Need help with fabric labels for quilts
 

I begin today to make the labels for the quilts I made for my grand kids for christmas. I splurged and bought a package of Tailor Sew-in COmputer PRinter Fabric...sheets where you print content out on the printer and then pull the backing off the paper/fabric and just sew it into the project...like a piece of fabric.

Cool thing I thought as I had tried other things and they left the block I made with it rather stiff, but still okay. But thinking of longevity...I slurged with my 50% off coupon and got this.

Now I am reading the back "fine print" and it says DRY CLEAN ONLY! Are you kidding me? Dry Clean a add-on fabric? These are quilts for kids, hopefully they will take care of them, but still...kids and laundry go hand in hand so the quilt has to be machine washable! So..have you used these before, can they be washed without ruining them?

If not...what have you all used for your labels? I want something large enough to write a little note kind of thing plus who made and to whom. I have tried just printing the writing out onto fabric (backed with the freezer paper) but then when washed...it fades to even disssapears.

Please help! I have 5 labels to make. I have a HP DeskJet printer..about 8 years old so it doesn't have any "new" stuff if needed to print them. I am ordering new HP ink cartridge so that will be ready to go. I used only black prior, but would like to do color this time. Thanks for any suggestions!

Oh...if you have a favorite site that has labels you can print out so I have design/color going on, please share

I can't help you with the printable fabric. I have my labels made by a QB member, Sewnsewer2. They are embroidered and they always turn out fabulous! Price is reasonable and she is just a sweetheart to work with. You could PM her if you are interested!

Good grief, I've never heard of that. I used to use the Bubble Jet Set & treat my own fabric for printing, and that's fine if you're doing alot, but if you just want a label here & there, the fabric needs to be used as soon as it's treated. I went to this site & read a few of the reviews, looks like you managed to find one of the few that needs (or says it needs to be dry cleaned) http://store.quilting-warehouse.com/...er-fabric.html If you think you will have a little extra, maybe try making a very small sample one & washing it to see the results.

I machine embroidery my labels. I had to do a lot of trial and error before I got one that turned out nice. I'm able to make a label with 3 or 4 lines of info. I tried the printer labels and the ink washed out no matter what I did to set the ink.

I also tried the ones you iron on and "color" with fabric ink pens - stilled faded.

I think I bought the same ones you did...realized I couldn't wash the quilt if I used the label and was so mad....I went searching and found some by printed treasures that I like better. The fabric is softer and it can be washed...it still has some requirements like low heat drying but, it should work better. I got it at Joann's using a coupon but I saw it on amazon too.

I've done labels with my inkjet printer a number of times and they are fine as long as you use an unbleached muslin type fabric and you heat set the ink with a dry iron on the highest setting. I've got the fabric stuff that you use in your printer, but it's like sewing through a vinyl tablecloth, and is really stiff, not very happy with that stuff. I also embroider my own labels for special quilts.

Well everyone... I took a piece of the fabric "dry clean only" sheets...typed out my label, iron set the ink and then put it in my lingerie bag and washed it as I would the quilt..warm wash warm dry. I took it out and..it was fine! Wrinkled, but tine! I did this on muslin once and the ink washed out. But other than the wrinkles..it was fine! So..what's the purpose of dry cleaning if it doesn't shrink/distort if you wash it? But, I dry ironed it, then spray starched it and other than having to watch pulling it as it is a bit stretchy...it was fine. I think to combat the wrinkles, I'll make the whole label and then wash THAT and see how that works. Tune in next week for the conclusion! But thanks everyone for suggestions. I used to ...back in the day...embroider ALOT but now as the twilight years are looming in my future... I just can't get my eyes to cooperate anymore or I'd do that!

Good for you, Coffeebreak! I think most of us who embroider our labels, use the emb. machine...today...but I used to do it by hand directly onto the backing. Many of my quilts were done that way--but didn't put as much info as I do with machine. So glad you got the print to stay permanent!