Quilt label question
 

I was wondering what other quilters use to make their labels. I have a lovely new printer, lots of ink, printable fabric (Avery brand) and several items that need labels. What program do you use? Is there a web site you can go to?

Avery has a site but to me it seems that I would be forced to use a full sheet to print 1 label and that would be lots of waste because it would print in the middle! Ugh...frustration is setting in.

Andrea

I made one printed label on a printer. Used a package of pre-designed labels from Joanns. That quilt was for a grandson and was washed frequently for about 4 years. He's in a bunk bed now and that quilt is no longer used daily. The label faded quite a bit, but was still readable last time I saw it. Now I use the monogram feature on my sewing machine to make labels so ... not much help. I do know people who simply take a fabric marker and write out their labels. Did you try a search for labels on this board?

It does depend on the frequency of washing as JanTx said. There are some great fabric ink pens be sure to check the directions and using decorative stitches etc if your machine doesn't have an alphabet make a nice edging. My Elna has alphabet letters but I haven't done a whole label with it. When I'm using printable fabric I make my own by going into Word and using the labels templates for large labels and do enough to fill up a whole sheet. You can do some with blank spaces for exampleMade for_____________ Date__________. I'm sure with all the suggestions you'll get you will hit on what works just right for you.

This quilter did a test with different pens. You can read her result on her blog.
No affiliation at all. Just remember reading this the other day.
http://www.freckledwhimsy.com/2010/0...ns-to-use.html

As far as a program to use, Word works well. You can use clip arts from the web along with any fonts or colors you want.

Print when putting in a show or wall hangings. I make my own different shapes styles and places for others. Hand stitch, or machine or even use permanent jell markers. I've even put label on the binding or a leaf heart. Envelope etc.
Having said all this not every quilt gets a label

If i'm going to print a label I generally just open my word program- choose font & color- and type it up- sometimes I print on a picture or print fabric- sometimes on plain fabric- follow the instructions on the fabric package (as far as heat setting/rinsing) you can 'design' your labels any way you want- you do not need any special program. permanent micron pigma pens work great too- they are acid free, archival quality, permanent- do not bleed, or fuzz around the edges, do not fade. then you can write anything you want. joannes also carries books of labels that are iron on- you iron them onto your fabric- then fill in the blanks with a permanent marker/pen.

I use a greeting card program on my computer. I make 4 labels at once using the double fold card choice. I use the blank card choice and put something different in each quadrant. Sometimes if I only need one or two labels I'll make generic labels with "made by my name & city/state". Or else make two labels that will fit on the top of the page and save the bottom half for another time.

MOST of the labels I make are pretty simple/basic.
I write the info using a fabric marker that will wash out later. Then embroidery. I like the idea of it being "in my hand". A good friend told me to be sure and include the town I live in on the label. The more quilts I see, the more I like that idea.

I haven't made a label in a while (I feel a sense of shame setting in) but when I did, I used EQ to design the label. I could use a photo of the recipient, add text, and surround it with pictures of the blocks from the quilt, all designed in EQ. Recently I bought EQStitch (the embroidery add-on for EQ) and will be embroidering future labels (I hope).