Thread: Labeling your quilts

Originally Posted by purpleleaf

Do you label your quilts? If so - could you share what you use, what info you include, and how (and when in the process - before quilting or after?) you attach it, please!

I know that every instructor I've ever had a quilting class from has stressed labeling... and yet I never do it!

I always label my quilts, unless for charity. I have read that it will give the quilt its provenence after we are gone. I have some old quilts from relatives, but don't know who or when they were made. Labels should include as much info as to inspiration, pattern (with credit to the pattern designer), name of the quilt, your name, city & state & the date. I typically use the year for dating. Labels also can help in recovery of a quilt is ever lost, & I think that can happen more than we realize. Labels can be hand sewn on the back, also incorporating it into the binding, which makes it harder to remove if a quilt is stolen, or written on the backing, which is impossible to remove. I want my quilts to have the info for the future, even if they don't stay with my kids.

I use my computer to make labels. I design them using MS Word and print them on Quick Fuse. You have to be careful when choosing an iron on for your quilts. I find that Quick Fuse is easy to use and will hold up when washed. I also agree about putting additional info inside the binding. I haven't had any quilts stolen. When my house was broken into about 20 years ago, the thieves were more interested in electronics, jewelry and guns. I have heard of others that have had quilts stolen though.

I label all my quilts, except the charity and QOV quilts. I usually put the name of the quilt, sometimes who it's for, date(s) pieced and quilted, and the type of materials in the quilt (i.e. cotton fabric, wool, cotton, and/or bamboo batting) with washing instructions.

I too label when the quilt is made for someone special. I write on the label with special ink. I do like some of the prior suggestions and may incorporate them in the future.

I am close to finishing my first quilt and plan to label it. I'm still figuring out how I will create the label. I plan to include that the embroidery and applique on the blocks was done by my grandmother; also that I made the quilt. Most likely, I will embroider the information directly on the back of the quilt, or on a fabric that I will hand sew to the back.