet Paige in person at QuiltCon and say congratulation on the two ribbons she won! See those beautiful quilts: "Mustard Stains" here and "Cursive" here.) 

I use my MacBook Pages software to design quilt labels. If you're a PC-user, you can design with Microsoft Word or Publisher.

I print labels on inkjet printable fabric called Printed Treasures, purchased from JHittleSewing who is the sponsor of my giveaway. JHittleSewing is where I purchase many of my quilting and sewing supplies and notions - from thread to zippers, rotary cutter blades to safety pins, and more. You name it, and JHittleSewing has it.

A package of five 8-1/2" X 11" paper-backed fabric pages is $14.51. Because Printed Treasures is fed through a printer, it's less wasteful to design and print multiple labels at one time. If you were to design and print only one label, you'd end up with a remaining partial page that's nearly impossible to feed through the printer a second time.

All kinds of information can be included on a label. Here's what I think is important:

• Quilt name
• Quilt dimensions - I've learned from entering quilts into shows that it's helpful to have that information handy when completing an entry form, and if it's needed for your Guild's show and tell communications
• Quilt recipient's name (if it's a gift)
• Why the quilt was made - Was it a wedding, birth, or anniversary gift? Was it made during a workshop? Elaborate! In the case of a baby's birth quilt, include the birth date, weight, height.
• My whole name,  first, maiden (or middle), and last
• Quilter's name, if the two are different!
• Machine(s) used - Since I quilt all my own quilts, I include specific information about which sewing machine I used for quilting.
• Location - My city and state
• Date - The month and year the quilt was completed.
• Optional additions: An icon or two. I always include two that are specific to me: a palm tree and Christian cross; a border; a photo; and occasionally I'll even write a poem.

Think about future generations looking at your quilt, and what they want to know about it when you are no longer around to tell them.

After the fun part of creating labels, print the design onto a sheet of regular paper. This is to:
1) decide if the chosen colors are appropriate and read-able
2) review the accuracy of the information
3) check spelling
4) verify that the arrangement of the labels allows for trimming 3/8" to 1/2" from the border or text.

Then, position Printed Treasures in the tray with the fabric side down (This is the position for my Canon MX870 inkjet printer.) and print. 

Prepare for trimming.

Cut 3/8" from all four sides of a label. If your label has a border, it's easy to measure.

Next, remove the paper from the back of each label.

Then, to completely set the printer ink, put the labels into a sink of water. Yes, the fabric curls up like that on its own.

After a bit of sloshing, remove the labels and allow them to air-dry on a towel.

When they're dry, press them with a press cloth like a handkerchief, or another piece of fabric. Without a press cloth, I've found that if my iron is too hot, the label sticks to the soleplate.

Now you have the option of adding fabric borders, or just turning under the edges of the Printed Treasures. I prefer to add fabric borders because the fabric is a little easier to hand sew to the quilt back, versus the thicker rubberiness of the Printed Treasures. 

Whichever you prefer to do, turn under a 1/4" to 3/8" seam on the label's outside edges and press. Use a regular needle and sewing thread, and a blind stitch to hand-sew the label to the quilt back...

... usually on the bottom right corner, as you're looking at your quilt back.

Now for that giveaway from J. Hittle Sewing. Mr. Hittle himself will send one package of five sheets of Printed Treasures (a $14.51 value, plus shipping) to one winner.

1. Comment to tell me your quilt label-making habit. Do you make labels? What information do you like to include? Do you have a favorite method?
2. Be sure I have a way to contact you if you win. NOTE: If you're a "no-reply" commenter, be sure to include an email address so I can contact you.
3. USA addresses only. So sorry, international friends!
4. This giveaway is open through Friday, April 7.

After you've commented, be sure to stop by Paige's Quilted Blooms blog to learn how she makes her quilt labels.

And then visit Yvonne's blog QuiltingJetGirl. I'm linking this post to Yvonne's "Tuesday Tips and Tutorials" where you can find lots more quilty-good information. Linda

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