Labels on charity quilts
 

I am considering donating some quilts to a local woman's shelter. In the past, I have put labels on my charity quilts, but now I am wondering if that is such a good idea.

What do most of you do? The label I use is a very small one, but it does have my full name on it, not my city or state, it just says "Pieced and quilted by Dina __________. Not a good idea? Or is that okay? My charity quilts are probably all over the place with my name on them. I tend to give to Red Cross and a local child advocate shelter, plus I have donated quilts to Hurricane Sandy Victims, Oklahoma City tornado victims, and other such disasters that tear at my heart.

Should I change my label, leave it as is (I bought 100 of the ones I have been using, have about 40 left), or leave a label off?

Thanks for any input.

Dina

I don't see why you wouldn't have them on. I think it's alright. It's very nice that you donate to charity that much! Good for you!

I think it is okay to add your label. Since the groups you donate to have not advised against it, you should continue to label them.

I never label a charity quilt. Guess I just don't want my name on something that I don't know where it will end up. I don't think there is anything wrong with labeling them however if you want.

Yes, definitely! A hundred years from now, somebody is going to want to know the past of a quilt. Help them.

Well, maybe the next time you order labels, you might go with something like 'pieced and quilted by Dina' no last name. Sorry but I would not want my whole name out there. These days that might be too much info.

This makes sense. Thanks.

Dina

Although I understand your concerns, I think you're worrying unnecessarily. Our hyper vigilance is a sad reflection of the times we live in.

You have no idea where those quilts will end up - probably with grateful people who will have much more to worry about than Googling 'Dina ______'.

Even if an abusive partner were to see your name, it's unlikely s/he would seek you out. As you say, you don't put any information such as city or state.

I live in a small community and donated a raffle quilt to the local school. I haven't had anyone call me asking to make them one (but then again maybe no one liked it ;):D).

My labels always contain fiber content ( 100% cotton top, bottom. Dream poly batting) as an example. and care instructions, so I think labels are very important. I also include my name, city, state and year.

I know our local Quilts of Valor only allows first names. When a quilt is finished, everyone present gets to sign her first name to a label. That's it.

But I don't see anything wrong with a label containing your full name. These quilts go all over & no one knows where the quilt originated. And there may be someone out there saying a little prayer of thanks to Dina ______ !

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your comments. For the moment, I am going to continue adding this label.

Dina

When I do charity quilts for the foster kids, no labels are allowed. I prefer making quilts anonymously. It is just the way I feel.

I put a label on a donated quilt and was fortunate to have the mom that received it for her twin baby contact me with a personal thank you. I live in NY- she lived in FL. I have stayed in contact with this family for 5 years now, they have moved to CA.......that "baby" is like the granddaughter I don't have (yet?)....I send presents to those girls when the mood strikes, they are getting rag quilts for their birthdays this year. and only my name was on it, not an address- so this mom really wanted to find me--I'm so glad she did! I have made many for the organization I sent this to, and this one was the only one acknowledged.

I always put a label on my quilts. I say " Made and Quilted with love, my name and town I live in. I have donated quilts to be auctioned of to the cancers runs, etc. I think about 6 different charity's. Its always nice for them to know who made the quilt.

Your full name? Never. Washing instructions? Yes.

I embroider 3 small red hearts onto the edge of every quilt I make, wheather it is a charity quilt or a gift. The hearts symbolize my 3 kids (the heart of my life). One day, someone will recognize all the hearts, and I will have created a new mystery of the world to be solved!:p

If your full name on charity quilts makes you uncomfortable then don't do it. I prefer just using my 1st name and the year, fiber content & washing instructions (all are 100 % cotton & machine wash & dry) For friends/relatives I use full name, information. Of course those quilts could end up in a charity bin someplace also. But I feel comfortable doing it that way.

I put my name and quilt guild name on an Honor Flight quilt and the gentleman who received it sent a donation to our guild to buy more fabric to make more quilts.

I haven't labeled any of my quilts. I have thought about making a label that says "From my heart and hands to you" with just my first name. Maybe add city/state. For historic purposes, labeling is best ... so maybe I should give that some thought. Hmmm.

Since I am known all over the Internet and all entertainment sites as "madamekelly" that is what I put on any charity projects. My financial sites have no connection to madamekelly, so I feel safe using it. Madamekelly is my alter ego, and she is a crazy old bat who chops up fabric to sew it back together. Lol!

I thought about this as well. I ended up just putting the year and my initials. TMK 2015. I sewed them with my machine nothing fancy. (Teresa Meyer Keepsakes) I too ordered so small labels with my name on them. I think next time I order I am only going to put the "TMK then I can stay somewhat anonymous.

I made labels on ready to dye fabric. They were done on the computer for our quilt club.

"For Someone Very Special, from the Valley View Quilters"

When the quilt is just from me and I don't know where it's going, I just sign "From a friend".

When I belonged to a quilt guild which donated quilts to David's House, similar to a Ronald McDonald House at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital in Lebanon; they asked that we put labels on the quilts. I think it would be up to you, but I see nothing wrong with putting your "Pieced and quilted by ________" on the quilt.

I donated 50 to a local childrens hospital and made labels for each one. some were big, about 6" x 6",
one I recall was a train and the smoke boxed it in. on the inside I did my name and town, no one ever called me, so i'd do it.

Our guild encourages us to make charity quilts. What is usually put on the label is: Made especially for you by(the name of the guild) city and state, month and year. A care label is a good idea.

I don't put labels on my quilts. I doubt they will be around in 100 years. Without a last name the label really wouldn't tell anyone exactly who made it.

I would just put my intials. This way you can still be annoyous. Don't forget the year you make them too. This way they will still be appreciated. Most people don't care where they came from as long as they serve a purpose. Keep the person warm. But, it will bring perhaps, a question of who is "KW"? No one would even think of your name. This way no one can steal your identity or may someone accuse someone from stealing from someone. hope this helps ya.

Hey there Teresa, where do you get your labels from? I'd like to order some of those.

Our group used to quilt for charity, and we just put the group name and year, using our machines, on each one. Now that I'm not with the group, I use my machine to write - "A carefree quilt by Joy- 2015" at the bottom of the quilt. Then we know its an original, but the details are private. My donation quilts are my practice quilts - practicing a new block, or new quilting pattern, or both, and often scrappy. I try to relax and just try things out - hence the "carefree quilt" label.

Way behind on my reading, so just now came to this. I had labels made using my user name (RuthiesRetreat3), so they read "made especially for you by RuthiesRetreat3". I put them on all my quilts, and with the ones that are gifted, I ADD a special label. The small labels I always sew into the binding, on the back.

I never label charity quilts for safety reasons.