Quilt Label

Making a Quilt Label

BACK: Quilt Binding

A quilt label showcases the quiltmaker...YOU! It also provides identificaiton should your quilt become lost or stolen. Most importantly, future generations will have documentation of your treasured heirloom.

Get in the habit of labeling EVERY quilt.

Although I've given you instructions for making a basic label, there's no law that says you can't design your own. Whatever you decide, check out the following links for ideas and inspiration. Enjoy.

Dozens of Designs

In this lesson, we'll make a basic quilt label with fabric and pigma pens. But if you want more variety, try using premade designs like iron-ons, stencils, peel and stick, and pre-printed fabric labels.

I enjoy using my Custom Quilt Label Kit by Hewlitt Packard. This software program lets you create one-of-a-kind labels on your computer. Just customize your design, then run your fabric through the printer. Bingo, you're done.

Creative Ideas

Amer. School-Iron-On Transfers For Quilt Labels

Create to your heart's content with fabric photo transfers, paint, embroidery, cross stitch, whatever you want! That's the beauty of quilting...you're the designer.

I personally enjoy using iron-ons. You just press, peel and color the design. What could be simpler? As a beginner, you might want to consider this option.

Ready to make our basic label? Let's get started.

What to Include on Your Label

Name of quilt

Your Name

Address (or just city and state)

Date of Completion (the year is most important)

Recipient's Name

Optional Information

Story or Inspiration for Making Quilt

Quilt Sayings or Poem.

Just about anything you can think of. Be creative!

Important Tips

Make a draft first. Draw a 6" square on a piece of paper. Fill in the details. Make sure your lines are evenly spaced.

The Freezer Paper Sheets stablize your fabric, so it won't slip while you're writing. The sheets are a lot easier to work with than freezer paper on a roll.

What You Need
One Fat Quarter or � Yard of:
Light-colored fabric or muslin (prewashed and pressed).
Plastic coated Freezer Paper Sheets.
Pigma Micron Pen Set - 6PK

Step 1

Cut your fabric and freezer paper to measure 6 �" x 6 �".

Step 2

Position fabric, wrong side up, on ironing pad. Place freezer paper (shiny side down) on top of fabric.

Place Fabric Wrong Side Up on Ironing Pad

Step 3

With iron set on medium-high, press label for about 5 seconds.Let cool. Keep freezer paper attached.

Place Fabric Wrong Side Up on Ironing Pad

Step 4

Place your label right side up (fabric side). With a fabric pen, draw a line on all four sides, 1/4" from raw edge.

Mark 1/4

Step 5

With your Pigma Micron Pen Set - 6PK transfer your information to the label. Avoid writing inside the marked lines.

HINT: To keep your writing lines straight, draw lines on the back of the label (the freezer paper side). You'll see them on the front side.

Transfer Information to Label

Step 6

Press the fabric side of quilt label. This sets the ink. Let cool.

Press Fabric Side of Label

Step 7

Peel off freezer paper.

Step 8

Using the lines you drew in Step 4, fold top and bottom edges toward back side. Press.

Fold and Press Top and Bottom Edges

Step 9

Fold sides toward back. Press.

Fold and Press Sides

Step 10

Position and pin label to quilt back. Leave at least 2" between the label and the edges of your quilt. See illustration. Slipstitch into place.

Pin Label to Back and Slipstitch

Congratulations! I'm sure your quilt label looks fantastic. Now that you're done, submit a photo of your quilt to my "Student Quilts Photo" page. Let the world see what a wonderful piece of art you've created. And, if you enjoyed my lessons, please tell us about it. We'll post your comments as well.

I've enjoyed teaching you how to sew a quilt. Hopefully I've inspired you to pursue more challenging projects. Thank you for letting me share my love of quilting with you. Happy Quilting!

BACK: Quilt Binding

Return to Sew A Quilt Home Page

footer for quilt label page