Stephanie of N. Tex., suggested in a recent comment that I share how I make quilt labels. So I've decided to do just that.
I don't have one particular method for labeling my quilts. So each label that I show below will be a little different. I love making quilt labels. They're the last opportunity with each quilt to be creative.
One of the easiest methods of quilt labeling is to use the labels by the yard that are available from many quilt shops and online fabric suppliers. That's what I used to make the label for Daniel's "I Spy a Rainbow Quilt." All I had to do was fill in the information, using a permanent acid-free pen such as Pigma.
I also used a by-the-yard label for my "Mama in the Mirror" quilt. This one, as you see, doesn't have blanks to fill in. You can include any information you choose.
Here's the fabric from which I got the label for Daniel's quilt.
I created the text for this label on the computer, printed it out, then used my light box to trace it onto a pice of off-white fabric, using my Pigma pen.
This label was created the same way as the one above.
But sometimes I freehand my text, as I did here, using a Pigma pen. This is my "Endless Indian Summer" quilt, so I added a few falling leaves to the label for fun.
For the label for "Bunnies in the Cabin," I traced one of the bunny templates and wrote the information inside the bunny.
For my quilt "Flutterbugs," I cut o motif from the quilt's theme fabric and machine appliqued it onto a fabric square, then wrote my information around the motif.
For my blue-and-yellow basket quilt, "The Gathering," I created a simplified version of the basket block for my label. The heart shape is machine embroidered.
For some of my quilts, I have created labels on the computer, then printed them out on cloth photo transfer sheets. This isn't my favorite method, however. The labels tend to be quite stiff.
I created this label using machine embroidery, then bordered it with some of the prints from the quilt.
When it came time to label my "Sew Many Santas" quilt, I knew I had to have a Santa on it. I bought a child's coloring book that was full of wonderful Santa images, chose one and used the light box to trace it onto muslin. I colored the Santa using colored pencils, then added my information using a Pigma pen and my own handwriting.
These are labels I created recently for quilts that appeared in this summer's guild quilt show. I created the text with the computer, printed them out, then used the light box and my trusty Pigma pen to trace them onto fabric. Borders of fabrics that matches the quilts finished them off.
So there you are. That's all the ways I can think of that I make labels.
If you're a quilter, you really should label your quilts with a minimum of your name and the date. You can also add your town and state, the title of the quilt, who it was made for, or any other information that you think future generations might like to know.
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On 09/13/2013, Laurel said ...
Hi....thanks for the great hints and ideas....
I have tried using a pigma pen before but with not very good results...
Please tell what number pigma pen you use and if you back the fabric with freezer paper or something else before writing on it....
On 09/13/2013, Barbara Anne said ...
Love your wonderful, creative, and delightfully individual quilt labels and the variety of ways you make them! Your handwriting is beautiful and wish I could write like that.
I make my own quilt labels but am far less creative than you are. I just write on cotton using the Pigma pens (size .5 is my favorite) and draw a bit around the information.
All of the family quilt I have don't have labels or names and I SO WISH that I knew who made them. By the time I found these quilts, the family members who might have known the makers had long since died. As a favor to the folks in the future who find my quilts, mine have labels, be they humble or not.
Hugs!
On 09/13/2013, Sandy said ...
Great label ideas Susan and they're all so pretty. Another way I like to do it is to design the label on the computer, print it out in reverse print on freezer paper and iron it to the fabric I want to use. The print will be correct when you use the light box. It stabilizes the fabric just right for using the pigma pens. It also makes coloring easier. I love to make labels, too. Guess it's the kid in me that likes to draw and color.
On 09/13/2013, Stephani in N. TX said ...
I'm glad I asked. You have a whole arsenal of possibilities. I have done a few labels on fabric in the computer with mixed results, but they did the job. I now have some ideas to keep up with the labels as my quilts are finished, as well as those still waiting to be quilted (lots). Thanks so much.
On 09/13/2013, Jenn said ...
Some beautiful labels. The one from 2001 just jumped out at me - butterflies and colors ... great. Some very delicate and wonderful creations to add to your quilts. That's so neat!
Haven't been by in a long while. Decided to look through the reader Feedly and saw your blog had to come see what you were up to.
Take care, Jenn
On 09/13/2013, Jenn said ...
PS - mentioning your blog on my blog tomorrow. ;) Jenn
On 09/14/2013, Sandra Clarke said ...
Susan, Great post and I will share these ideas with some of my friends. Thanks for taking the time to show each of these.
On 09/14/2013, CathieJ said ...
Thanks for the info on the label fabric. I love that. I must look for it online and in my local stores.
On 09/14/2013, Sue, the Florida Farm Girl said ...
Those are wonderful labels. I'm notorius for either not putting a label on at all, or simply writing it directly on the backing. I do need to remedy that.
On 11/10/2013, Kathryn Lloyd said ...
These are wonderful ideas. Thanks for sharing.
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