How to make an Awesome Quilt Label

I am going to be doing a class on quilt labels - so I thought I would share my handout with you.  It's amazing how many Quilt makers don't label their quilts.  You have created a piece of art.  That art is infinitely more valuable with your signature on it.  That quilt will be handed down to generations to come and they will want to know the year it was created and better yet see your handwriting.  I have created a collection of Awesome quilt label stamps which are super easy to use - to see them, visit my website:  www.cowgirlquiltdesigns.com.  They are only $10 per stamp and are so easy to use (my favorite part).  Here is my handout, feel free to use it or share it with any fellow quilters.

 Tips & Tricks for making Awesome  Quilt Labels

A quilt is a work of art, but so many quilts lack the most important thing any piece of artwork should have –the signature of the artist!  Or in this case, a quilt label.   After reading these tips and tricks, you’ll be inspired to include a quilt label on all your quilts. 

             WHY LABEL?  he first reason to label is to preserve, document and share the history of quilts and their makers.  It’s even more meaningful if that documentation includes some of your handwriting (don’t be afraid it won't look perfect, it’s you and your family will love it!)  A quilt is an important part of any family’s heritage.  Think of grandma’s or great-grandma’s quilt…hopefully they are labeled, if not when they are passed down that history will be lost.  I have several quilts that my grandmother made in the 1920’s.  How I would love to have had her document the year and her signature on those quilts.  I treasure pieces my great grandmother pinned a tag to which included her signature and the date. It’s so interesting, the handwriting from the early 1900’s looks quite different then the handwriting of today. The second reason to label is to protect your quilt and allow it to be returned to you if lost or stolen.

The Basics: 

1.      If your quilt is washable, your label should be too.  Chose a smooth-surface, high quality, 100% cotton fabric.  Permanent ink pens perform better on all cotton fabrics then blends.  Prewash the fabrics to remove any sizing which could act as a barrier to ink penetration.

2.       Select a color that allows the ink to show through.  White on white fabric is not recommended as the design is usually painted over the white fabric and the paint acts as a barrier to the ink.

3.      Use fabric markers or a Gelli Roll pen (available at Office Supply Stores) in non-metallic colors.  When ironed to heat set, these inks become permanent and can be washed and dried. 

4.      Stabilize the fabric to create a smooth writing surface.  This can be done in two ways:

a.      Fusible:  Use your favorite brand of paper backed fusible and iron to the back of your fabric.

b.      Freezer Paper:  Cut a piece of freezer paper large enough to cover the fabric's writing area. Iron the freezer paper waxed side to the fabric's wrong side with a hot, dry iron.

5.       Write on your label a bit more slowly and with a lighter touch  than you normally do.  This allows  time for the ink to flow into the fabric.

6.      Heat set your label.  Iron on cotton setting for one minute (this is a long time) – or put into the dryer on the high setting and let run.  This will make your ink permanent so you can wash and dry.

Stamping your Label:    The easiest way to create a label is to use a quilt label rubber stamp.  Stamplates Label Me Grand has five different styles to choose from. The pictures here show 2 of the 5 styles.  It shows the rubber stamp face and what the stamp looks like when it is stamped on fabric.  Here are my tricks to get a great stamped label every time:

1.      Prepare your fabric for your label, following the tips above.

2.       Use Pigment Ink:  The two most successful inks are Color Box Pigment Ink and Staz-on Fabric Ink.  I tested over 16 different types of ink and these two consistently perform the best.  Dark colored ink always works best:  use black, brown, Hunter Green , dark purple or red.

3.       Place the stamp on a flat surface, design up.  Hold the ink pad between your thumb and fingers and pounce the ink over the top of the design.  Now stamp the design on the fabric.

4.       Iron for one minute to heat-set. 

5.       Write on the fabric with the Gelli-Roll pen – use your regular handwriting even if not perfect – your descendants will love to see your actual writing and comments.  Again, iron for one minute to heat set and make permanent.

6.       Have fun with embellishments.

a.         Use the foiling and glitter pen to add foil or glitter highlights.

b.       Use fabric markers to add color

c.        Add sequins, beads and charms

d.       Encase a coin from the year you made the quilt between 2 pieces of  Angelina Film and iron and sew the coin "package" to the label or next to the label.

e.  Cut a motif from the fabric and add it to the label by fusing and stitching.

7.       Cut out your label and fuse and top stitch onto the back of your quilt.  If you’ve used the freezer paper method of stabilizing, remove the freezer paper, turn under the edges and blind stitch to your quilt.