I've often thought of machine embroidering the label on the backing fabric before I quilt it. Then the information is a permanent part of the quilt. I realize this would not prevent theft or being lost but it might stop a thief from keeping it if they had to "explain" that strange information unconnected to them if someone else saw it. Of course, it's probably like locks, they only keep honest people out! Any thoughts on this?

THEY'D STILL, JUST SAY, JICKED IT UP FROM A GARAGE SALE OR SOMETHING....
sad sad sad

Yeah, I think BluTeddi is right :(
It sure is sad :(

I've an idea - if you added onto the label:

Stolen if not in the property of .........(Name of owner)

I hadn't thought of that but I think you are correct! I guess it wouldn't bother "those" people at all.

Sadly, nothing will stop the dedicated thieves of this world. I could see them just stitching a lable with their own information right over anything we might try to put 'permanently' onto the backs of our quilts.

But nothing would stop these people from removing the stitches from the label and handstitching over the top of it. Where there's a will..It is almost as if we have to drive halfway and meet each other to hand deliver the quilts ourselves. If it were only that easy. Do people in the post offices know who the quiltmakers are and see a box come through for mailing and 'check it out'? Pathetic no matter how they do it.

IMHO You are better off taking a photo- close up and detail of the quilt, and of you quilting the quilt. No two quilts are exactly the same. Someone I know has a "signature" fabric that is in all of her quilts. It is something she picked up long ago, and always puts the smallest piece in it somewhere (even if only the binding). That way she can pick it out. I made an heirloom once and buried an info tag (fabric written with perma fabric fine point pen) inside the upper left corner of the binding. I also took pictures.

www.lostquilt.com

Lists lost and stolen quilts. I always poke around there. You would be surprised how many quilts are "yanked down" at local shows. If you send a quilt to a show, their insurance usually does not cover this type of a theft - or the after hours janitor steal. Never, never put your quilt in an opaque (can't see through) plastic garbage bag. One national quilter who spoke at our guild was unpacking her booth and a janitor saw the black bag off to the side and tossed it in his container as he walked by. By the time she noticed it was gone...to late. Can't remember the woman's name, but it is still gone, as far as I know.

I saw this on the news this morning and thought it would be a great idea for the major shows to use to protect our quilts!

"Those oh-so-fluffy hotel towels may seem hard to resist taking home, but guests who do so should know that new technology might be tracking that linen straight to their doorsteps. Linen Technology Tracking, a Miami company, has patented a washable RFID chip that can be sewn into towels, robes and bed sheets. The chip allows hotels to keep track of their linens, reducing loss and helping with inventory."

Jan in VA

yes lots of quilters add the label to the backing and then quilt over it along with the whole top. very hard to remove that way.