Tutorials - Making Quilt Labels

Making Great Quilt Labels

First of all there is no wrong way to label your quilt. I have seen some really creative, fun label ideas that are amazing (check Pinterest) and gifting quilts with fun, more personal labels is a great way to really make the gift special. My labels tend to be a bit more business minded. I need the label to be clear, informative and most importantly, difficult to remove. But this technique can also be used to make a fun label with pictures and fancy fonts, easily and professionally.
Information for your label:
Your name, your town and the date. If the quilt is a gift, make the label personal by using their name, the occasion, a special saying or poem that is meaningful to the recipient. Photos can also be added for memories. Make it fun!

		I love to use the EQ Printables for Inkjet printers. These are 200 thread count cotton fabric 'pages' cut at 8.5in X 11in which fit perfectly in the printer. Plus the fabric is backed with a stiff plastic film which allows the sheets to go through the printer, but then are easily removed before attaching the label. They provide an amazing way to make great labels without having to worry about your calligraphy skills. Each page can make 4 quilt labels, so I usually do them either two at a time or four at a time. You can also use half the page or the entire page if you wish, depending on the information, pictures, poems or sayings that you wish to have on your label. You can find the EQ Printables here on our website. They are available as a single sheet or a package of 5 sheets.

		On my computer I use a word document to create my labels. For my purposes, I make four labels at a time by creating a document with 2 columns, lots of space around the edges and between to allow for seam allowances. Using the computer gives an abundant amount of fonts and colours that can be used while adjusting sizing to make sure it is exactly what I want before it is printed. Adding photos, can be easily completed as well. Print a TEST page on regular paper. Then make any changes necessary before printing on the EQ Printables. EQ recommends that once printed, let dry, peel off the plastic backing and soak in cool water for 10 minutes. Dry completely. Tips: - Choose clear fonts. - Make sure the font size is not too small. - When added photos, make sure they are good quality.

		What do you do with the leftover ends of the quilt's binding fabric? Well, I like to join it on the two inside edges of my new quilt label. This finishes it nicely, and matches the quilt. The other two edges (as shown in the photo) will be sewn at the quilts edge, under the actual binding. Remove the plastic backing on the EQ Printable. Cut the binding fabric to 1-1/2" wide. Length will be determined by the size of your label: Measure across the top and down one side. Add 2 inches to this measurement. Since my label is placed in the lower right-hand corner on the back of the quilt, the fabric is placed on the LEFT and the TOP of the label. Using a single layer of fabric, with right sides together and 1/4" seam allowance, stitch the fabric strip to the edge of the quilt label just as you would join the binding on a quilt. Do not trim the long ends yet.

		On the wrong side, carefully press the fabric over to the back as shown. The corner will form a 45-degreen angle. Carefully fold the remaining side over and press keeping the iron on the fabric only or use a pressing sheet to protect thelabel. The fabric will form a nice point at the corner as shown.

		Position the completed label on the back of the quilt, placing the two unfinished edges at the quilt's corner so it can be stitched in using the binding seam. Pin to secure the label, but do not place pins in the way. From the front of the quilt, follow the stitched binding seam, and sew right over it to secure the label. I have used black thread so you could see the seam. Please use coordinating thread! lol.

		With the same method, stitch down the side of the quilt...BUT fold back the corner of the binding (as shown) and only stitch as far as you can go without jeopardizing the quality of the binding corner. The label will be fine. Stitching the label in this manner, secures it in place before the binding gets stitched. Therefore these edges will be hidden once the binding is in place. It will also secure the label making it difficult to remove. See how nice the edges of the label are with the binding fabric? When hand stitching the binding, don't forget the stitch the two edges of the label being careful to take shallow stitches so they won't show on the quilt's front.