Labels for quilts-- embroider or print???
 

Hey all,
I've been printing labels for my quilts using fabric that goes through my ink jet printer, then heat setting it. But from what I can tell by reading the instructions it may not be able to handle a lot of washing even after heat setting.

therefore, I've been thinking about an embroidery machine to do my labels. I don't do anything fancy, just the 1. title of the quilt (or the occasion and name of the recipient if it was made for someone in particular). Then, 2. pieced and quilted by me with dates of completion) then 3. My address, phone number and email.

These labels are usually pretty small, no more than 2" x 3" when printed. So for folks who have embroidery machines, would I be able to make that size labels with all the info on them, or does the stitching take up more room on the label than the printing does? I don't want to spend a lot of money since I don't anticipate doing anything other than labels with an embroidery machine.

Machines I am considering are the smaller Brothers, perhaps going up to the size of the PE770.

alternatively I could possibly use the built in fonts in my sewing machine, or maybe there is some way to reliably set the ink jet print so it is wash fast??.?

Any thoughts y'all might have would be greatly appreciated.

Rob

For that size label, I just use the built-in alphabet font that my Brother XR3240 has. It's simple with no fancy flair, but it's a label. If I want it larger, I either hand embroider or use fabric paints.

if you get it too small with an embroidery machine, the built in fonts may not sew out well.

I agree. Most built in fonts on an embroidery machine are 1/2" at their smallest. You can reduce them a little bit, but not much. You'd have to buy a smaller font design and I don't think I've seen any smaller than 1/4". then you'd need to use a thinner thread, 60wt, with a smaller needle to have them stitch out properly. most of my labels are at least 4"x6" with small fonts, it depends on how much verbage and whether or not I put a small picture design on it too or a frame around it.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]574049[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]574050[/ATTACH]

Cari

I do mine with the built in fonts on my Janome 6600. The lettering basically runs at 1/4"- ish per letter. Then I use some of the fancy embroidery stitches for a border to embellish, but really it's not that fancy, but it makes a respectable label. Ignore the disappearing purple pen for alignment that hasn't disappeared yet!

Thanks all.

Cari-in-only- those are pretty labels, but I see what you mean about size. Would dnefinitely have to go with a bigger label than I want.

Kwiltr- that's what I had in mind. I think I'll try using my sewing machine's built in fonts and see how they look.

Rob

Rob those were done with a built in font on a Janome emb. machine. I've done some with smaller purchased fonts but these were just the first two pics I pulled up. They are approx. 3x5 and 3x7.

Kwiltr I like your label. I don't have a sewing machine with built in fonts as I mostly sew with vintage, but I'm going to look for similar fonts for my emb. machines. More verbage in less space lol.

Cari

I have been printing them. I think it is quicker and you can get more info on them. The embroidered labels are beautiful, but I haven't don't it.

I haven't tried this product but I've heard it mentioned as a print stabilizer, Bubble Jet, I think. Maybe you can google it or do a search here. Sorry to be so vague. I'm going to look it up myself soon for a label on my brother in law's QOV. I want to add more information than I normally would, such as years of his service, military branch, etc. Please let us know what method you decide to use.

I've been using an embroidery machine to embroider right onto the quilt backing, before it is sandwiched and quilted. Machine quilting goes right over the embroidery like it's not there. No label for a thief to pick off.

I don't use labels. Instead I cursive quilt in the last few rows of a quilt what I would've had on a label.

I used to make all my labels with Bubble Jet Set. But I've found that, over time, the print washes away. So I'd suggest passing on Bubble Jet Set.

I bought an embroidery machine for just this purpose, a Janome 500. With this machine not only do I do labels, but I've used it to quilt a full and queen size quilt. I had to find more use for such an investment. Now, if I could figure a way to sew the label ON with the machine....I can't hand sew worth a darn and I know the label will come off after a few washings. Right now I sew it on a corner, anchored in the sewing of the binding but I don't like leaving the one edge unsewn.....it's a real ""toe catcher"!

Old School here.... I write mine with a super-fine fabric marker.

I bought a stamp pad and a stamp ( surrounded with lovely flowers). I just keep tracing copies of it with my micron pens and reusing the stamp. It's about 5 x 6" so I have lots of room to add info.

I use my embroidery machine and have had excellent success with labels that are 4 x 4.

The embroidered labels are very pretty, but I have always hand written mine, even if my handwriting is crummy. :-)

Mine are large compared to most, but I like to put lots of information.

I don't understand why you would want your name, address, phone number and e-mail address on on quilt label if you hare giving the quilt as a present. Did I miss something??

I do mine with my embroidery machine, and though they are no more than a 1/4" high, they still would take up more room than a hand written one.

I hand write or print mine as well, to me they feel like a personalized touch as I also like to doodle so will add something along with the pertinent info (name of quilt, year, place, my name and if it's special I may say to whom, but sometimes I use that as my quilt name...ex for my baby girl niece I called the quilt Welcoming Leah Rose)milked a flower or a raven or just a squiggle. In the future who knows, someone may look and say look at crazy great aunt vivian's handwriting! Could happen.

Thanks for the info, cindi.

i wondered the same question. I would never share personal info like that on a quilt label...if it's in hope of getting orders, I would attach a stringed tag or include my card.

I have done both, but after I got an embroidery machine I use it only. I like that better, but my labels are at the smallest 4x6. They will last longer than the computer printed ones. I could also use my Janome 6600 fonts but I've never been that pleased with them. All personal preferences.

Well just like someone just lost a box of quilts in Montana. Found alongside the road

How many labels do you make for a year? Would it be more practical to find someone with an embroidery machine and hire out?

For quilts that get get shipped to galleries and shows--- started doing that after some items were lost in shipping

LOVE this suggestion!!!!

If I'm making a wall hanging I print the label, probably not too much washing, but a larger quilt that I expect to be washed I use my embroidery machine. I know it will hold up better

I use the Bubble Jet method or the fonts on my machine unless it's for a special quilt then I get our member sewnsewer2 to make them for me. She does an amazing label!

I have a Janome 350E embroidery machine, but the built-in lettering is bigger than I want for a quilt label. I use my Digitizer software to create the label, so I can make it any size I want. (Of course, the software was pricey.) It would probably be cheaper, in the long run, to have someone make the label for you.

I've used fabric sheets for years, love them for pictures but I saw a quilt with all the information embroidered onto the binding!!! Was such an awesome idea and looked so cool!
If you set the ink on the fabric sheets after printing and they are dry with an iron, then you can let cool and do the cool water and air dry.. You will see if the ink has set, water will be clear.

I put all my info in the binding. I use the built in fonts on my Janome 6500. Fold your binding in half and I stitch in the info on it with the folded side towards the inside of the machine. I use embroidery thread. Put the binding on as usual and sew it either by hand or machine. This way all the info is there,no can take the quilt and rip off the label. I have been doing this for years and it is so much easier for me to do.

I don't have an embroidery machine and I'm not very good at lining up the fonts that my machine has to make my label on my machine and have it look good. I guess if I practiced the results would become better.

However, a local quilt shop will make an embroidered label for me for $10 or $15 in my choice of font, design and colours of thread. The labels always look great!! For me this is a terrific option and takes a lot of the stress away especially when the quilt is a gift.

I sew mine on entirely by machine catching the raw edges with attaching the binding and then use matching thread or invisible thread to straight stitch the rest. Most of the time it blends right in with the quilting and you don't even see it without looking for it.

I've embroidering my label for good forty years! It's great it doesn't fade or go anywhere. I embroidered on my backing Fabric! If anybody wants to rip, it will leave mark or hole!

I use my printer and special fabric to print my labels. My daughters wash my grand kids's quilts many times and are not really careful how they wash. The printing has faded but considering how the quilts are handled it is OK. Are you looking for an excuse to buy a embroidery machine and will you use it for other things. No excuse needed.

LOL-- no, not looking for an excuse, though I appreciate your no excuse needed sentiment.

I had been happily printing my labels on fabric meant for ink jet printing and heat setting them with my iron. Then one day I read the package instructions that said to do the heat setting and also another kind of treatment if they were going to be washed. Reading further in the label it said that even with both treatments the printed items should be washed in cold water only and No detergent. That's what made me start thinking about embroidering them instead.

Glad to to hear that your printed labels have held up to washing--- I think for now I'll stick to printing my labels and maybe playing around with the fonts on my sewing machine. I'm wondering if the instructions I read were maybe geared more toward people who are printing color photos on their quilts rather than black and white labels.

Rob

I agree! that seems too much information for me to give out to who knows who will get a hold of the quilt!

I love using my embroidery machine to make labels for my quilts. I also use designs for pillow cases, quilts, and designs on anything I can place one on to make it look nice. I think the labels make the quilt more professional.

I agree that a professionally-embroidered label makes the quilt appear more professional, but I also think that we all have to look at the professional vs. economical impacts -- I cannot afford to purchase an embroidery machine, period. With the quilts I've got on my plate right now, neither can I afford to have labels made. So, regardless of those issues, I do think it's important that we label our quilts. I do the best that I can, but I don't make quilts for a living; in other words, I'm not paid -- my quilts are made with love, and I would guess that most of us make our quilts with love. Please know -- I'm not criticizing anyone -- I'm just stating my circumstances. If I have time to embroider the backing, I'll do that, but time is frequently a limiting factor as well.