Hello all
I have noticed many of you do not label your quilts but just as many do as don't. Being fairly new to quilting I like to label mine, but I was wondering why those who don't label don't do it and how do you do these really awesome labels with pictures? How is labeling looked at in the "quilt world"?
Peggy

I am new but learning that labels are very important. I have done a block with a special inscription and have ordered "especially made for you by" with my name enbroidered labels and some just a simple hand written notation.

it is always a good idea to label your quilt with at least the name of the quilt- your name, city, state, date finished- fiber content and care instructions- other personalizations are nice when it is a gift- special quilt for a special purpose.
you can print your labels onto fabrics- draw with fabric pens/paints/markers, buy ready made ones and iron on ones- there are lots of options and you are only limited by your own imagination or lack of-
you never know where a quilt might wind up- it is always nice for whom ever comes across it to be able to see who made it- where it was made- what it's made out of and how to take care of it. the same information you would want to find if you were lucky enough to come across one somewhere- some time down the road-40 years from now-...
and if you ever plan to sell any quilts the fiber content and care instructions are very important.

I use Microsoft Word to print out a label with a picture and personalized information about the quilt. My daughter uses the alphabet on her machine and embroiders her label.

Whole discussion going on here:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-158705-5.htm#4416156

Includes some ways to create a label

how does it work with Microsoft to print a label? Do you have to have special fabric or paper or something? And then how do you sew them on? My hand stitching is terrible and looks like a child did it.
peggy

I do mine with fabric paint pens. I put together what I want it to say and then find a font and size that I like. Then I print it mirror-image on freezer paper. Iron it on to the fabric, use my homemade light table and trace the wording. Then I go back and paint it with the paint pen. After the paint dries - usually overnight - I iron it on the front and back to heat set it. Then I stitch it in place - usually on the back lower right corner.

Wow Jane thats awesome. Your stitching looks great too. I have a terrible time making the stitches look good. How do you stitch it?
peggy

It's a choice as with all quilting "rules" you do as you want or don't want.

I have labeled some but not all when I first started quilting I just didn't think about it but I have an embroidery machine now ant that makes it so easy. my hand embroidery would take as long as it did for me to make the quilt. But the fabric paint is right up my alley I would like doing that, Great work Jane

I label gifts but not charity quilts!

Just today I had my favorite print shop do these for me. I don't put pictures on all of my labels but these are for my nephews that live across the country and I only see once every few years. Sara does a great job! She is "Anderson Ink" in Spokane Valley Mall and can mail them out. These are about 3x5 and cost about $7.00 each. They will NEVER fade!

My friend Cindi has done 2 tutorials on quilt labels. This first one is actually for quilt care labels, meaning instructions on how to wash/care for your quilt. You can use the same techniques to create regular identification labels for your quilt.

http://www.seamstobeyouandme.com/wor...abel-tutorial/

The second tutorial Cindi did shows how you can create a QR label for your quilt, which can do 2 things: identify it, and give the person looking at your quilt a LOT more information about it, such as what pattern it is, what fabrics you used, the name of the person who quilted it, etc.

http://www.seamstobeyouandme.com/wor...des-on-quilts/

For those who don't know, this is a QR code:

Labeling a quilt is important because: If you make a quilt for a granddaughter, then someday her granddaughter has it or finds it in the attic, she will want to know who made it and when. I have seen too many old quilts with no label, and no one has any idea who made it.

I never thought to label the first quilts I made years ago for wedding and baby gifts. It wasn't till I took a class in 1984 that I started labeling. I hand embroider or use a permanent fabric pen to trace over the info I've printed off. Or I just hand write it...never too professional looking, but it's from me :) Sometimes I include info on the top as part of the design. Have I said "I LOVE MAKING QUILTS" LOL

I make labels for all of my quilts. I try to make a label that reflects the theme of the quilt. I use the treated inkjet fabric and Microsoft Word for the printing and trace over the printing with a fine tip Micron pen.

I label quilts that go to family members. I recently bought a machine that does embroidery and I'm having fun doing labels for about 6 quilts.

These labels are cute as they can be! But 100 years from now, no one will know who made these quilts!

Yes, that is so true. Full names of recipients and makers should on the quilts, as well as city and state, or at least state. Even utilitarian quilts, as they are the ones that we are finding and wanting to know the 'story or history' behind them. Who made them, when .... They are the scrappy quilts, the quilts made from clothes etc. They do not have to be art quilts to have a label.

So don't underestimate the value and longevity of your works of love for family, friends etc. They may end up in a museum one day, or at least found at an estate sale etc and some fortunate quilter will ask 'who, why, when, where'