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AliKat 04-20-2011 11:06 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Making Your Own Quilt Labels


Use 100% cotton, usually tone on tone or otherwise some lighter color. Though darker fabrics and lighter print colors can used if desired. Personally, I prefer the lighter background fabric and either black, brown, or colored ink.

Wash the fabric without softener, using only plain unscented no bleach detergent – Arm & Hammer. You can even dry the material in the clothes dryer. Again, no softener or dryer sheets!

While this is going on cut freezer paper to the size you want to use. Generally I cut a 8 ½ x 11 ½+ sheet. Yes, that is a bit over 11 ½ long so the leading edge can be trimmed [I’ll explain further on.]

Iron the fabric without any additives such as starch, sizing, Best Press, or other such product. This is vital to the integrity of the finished label. The printer ink will not ‘take’ if there are additives used anywhere in the preparation of the fabric!

Cut the washed, dried, and ironed fabric to the desired size. Then iron the label fabric onto freezer paper with the wrong side of the fabric onto the shiny side of the freezer paper. After ironing these two together, let them cool, then trim what will become the leading edge of the fabric/paper with a rotary cutter so it is straight and @ a 90 degree angle to the sides. This eliminates any loose threads going into the printer. Now iron this edge again to make sure it is secure.

Now compose the label on the computer. I use the WORD program on my computer but could just as easily use one of the greeting card programs instead. The font style, font size, and font color can be adjusted to my liking here. If there is to be a scanned design, as from the fabric or a picture, paste the scanned item into the word document being created. Remember to have blank space for seam allowances for sewing the label onto the quilt later. Print out the label on regular printer paper to check for errors or see if anything should be changed. If you are going to have a smaller label you might want to pencil in the area you will use to make sure the printing goes onto the correct placement on the paper, before printing on the fabric/freezer paper combination. Check for those seam allowances. I like more than ¼”seam allowances for my labels. Remember you can choose the orientation of the printing: portrait or landscape.

Before printing the actual label go to the printer preferences on your computer. DO NOT use the Best quality for this project as it allows too much ink to be used and can smear the end result. I usually use the next level below the best quality.

Insert the fabric/freezer paper so that the printing will be on the fabric side. The “leading edge” is the edge of this combination to go through the printer first.

Iron the finished product to set the ink. Keep the freezer paper on the label til ready for use. When ready to use the label remove the freezer paper and proceed as you normally would.

Remember you can make sayings, poems, or other things on your label. The label can become a design element and be sewed into your backing in any manner you desire. You can frame it with small blocks mimicking the front or frame it with Broderie Persed fabric [that is a form of appliqué that follows the design of the fabric.] See below.


I have literally made thousands of labels as I make them for one of my quilting groups for our charity quilts. When I make a lot I request someone else do the washing and ironing of the material. Then a close friend and I cut out the material and the freezer paper at our homes and get together to do the ironing, trimming, and printing. We also iron after the printing to set the ink.

I know my picture is less than desired but hope it helps.

Some printer stores will let you use their printers. Check first before you go as some won’t allow this.

Of course you can always buy the sheets of prepared fabric for printers. Just costs more ... does take less time ... and you can't choose your own fabric with store bought printer prepared sheets.

Process developed by:
Alice Kraft
Phoenix, Arizona

Painiacs 04-20-2011 11:18 PM

Thanks for that!

craftybear 04-20-2011 11:21 PM

thanks for the great tutorial

craftybear 04-20-2011 11:22 PM

Thanks for the great tutorial


Originally Posted by AliKat
Making Your Own Quilt Labels


Use 100% cotton, usually tone on tone or otherwise some lighter color. Though darker fabrics and lighter print colors can used if desired. Personally, I prefer the lighter background fabric and either black, brown, or colored ink.

Wash the fabric without softener, using only plain unscented no bleach detergent – Arm & Hammer. You can even dry the material in the clothes dryer. Again, no softener or dryer sheets!

While this is going on cut freezer paper to the size you want to use. Generally I cut a 8 ½ x 11 ½+ sheet. Yes, that is a bit over 11 ½ long so the leading edge can be trimmed [I’ll explain further on.]

Iron the fabric without any additives such as starch, sizing, Best Press, or other such product. This is vital to the integrity of the finished label. The printer ink will not ‘take’ if there are additives used anywhere in the preparation of the fabric!

Cut the washed, dried, and ironed fabric to the desired size. Then iron the label fabric onto freezer paper with the wrong side of the fabric onto the shiny side of the freezer paper. After ironing these two together, let them cool, then trim what will become the leading edge of the fabric/paper with a rotary cutter so it is straight and @ a 90 degree angle to the sides. This eliminates any loose threads going into the printer. Now iron this edge again to make sure it is secure.

Now compose the label on the computer. I use the WORD program on my computer but could just as easily use one of the greeting card programs instead. The font style, font size, and font color can be adjusted to my liking here. If there is to be a scanned design, as from the fabric or a picture, paste the scanned item into the word document being created. Remember to have blank space for seam allowances for sewing the label onto the quilt later. Print out the label on regular printer paper to check for errors or see if anything should be changed. If you are going to have a smaller label you might want to pencil in the area you will use to make sure the printing goes onto the correct placement on the paper, before printing on the fabric/freezer paper combination. Check for those seam allowances. I like more than ¼”seam allowances for my labels. Remember you can choose the orientation of the printing: portrait or landscape.

Before printing the actual label go to the printer preferences on your computer. DO NOT use the Best quality for this project as it allows too much ink to be used and can smear the end result. I usually use the next level below the best quality.

Insert the fabric/freezer paper so that the printing will be on the fabric side. The “leading edge” is the edge of this combination to go through the printer first.

Iron the finished product to set the ink. Keep the freezer paper on the label til ready for use. When ready to use the label remove the freezer paper and proceed as you normally would.

Remember you can make sayings, poems, or other things on your label. The label can become a design element and be sewed into your backing in any manner you desire. You can frame it with small blocks mimicking the front or frame it with Broderie Persed fabric [that is a form of appliqué that follows the design of the fabric.] See below.


I have literally made thousands of labels as I make them for one of my quilting groups for our charity quilts. When I make a lot I request someone else do the washing and ironing of the material. Then a close friend and I cut out the material and the freezer paper at our homes and get together to do the ironing, trimming, and printing. We also iron after the printing to set the ink.

I know my picture is less than desired but hope it helps.

Some printer stores will let you use their printers. Check first before you go as some won’t allow this.

Of course you can always buy the sheets of prepared fabric for printers. Just costs more ... does take less time ... and you can't choose your own fabric with store bought printer prepared sheets.

Process developed by:
Alice Kraft
Phoenix, Arizona


emerald46 04-21-2011 03:57 AM

Thanks so much!

RUSewing 04-21-2011 05:06 AM

Question: This may sound dumb, but do these wash well?

AngieS 04-21-2011 06:22 AM

Wow! Thanks. :)

Up North 04-21-2011 06:28 AM

When I did it without bubble jet set and just heat set the ink it washed out. I suggest trying on a scrap first

carslo 04-21-2011 06:29 AM

wow thanks a bunch

Maggiemay 04-21-2011 06:33 AM

Thanks- Sounds easy enough!

AliKat 04-21-2011 08:30 AM


Originally Posted by RUSewing
Question: This may sound dumb, but do these wash well?

Well, we didn't use anything special other than not using any additives, not using the best quality printing, and the re-ironing afterwards. So far we haven't had any problems.

Remember this is with an ink jet printer only, though.

ali

winter012 04-21-2011 08:03 PM

Well, they sound good enough!!! I plan to use them!!

sandilee 04-22-2011 02:41 AM

Just what I have been wanting! Thanks for posting!

19angel52 04-22-2011 03:27 AM

Thanks for sharing! I've made my own for awhile....never used anything but Kona Cotton in white...works wonderful....color ink too....no fading to speak of....

thrums 04-22-2011 04:52 AM

Thanks for sharing.

stitchinwitch 04-22-2011 05:16 AM

Thanks - and it holds up thru lots of washings - like for a baby quilt?

Rettie V. Grama 04-22-2011 05:41 AM

What a wonderful idea. You could make several on one sheet of 8.5 x 11 sheets.

Thank you! I'm saving your instructions.

MelodyWB 04-22-2011 05:50 AM

Thanks a lot..good idea..never thought of it..should have as I do my pictures in the same way !! See your from Phoenix..I'm a quilter/desgner from Mesa!!

Treasureit 04-22-2011 05:57 AM

That was great - printed for easy reference!

GGinMcKinney 04-22-2011 06:22 AM

This is the method I use for my labels also. In working with a friend we now have 7 labels on 7 quilts. They have been attached and then quilted over.
Now, I discover a misspelling. The small "h" should have been a "n". Do you know any method to remove a part of a letter? I tried a toothpick with bleach then ammonia. My letters were heat set. Now, what?
HP ink does not seem to wash out. I printed on scraps and ran through washer before I began to use this process routinely. My stays very well without bubble jet and just using any cotton fabric I have.

Nancy Ingham 04-22-2011 06:57 AM

Thank you for sharing AliKat! I have printed it for future reference.

Rose Bagwell 04-22-2011 06:59 AM

Thanks

AliKat 04-22-2011 07:02 AM


Originally Posted by GGinMcKinney
This is the method I use for my labels also. In working with a friend we now have 7 labels on 7 quilts. They have been attached and then quilted over.
Now, I discover a misspelling. The small "h" should have been a "n". Do you know any method to remove a part of a letter? I tried a toothpick with bleach then ammonia. My letters were heat set. Now, what?
HP ink does not seem to wash out. I printed on scraps and ran through washer before I began to use this process routinely. My stays very well without bubble jet and just using any cotton fabric I have.

You might want to try a paint stix. Put some of the paint stix on another piece of freezer paper and then use a small paintbrush - toothpick possibly - and paint over the extended portion of the h. Or you could use acryllic fabric paint. It might be possible to create a design into the label with the paint and then remember to follow directions for the drying and heat setting of the paint.

ali

Crabby Patty 04-22-2011 07:58 AM

Thank you so much for the tute. I have been wondering how to do this on my computer. This is a good thing for us on a fixed limited budget. Thanks again.

Silver Sandy 04-22-2011 08:10 AM

Thanks for your lesson. It's fun to make your own labels to go with your quilt. Another tip - make a pillowcase with matching trim to put your quilt in. When they use it on the bed, the pillow cases will match.

KSue 04-22-2011 08:38 AM

This is a great tute - I was wondering how to do this - I did look at the labels in Joann's but decided they were too expensive. Thank you.

grocifer 04-22-2011 09:09 AM

Thanks Alikat -- I have only used the Printed Treasures method so am anxious to give this a try. Thanks for a great tutorial.

polly13 04-22-2011 10:41 AM

I thought I needed to buy a new sewing machine that will do embroidery. I am anxious to try this as I want to use my stash and kits before thinking about investing in a new machine. THANK YOU! Can't wait to try.

GGinMcKinney 04-22-2011 10:58 AM

Thank you, Ali. Guess it will be after Easter before I can try paint stik. We'll see what happens. I appreciate the suggestions.




You might want to try a paint stix. Put some of the paint stix on another piece of freezer paper and then use a small paintbrush - toothpick possibly - and paint over the extended portion of the h. Or you could use acryllic fabric paint. It might be possible to create a design into the label with the paint and then remember to follow directions for the drying and heat setting of the paint.

ali

misseva 04-22-2011 10:59 AM

I bought the pkg of fabric for the printer only to find that it is not washable!!! Boy was I disppointed. Don't remember name of stuff but it was pricey.

SewExtremeSeams 04-22-2011 11:49 AM

Thank you Alice. Love the verse also. Your tutorial is great! :-D

JJC 04-22-2011 12:01 PM


Originally Posted by AliKat
Making Your Own Quilt Labels


Use 100% cotton, usually tone on tone or otherwise some lighter color. Though darker fabrics and lighter print colors can used if desired. Personally, I prefer the lighter background fabric and either black, brown, or colored ink.

Wash the fabric without softener, using only plain unscented no bleach detergent – Arm & Hammer. You can even dry the material in the clothes dryer. Again, no softener or dryer sheets!

While this is going on cut freezer paper to the size you want to use. Generally I cut a 8 ½ x 11 ½+ sheet. Yes, that is a bit over 11 ½ long so the leading edge can be trimmed [I’ll explain further on.]

Iron the fabric without any additives such as starch, sizing, Best Press, or other such product. This is vital to the integrity of the finished label. The printer ink will not ‘take’ if there are additives used anywhere in the preparation of the fabric!

Cut the washed, dried, and ironed fabric to the desired size. Then iron the label fabric onto freezer paper with the wrong side of the fabric onto the shiny side of the freezer paper. After ironing these two together, let them cool, then trim what will become the leading edge of the fabric/paper with a rotary cutter so it is straight and @ a 90 degree angle to the sides. This eliminates any loose threads going into the printer. Now iron this edge again to make sure it is secure.

Now compose the label on the computer. I use the WORD program on my computer but could just as easily use one of the greeting card programs instead. The font style, font size, and font color can be adjusted to my liking here. If there is to be a scanned design, as from the fabric or a picture, paste the scanned item into the word document being created. Remember to have blank space for seam allowances for sewing the label onto the quilt later. Print out the label on regular printer paper to check for errors or see if anything should be changed. If you are going to have a smaller label you might want to pencil in the area you will use to make sure the printing goes onto the correct placement on the paper, before printing on the fabric/freezer paper combination. Check for those seam allowances. I like more than ¼”seam allowances for my labels. Remember you can choose the orientation of the printing: portrait or landscape.

Before printing the actual label go to the printer preferences on your computer. DO NOT use the Best quality for this project as it allows too much ink to be used and can smear the end result. I usually use the next level below the best quality.

Insert the fabric/freezer paper so that the printing will be on the fabric side. The “leading edge” is the edge of this combination to go through the printer first.

Iron the finished product to set the ink. Keep the freezer paper on the label til ready for use. When ready to use the label remove the freezer paper and proceed as you normally would.

Remember you can make sayings, poems, or other things on your label. The label can become a design element and be sewed into your backing in any manner you desire. You can frame it with small blocks mimicking the front or frame it with Broderie Persed fabric [that is a form of appliqué that follows the design of the fabric.] See below.


I have literally made thousands of labels as I make them for one of my quilting groups for our charity quilts. When I make a lot I request someone else do the washing and ironing of the material. Then a close friend and I cut out the material and the freezer paper at our homes and get together to do the ironing, trimming, and printing. We also iron after the printing to set the ink.

I know my picture is less than desired but hope it helps.

Some printer stores will let you use their printers. Check first before you go as some won’t allow this.

Of course you can always buy the sheets of prepared fabric for printers. Just costs more ... does take less time ... and you can't choose your own fabric with store bought printer prepared sheets.

Process developed by:
Alice Kraft
Phoenix, Arizona

Thanks for the great tutorial, will definately book mark this one.

MamaYitu 04-22-2011 12:44 PM

Thanks for sharing this. I tried one other tutorial. They suggested putting Elmers glue between fabric and freezer paper. I had so much trouble trying to print as it got caught every time. Then too, I didn't know I needed to wash and iron fabric first. So I will try again. Thanks much.

JoanneS 04-22-2011 01:44 PM


Originally Posted by RUSewing
Question: This may sound dumb, but do these wash well?

I did labels this way for several years UNTIL I found out from one of my giftees that washing gradually faded them. Now I go over the printing with Pigma pens.

beachbum3263 04-22-2011 02:01 PM

Thanks! This is a GREAT idea!!

aronel 04-22-2011 02:49 PM

Thank You for the wonderful tutorial!! Very informative!

GGinMcKinney 04-22-2011 03:44 PM

I made test labels and washed them several times in cold water. They held up well. I was using black ink. Now, I made a label with red ink in the icon on top and it runs with just a drop of water touching it. Tried fabric paint to clean it up and now have a mess.
Will go back to printing in black only.
Anyone else tried printing in colors. HP inkjet printer with HP ink???

spartan quilter 04-22-2011 08:51 PM


Originally Posted by Crabby Patty
Thank you so much for the tute. I have been wondering how to do this on my computer. This is a good thing for us on a fixed limited budget. Thanks again.

My thoughts exactly. Thanks again, so much.

khlrkat 04-23-2011 08:00 AM

Thank you for sharing

WVNana 04-23-2011 06:44 PM

Thanks. Good tute


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