I admit that at the onset of my quilting journey, label-making was not a matter that interested or concerned me as much as it should have. I would quilt for hours, working to make the most pretty quilt only to forget to take photos of it or even write about it.
Eventually, there came a time when I understood how essential a personalized label is when it comes to a quilt, it is equivalent to a painter’s signature on a beautiful work of art. But it’s more than just an identifier; it is an embodiment of your work, it’s how you would like your audience to remember it, and it is the essence of the work. So, putting a label on my quilt was the most important moment because it made me believe it was now an inseparable part of me.
1. Why I Started Using Custom Nominated Labels for My Quilts?
Personal quilt labels are a great way to help people understand your quilt better. It is your opportunity to explain the quilt’s purpose, the creator, and the date it was created. Let me tell you about the very first quilt I made and gave away: it was for my sister’s big wedding day.
There was a little piece of fabric on it with her name and the date of the wedding. A few years later, she got it out of its box and told me it was one of the most wonderful presents I had given her. The quilt’s fabric became a quilt for her, with a lovely memory soaked into it.
2. Quilt Labels: What I Think Is Worth Putting Down?
When designing a quilt label, I usually think about several basic identifying circles and attributes. What I would normally write down is the following:
Occasion: In the instances where I specifically made the quilt as a gift for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries, I always add it. It is kind of helping me fold such emotions into the quilt and consider it more than a gift but rather a symbol portraying very special moments in life.
Recipient’s Name: If I’m giving away the quilt, I write the name of the recipient. This makes Cross Stitch Embroidery a bit more unique as it feels like carrying a tiny piece of someone else in stitches and cloth.
Quilt Pattern: I must admit I am somewhat of a quilting geek, so I am eager to identify the pattern I used. It’s another fun way of interacting with other quilters as it gives them an understanding of how that particular quilt was made.
Special Messages: It is always good to include a short phrase or inscription, as they can add a lot of impact. I have incorporated everything from a simple “Made with love” to a more emphatic one such as “To the best dad in the whole world”. These extra details or messages are what make the quilt more unique.
The purpose is to trace the roots of this quilt and I make sure that I make an effort to explain each and every detail that is essential and would give some value and attachment to the quilt.
3. How Labels Have Enhanced the Value and Meaning of My Quilted Works
A quilt label has a lot of value, not just in the work put in, but also in the emotions. Memories always bring warm feelings, so for example, I remember being quite excited about making a quilt for a family reunion. Many years later, it was even more exciting to see the label with the names of everyone who attended and the date.
This is something special as it acts as a memento of such an enormous occasion and can be handed to future generations. A quilt is something that I will always hand down to someone knowing that it will grow in value over time. People even appreciate it in their exhibits and how judges take great pride in the details as they funnel through the quilts foot after foot.
4. The Essential Materials and Tools I Use for Quilt Labels
Isn’t it funny that even though it is the basics of sewing folks never really appreciate this? I certainly did not see this in my early ventures so it was shocking to realize after a few attempts that fabric, thread, and stabilizer were the answer for stitching professional quilt labels.
Fabric Choices: Cotton and muslin are always my first options when designing a label. Cotton is a strong material and easy to manipulate; and with muslin, I can create clean lines when embroidering. But there is just something about attaching the fabric scraps from the quilt that appeals to me — it is all about the narrative of the quilt, which allows every element including the label to highlight all the parts of the body of work.
Embroidery Supplies: I have firsthand experience that premium threads are essential. In the past, I have utilized cheaper threads, and it resulted in faded and not very durable labels. Good embroidery threads make big differences in the overall perspective of appearance. Needles and hoops are also a must; don’t even think about omitting them if you wish for the finishing touch to look crisp and sharp.
Fusible Interfacing and Stabilizers: This is what allows the neat, flawless-looking finishes that are almost professional. Blessed with fusible interfacing—this makes sewing much easier, as it increases the rigidity of the fabric. Stabilizers provide tension across the whole piece and stop the possibility of any puckering fabric. I have spent hours on my board just to harvest the joy of constructing only to discover that the material was extremely loose and the stitches were scattered everywhere. Stabilizers are my salvation.
5. My Process for Design Planning and Preparation of Quilt Labels
A little bit of planning goes a long way. I make an effort to sit down and consider each label design as if it were a quilt. This is my general strategy:
Choosing Label Size and Shape: This step is the first obstacle for most people, and it is for me too. I normally prefer a label of approximately 3×4 inches. It is modest so as not to dominate the quilt, yet large enough to hold all the required information. Shape-wise, I have used rectangular, ovular, and round labels. Usually, the style matches the quilt, but I prefer to make it simple. Sometimes a beautiful shape is more distracting than the quilt itself.
Selecting Typefaces and Design Elements: This is probably the best and one of the worst parts at the same time. I love pretty fonts, but the font has to be legible. I would use a decorative script to write the name or title and a simple, block font for the other information. For instance, when designing a quilt with certain themes, I like to use little flowers or shapes that go with the fabric design theme so it all looks together.
Preparing Fabric with Interfacing and Marking Guidelines: Now, this might be the most tedious section and the one that requires the most attention. I wash my fabric before preparing it to eliminate shrinkage in the future. I also place interfacing at the back to secure the fabric, and a guide pen’s use is minimal for marking lines. Since I get so paranoid about the symmetry, I have to make these marks as they will help me balance the design owing to its cluttered nature.
6. The Machine Embroidery Methods I Use for Perfect Quilt Labels
For machine embroidery, I tend to go quite easy. There is no rush regarding this stage.
Setting up Your Sewing Machine for Embroidery: This one is a lesson that has many ramifications, and it is establishing a good setup and maintaining accuracy. I make sure my machine’s tension is right and that the hoop is fastened firmly. When I ignored these particulars, I misfired way too frequently.
Tips for Achieving Clean, Professional Lettering: I always use legible sources for small lettering as size is very vital in this case. I have experienced skipped stitches in the past, so I always practice with a piece of fabric before any major operations. Some say patience pays but in this case, steady and slow is key. I always let the machine work to its liking as certain stitches require the right amount of time to be executed.
Troubleshooting Common Machine Embroidery Issues: This is the point in time where I’ve felt my frustration up to the roof. Whenever the fabric begins to pucker I check if I am using the right stabilizer. Thread breaks? I re-thread the machine as well as the needle. It’s all about making adjustments and solving issues as they arise.
7. Hand Embroidery Techniques I Swear By for Quilt Labels
Hand embroidery is the final detail that I finish with great pleasure, particularly for special quilts. I look forward to doing it although the process is quite slow.
Basic Embroidery Stitches for Lettering: I utilize backstitch for clean edges, stem stitch for some dynamic flair, and split stitch for the more rounded lettering though as a rule I will always practice first before proceeding to the final piece. Where possible I practice first before transferring to the final piece.
Creating Decorative Borders and Embellishments: I also prefer to include some embroidery characters in my labels such as chains, French knots, or lazy daisies. This is a fun way to add some finishing touches to the label without making it too much for the quilt to handle, yet the label remains noticeable.
Tips for Maintaining Consistent Stitch Quality: For instance, I always work in lighted areas, and tighten up my fabric within the hoop. This helps me to achieve even tension thereby making sure that neat stitches are achieved.
8. My Techniques for Finishing and Attaching Quilt Labels
Having experienced some quite chaotic finishes, I make a point of finishing the edges of the label as neatly as possible. Although it includes tucking the edges underneath, covering, or serging, I try to do it in an orderly manner. The last thing I would ever want is for the label to get unraveled after all the hard work has been done.
Ways Of Finishing Label Edges: Most of the time I put the edges under but sometimes, some dazzling effect is required and I have to bind the edges. In cases where I am pressed for time, I might use a serger because it gives a quick and professional-looking edge.
Methods Of Attaching Labels To Quilts: Hand stitching, Machine stitching, Fabric glue, and so on. I prefer hand stitching because that makes it more personal and takes a bit more effort. I prefer to fasten the area at the bottom right-hand corner which usually does not interfere with the design of the quilt.
Label Placement For Quilts: Placing one on the bottom right-hand corner looks good but at times, the label is sown in a way that it can be seen on the binding. I have also stuck it on a block and then used it as part of the quilt and thus made it a motive.
9. My Last Stitch of Love: Finishing and Attaching Quilt Labels
Creating a quilt label is not just about completing the task; it is about putting the last stitch of love, history, and oneself into one’s work. Every time I stitch a label, it feels like my signature, and a part of me is attached to the quilt that I have made. Whether it is a gift to a family member or a friend, or just one I constructed for the sake of quilting, the label represents a fragment of the history- my history.
So, the next time you finish off a quilt, do not forget to make a label. Consider it as a chance to explain to anyone why the quilt is important, who the quilt is intended for, and what you have extended to make the quilt. Indeed, a quilt without a label is like a book without a name – appealing but incomplete. And believe me, when you put on that label, you will be truly pleased that you have finished something nice and worthwhile.
