there has been alot of topics this summer about quilters wanting to sell their quilts-
and do i label my quilt?

well= there are laws that say---if you are going to sell ANY HAND CRAFTED TEXTILE ITEM it must contain a label- and their are certain things that must be included on that label--

US Labeling Laws You Need to Know About When Selling Your Handcrafted Apparel Items

You've probably noticed labels on clothing you have purchased but may not have realized that an individual crafter is required by US government regulations to attach the same types of labels to handmade apparel items made by the crafter (which are for sale), the same as any large clothing manufacturer is required to do.

you need to visit the United States FTC (fair trade commission) and read the requirements- always protect yourself- their are fees- (reprocussions) for not following the rules---you might think well- no one will never really know---but you never know---and is it worth getting fined for??? it is a simple matter to attach a label to your crafts---
the label HAS TO INCLUDE FIBER CONTENT: if you use poly batting and cotton top/bottom the label needs to say so
it also HAS TO INCLUDE CARE INSTRUCTIONS...
these are required by law on any textile item made and sold in the U.S. (other contries have other laws-if you are outside the U.S. you should check on your requirements---they are world wide) they also apply to knitted/crocheted items---any textile item made and sold.
so if you are trying to make a little money- protect yourself- check the rules- it does not cost anything to put a label on your item- it may cost you ALOT to skip that set.

I sold some quilts a couple of years ago in a craft show and labled them, so the buyer would be informed. I didn't know I was complying with the law. Thanks

great, now the feds are coming after Grandma for selling her handmade mittens....lol..

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

But thanks for the info. I didn't know about it.

Yep I thought I seen a Fed at the last craft show I went to! Very strange this lady was. She was trying to blend in, but can you really blend when you show up in a vintage pink Buick wearing a pink suit? Very suspicious to say the least. I dont know but she might have been looking for illegal aliens also.

she may have been a Mary Kay makeup consultant lol

Learn something new everyday!!

Thanks for the info. It comes at the right time as I am getting ready to put some of my items for sale at a retail location.

Also sometimes those Feds or other licensed product reps are at shows to see if licensed products are being sold without the proper license. Such as Harley Davidson, Honda, and such. If you don't have the license to sell their products or anything with their logo/label on it, you will be fined and they can take ALL of your product and shut you down!

Something to keep in mind when using some fabrics in your items. Even some fabrics are labeled 'Not for resale", "for personal use only".

QUiltingGrannie

Just another example of Big Brother watching you. I'm sorry - this just ticks me off as it seems the government (most of who are idiots) is overly concerned with this small stuff as opposed to actually running the country. Ridiculous! Just sayin' .............

The labeling applies to clothing and "certain piece goods" which is a ver ambiguous term. Much of the content of the regulations have been changed also and several modifications are being considered right now. When you see "official" looking people at quilt shows, fairs etc. they are checking for licensing and or tax id numbers to make sure sales tax is being collected. This took place at our quilt show this Spring. i dont think quilters have anything to worry about. The FTC is really more focused on large manufacturers than us.

besides making sure you are not using Licensed fabric, or a copyrighted pattern, you need to read up on the CPSIA guidelines!

It is NOT about big brother watching you to bust the little guy...it is about oh let us say LEAD content, flammable materials, etc..

when you the consumer buy bedding/clothing etc, do you NOT read the labels to make sure you are not buying something you know is dangerous to your health? Labeling your art/craft items is no different!

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.pdf

Here Here! I would like to hear from just one person in the whole world that sold a quilt or mittens that was caught and fined by the labeling police. We have become a paranoid people. We scare ourselves into a frinzy and blame the government for our own fears.

I say if you If you want those mittens and are scared of not knowing the material content, don't buy them. Plain and simple.

And yes there are very important reasons for labeling. most of all the regulations put forth by our government are to protect us from dangerous ingredients and even with it we are not 100% safe. Consider that manufacturers used to use formaldihide as a preservative in fabric and we never knew.

JACIQ' has the right idea

wow, first there was "Men in Black", now "Ladies in Pink"!! :roll:

TO Mary Kaye leaders have pink cars and wear pink suits. I doubt an investigator would be so obvious :)

My first thought was - not a FED - MARY KAY!

There are lots of laws on the books that are not enforced. This isn't something that's going to get my panties in a wad or cause me to change my ways.

Ditto. They'll have to take me to quilters jail then. Though, I've not heard of one quilter that was sent to the pokey due to not labeling fiber content.

the rules about textile labeling is really nothing new- no reason to become indignant about it- the laws were put in place decades ago- to protect us from purchasing things that may be harmful---
and some people have serious allergies to different fibers- would you not feel horrible if you made a quilt and used something in it- did not identify it- and someone died because of that allergy???
i would be devestated!
these laws are world wide (although some countries are alot stricter than the u.s. about it)
if you visit the About.quilting site and search for labeling your crafts link you can read all you need to know- but it is not a new (big brother) being nosy issue===it is world wide safety measures...

I am assuming that the fiber content would help people with allergies - I thought that quilt labels only had to name & date completed

I would think the person with life threatening allergy would not be around places that would have the items that would cause their death much less buy one, label or no label. That is just common sense. Same with the labeling. Use common sense. How many handmade cloth items are made with dangerous fibers anyway?

Heh! It's been happening for YEARS at craft fairs....this not labeling things.

People with allergies are gonna ask before they buy something that's not labeled...it's a way of life for us.

I figure that if they want to fine me for not labeling, then so be it. Register to sell on that website and pay their fees, and you might as well hold a beacon over your head and ask for trouble.

I think flamability may be a reason along with fiber content for labeling. A lot of the fabric for sale actually states on the bolt 'not to be used for children's sleepwear'.

wow- i am really sorry i bothered to let any of you know --- even though this has been around for decades- protecting us from (bad stuff) mostly from other countries---and has nothing to do with 'big-brother watching' or the quilt police- it is simply a safety issue i thought people wanting to break into the (retail sale) of their crafts should know about-
everyone always takes their chances---
with safety issues, copy right issues, all kinds of stuff---
just trying to pass on information to those who care about doing things ethically (and legally)

never apologize for trying to do the right thing or for trying to help others.

personally, i am grateful for the reminder.

I prefer to think the labeling applies to items that can be 'mass produced'. IMHO Quilts do not apply.

I thank you for the info. It has been in-lighting.

Thank you! You are kind to take the time and trouble to post this information.
May God bless us all this day!

Thanks for this info. Just passed it on to a friend that sews skating/re-enactment costumes/etc. so that she will be aware.

thanks for the info

Me too! Can't imagine a Fed wearing a pink suit and pink Buick. I imagine them in a conservative suit of some kind. Or dressed like everyone else so they don't stand out.

Amen to that!

I always tack a material and care label to ones I sell

hmm. I don't normally sell my stuff and if I do its not going to be clothing. But if bags and quilts need to be marked too its good to know. I put labels on my quilts but not as far as content.

There are lots of places where people sell their quilts (eBay, Etsy, Artfire, etc...) and the description always mentions "cotton top, poly batting" etc...... Customers want this information before they will make a purchase. At craft shows, it's a little different, and quilts aren't usually marked with fabric content... BUT.... the person selling it can always tell you what was used in making the product. Most people can tell the difference between a cotton batting and a poly batting just by touch, and they purchase a quilt based on the way they would prefer it to look (flat or puffy).

I agree with ube... If it worries you, don't buy it. There are WAY too many regulations on businesses these days, and that's what has caused America to lose jobs to other countries. Responsible business owners who are TRYING to do everything the right way (and pay all of their taxes) are being punished by these new "surprise laws", and the fines are enough to make many of them close their doors. What ever happened to common sense? Oh, that's right.... I heard it's dead. I also heard that there's "no such thing as the Quilt Police", but now I'm rethinking that one, too....

Think what you like, but quilts are specifically listed as covered under the law, as are all entities that make them...individuals included. You are welcome to your opinion, but that does not change the facts. And unlike the copyright laws, this one is quite explicit.

Formaldehyde is still used as a finish in fabric manufacturing, quilting fabric included. There's no "used to" about it.

Maybe she was selling Mary Kay (ha, ha).

The feds can't get their own content straight. Why worry about mine? By the way, I tear the labels off my pillows and mattresses. I know they're comin' for me!

Yes, I noticed some "suspicious looking men" at the Lancaster Quilt show and figured that's what they were. My DDIL wants to sell stuff at some craft shows and wants me to sell some quilts, so this is an appropriate time for this topic.

too funny....remember the Saturday Night Live skit where someone tore the label off the end of their mattress and the mattress police rolled out from under the bed and wrote them a ticket??? toooo funny :lol: :lol:

Everyone takes risks breaking different laws....most of us drive 5 mph over the speed limit, knowing that in most jurisdictions it isn't worth the policeman's time and energy to write you a ticket for going 5 mph over. I don't think that if someone doesn't label their product content when selling means they aren't ethical....maybe, like us all, just think it is a law that means little to them, like speeding, and decide to take their chances.

Now, I don't sell anything I make, and if I did, I don't really know what I would do about labeling.......but if I chose not to, it doesn't mean I am of questionable character.......

Nice to know. :)