Making quilt labels

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03-31-2018, 06:43 AM

#11

Snooze2978

Super Member

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: Carroll, Iowa

Posts: 3,380

I've tried the fabric pens and after so many washings they seem to fade away so I only use them on my utility quilts for myself. I made embroidered labels for quilts I give as gifts.

03-31-2018, 12:11 PM

#12

madamekelly

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Posts: 7,695

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy

Hi! I have always used 'jelly roll' gel pens for writing on my quilt labels. After writing the label I then heat set the ink with the hottest iron temp which seems to set the ink pretty well. So far I have not had an issue with the ink washing out. With that said, all gel pens are not created equal.....some do wash out even after heat setting. I would suggest you make a test piece of fabric using your various gel pens, heat set them, then toss in the washer and see what it looks like after washing. I hope this helps.

When you are testing pens for permanence, write the name and color of the ink in addition to a wider mark with the pen, so if it stays, you know which ones worked best.

03-31-2018, 04:52 PM

#13

sxboyer

Junior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: La Pine, Oregon

Posts: 100

There is a jell pen out there that replaces the Micron for fabrics, it works really well. My local Quilt Shop had them.

04-03-2018, 08:20 AM

#14

grandma jo of 6

Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Mar 2015

Posts: 29

Thanks everyone. I'm going to try and heat set one to see where it goes. I'm going to learn how to use my embroidery machine in the next few months, so I will be able to use that for my labels. 💕

04-03-2018, 09:59 PM

#15

Vicki1212

Junior Member

Join Date: Jul 2014

Location: Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Posts: 265

I use gel pens on my labels and have never had a problem with fading. I do heat set them with my iron though. Just be aware that some of the colours hold up better than others so definately do a test. I bought about 5 different colours and wrote on a test label with each of them. I then heat set and followed up with a VERY rough wash i.e. I took that little label and scrubbed the life out of it

Although one or two of the colours did fade slightly, they didn't wash out as such. The other colours stayed bright and clear, especially the violet/purple one. Unfortunately I don't have the brand name with me (shhh, I'm at work).