My niece will be graduating from high school next year. I want to do a signature quilt for her. I plan on doing a snowball/nine patch quilt for this. My question:

What would be the best way for her friends to sign the quilt, before the top is made or just do the snowball blocks and have them sign it before the top is done? Or

If I make the quilt and she takes it to school and has her friends sign it, will it still be ok to use the iron on the signatures AFTER it is signed, will it still set the ink?

Thank you for all of your help and opinions.