Labels
for Quilts
A label on your quilt serves not only as a record of
who and when, but as an identification of the item if it is ever stolen or
lost. A label can also contain care instructions for cleaning.
A label can go on either the front or back of a
quilt. It can be a part of the pieced design, or it can be a separate smaller
piece added on when the top is complete. For security I suggest that you either
use a light blank patch on the front of the quilt, or attach a label to the
backing BEFORE you quilt. Otherwise the label could be removed and your only
source of identification will be gone with no one the wiser.
To embellish the label you have a choice of
traditional cross-stitch or embroidery, or today's modern permanent pens. If
you use a pen, make sure you find one that specifically says it is for use on
fabric. Test it on a scrap to make sure it won't wash out. Whatever method you
choose, use the label area to write your name and date, and add a message if
you wish. Feel free to decorate the label with a border, curli-ques, or
flowers. Many clip-art books and software contain small decorations you can
copy or imitate.
You might also try printing labels onto fabric from
your computer.
Or you can download images to use as labels.
These
labels are offered in a black-and-white .gif format. Click on the name to view
each image. These are royalty-free images and may be copied for personal use.
They are, however, protected by copyright and may not be distributed as part of
another collection of images.
Stars
and Gingerbread Men
Floral
Edging
Teddy
Bears and Holly Sprigs
Large
Floral Bouquet
What to include on a label:
· Date: When the quilt was/is presented, or the period during which
it was made.
· Block Pattern name: if you know the name, or if you have created
an original piece.
· Your Name: you made it, take credit for it!
· Your town and state
· Name of the recipient
· Occasion for which the quilt is made: if there is something
special, like a wedding or anniversary it commemorates.
Verses for your label:
Every child should feel the love that is shared by a
handmade quilt.
A piece of my heart is being shared with you through
each piece of this quilt.
Remember me from this you see, a quilt of love from
me above.
A quilt sewn together with utmost care quilted
with love is a treasure to share.
"Dear old-fashioned quilts with your patches so
gay. You retain all the charm of an
earlier day. Like the old-fashioned garden our grandmothers grew. Our love
never wanes for them or for you."
Friendship is a tapestry woven through the years
with threads of joy and laughter, happiness and tears.
I count the stitches line by line; and watch the
thread record the time.
Love and memories we impart to quilt the fabric of
the heart.
"May the colors of your life be bright and the
threads in your life very strong"
May you be free from cares and woe when ‘neath this
quilt you seek repose.
May your sorrows be patched and your joys quilted.
May each person resting here find peace, sweet peace
and ne'er encounter pain ...Unknown
Quilts, like friends, are different, colorful, fun,
warm and comforting, and you can never acquire enough of either.
This quilt, wrought with so much love, Each tiny
stitch you see, Will be there when I am gone, Reminding you of me.
When I give to you what I make with my hands, I
share with my heart
I was thinking warm thoughts of you day after day,
as stitch upon stitch in this quilt I was taking. And I hope that the pleasure
you find in it may be as great as the
pleasure I found in the making.
Quilting is a scrap of Happiness!
"This
Christmas I made a quilt for my older brother. The sentiment that I added on
the label was this:
"May all of your
life’s ups and downs happen underneath this quilt’
A
store-bought blanket warms the body; a handmade quilt warms the soul.
"Many
faces, many smiles, remember me across the miles."
"Wherever
you wander, wherever you roam, be happy, live healthy, and be glad to come
home."
Using Your Computer to Print
on Fabric
WARNING: There is no guarantee with this process.
Several people have tried this and not had problems, there is always the
potential risk of damage to your printer. While many printers are adjustable
for thicknesses of paper, the manufacturers generally do not approve of you
putting fabric into them instead, and may void your warranty if they find out.
What you need:
· your printer --either dot
matrix or laser. Ink jet does not appear to work.
· your fabric (100% cotton
works best)
· freezer paper to stabilize
the fabric
· an iron and ironing board
1. Cut a piece of freezer paper to about 9x12
inches. Iron it securely to the back of your fabric. Trim your bonded fabric to
an exact 8.5 x11. There should be no loose threads or unsecured edges!
2. Feed the bonded fabric into your printer like you
would if you were doing a single sheet feed of paper. (Right side up if that is
how you normally do it, etc.)
3. Carefully move the printed fabric to the ironing
board and heat set it with your hottest dry setting. Use a scrap of cloth or
extra blank sheets of paper between the ink and the iron and ironing board, or
you may end up with ink on them, too!
-- These labels are washable, but may fade in time.
Test a sample before making your heirloom.
-- Remember to allow space around your graphics for
seam allowances.
-- Krylon Spray Fixative can be used to help prevent
printed fabrics from washing out.
