Quilt Label-along challenge & GIVEAWAY

Hello lovely quilty peeps! It’s the new year and a good time to start some good new habits. I just did a guild talk at the Vancouver MQG on quilt labels to get our members into the good habit of labelling their work. I decided to share the info here too in case you needed a little nudge. I challenge you to label some quilts this year. The goal is to inspire you all to label your quilts and I have a lovely prize as incentive! Read on…

There are so many ways to create labels, and lots of online tutorials. This is more a summary of my faves than a tutorial, as there are too many techniques listed to explain in detail. (Google away for video tutorials if needed.)

Why put a label on it?

• QUILT SHOWS: These usually require labels to record the makers details to prevent loss or confusion between entrants.
• DOCUMENTATION: Whether the quilt is being made for an event such as the birth of a baby or a wedding, it’s a great way to document the details such as the event date, birth weight, location etc.
• STORY TELLING: I use labels on my craftivism quilts to document the quilt’s inspiration, historical events or story behind the quilt.
• FAMILY HEIRLOOMS: There’s a good chance that your quilt will outlive you! And since you might not be around to tell the story of your quilt, your label can do it for you for years to come.
• GIFT CARD: A label is a great opportunity to add a note for its recipient if you are giving it away. A message of love, inspiration or encouragement that they might read when snuggled underneath it. 
• SIGNATURE: Some quilters consider their quilts to be art, and the labels are their signature. Whether you do or not, you put a lot of work into that handiwork of yours, you may as well sign it, right?!
• INSURANCE – if you ever lose the quilt there’s a chance it might find it’s way back to you, if it’s finder knows who you are. No label = no chance!

Where should the label go?

Unless you are entering it into a quilt show that has specific requirements, there really are no rules. It’s most common to stitch a label onto the back right corner, however it can really go anywhere. In the old days quilters even used to stitch their initials into the piecing on the front. You can piece the label into the quilt, appliqué it on after quilting, stitch it into the binding, or embroider it onto the binding or even quilt a subtle label into the quilting. They can be any shape or size. Some shapes such as corner triangle labels can double as a hanging device for a wall quilt. 

What info should I include?

Well that’s really up to you, and depends on what the quilt is for. Usually it includes the maker’s name/s, date and location made. You might also like to add: the quilt’s name, the long armer’s name (if you had help with that), the quilt design, your web address or instagram handle. If it’s a gift you can note the recipient’s name too. If you are documenting information such a baby’s birth then the birth stats can be fun. Then creative extras might be an image, a photograph, a quote or something sentimental to you or the recipient.

Let’s look at a few label making techniques…

Handwritten:

PROS: easy & inexpensive, personally handwritten

TOOLS: Fine-tipped permanent marker (My fave brand: PIGMA Micron pen, others have recommended the Sakura Identipen)

This is just like hand-writing a note excepting that it’s on fabric which is then applied to the quilt. You can draw a picture, stitched, appliquéd or ironed on to the quilt.

Preprinted labels:

PROS: easy, personally handwritten

TOOLS:

• Panels or yardage bought at quilt shops or online at Spoonflower.
• Fine-tipped permanent marker.

These are easy to fill in pre-bought labels that you just fill in. Cynthia Frenette has a great selection of modern ones over at Spoonflower.

You can also buy garment style labels printed with your name or logo. Here are some cute ones printed on satin label stock by a little Etsy company called Miss Label. She’s offering you a 10% discount until Feb 28. Use coupon code: VMQG10    Thanks Amy!

Stamped labels:

PROS: easy, creative artsy look & feel

EQUIPMENT:

• Letters & number stamps  
• Permanent Ink pad (My fave brand: Yellow Owl Workshop)
• Date stamp – easy way to add a date
• Washi tape – for straight line guides for your type
• Dry iron – for heat sealing the ink
• Press cloth / Parchment paper – to prevent any ink getting on your iron

(Note to Vancouver peeps: These ink pads are available at 

Inkjet Printed labels:

PROS: DIY at home, can look quite professional when done well. There are products for inkjet labels but what I like about this technique for inkjet printing is that you can print on fabric with printed designs. (As shown in sample) So you can match your backing fabric or print them on a fabric that adds to the design.

CONS: Bit of a fiddley process and some printers can be fussy!

EQUIPMENT:

• Fabric – light coloured fabric. (solid or printed)
• Freezer paper – precut letter size or the roll from supermarket (my preference)
• Dry iron – for heat sealing the ink
• Press cloth / Parchment paper – to prevent any ink getting on your iron

METHOD:

• Prewash the sizing out of fabric for best ink absorption.
• Design your labels on your computer (colour or B&W).
• Cut 8.5” x 11” piece of Freezer paper.
• Iron on very flat surface with hot dry iron).
• Iron SHINY side of Freezer Paper to BACK of fabric very well
• Test which way up your page should be in your printer (Tip: mark top piece of paper in tray with an “X” in corner, then see where it comes out)
• Place fabric /freezer paper combo into paper tray to print on FABRIC side
• Print & heat set with a DRY iron.
• Peel off Freezer paper. (Some people recommend soaking the label in vinegar)

Spoonflower:

PROS: Professional finish, great for photographs, free PicMonkey design tool

EQUIPMENT: Just your computer. It’s all done online.

Spoonflower is a digital “on demand” printer company in NC, USA. They print fabric, wallpaper, wrapping paper and cut ‘n sew patterns of designs uploaded. You can print your own designs or order other designers work, for which they get a small commission. 

METHOD:

• Set up Spoonflower account at: www.spoonflower.com .
• You custom design the labels (text, photos, illustration, colour or B&W).
• File format must be: jpg, tif, png or gif
• Resolution: 150dpi
• Upload your design by clicking: DESIGN –>  UPLOAD
• If you don’t have the software to design you can use their free access to PicMonkey. This can be found at the bottom of the page after you hit UPLOAD under: “Other Design Options”. Choose from “Swatch” or “Fat Quarter” and it will take you there.
  Once you’re done designing in PicMonkey click “Export” and it will bring you directly back to Spoonflower with your image already uploaded in the correct format.
• Choose from variety of fabric substrates incl Kona cotton
• Minimum order is 8” square (which could accommodate about 4 labels)
• For Canada it takes about 3-4 weeks to arrive for regular shipping.

If you are overwhelmed by the thought of designing your own, here’s a designer who will do a custom design for you. Patchworkaplenty on Etsy will consult with you about what you are looking for, design the label and have it printed and mailed to you.

Embroidered Labels:

PROS: Beautiful heirloom look, the thread adds to the tactile feel of the quilt.

EQUIPMENT:

• Embroidery thread: Floss or pearl
• Embroidery needle
• Hoop
• Fine tipped removable fabric pen
• Glad Press’nSeal* & thin Sharpie – optional for tracing the design. (*see pic below)
• Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy – optional for transferring digital designs. (Pricey, but good for transferring complicated designs) There are also other products out there that do similar jobs.)

Embroidered labels to me are the premium way to go.  Not for every quilt project, given the extra time required, but definitely my go to for those very special quilts that I know will be around for a very long time.

METHOD:

• TRACE / TRANSFER DESIGN: Use a light box or window. Alternatively use a thin Sharpie to trace the design onto Glad Press’nSeal and then stick that directly onto the fabric. Stitch right through it and then remove the plastic film when you’re done.
• STITCH: for the text use a stitch that creates a line such as backstitch or split stitch.
• EMBELLISH the borders and add swirls, flowers or graphics with other stitches.

Creative Conceptual Quilt labels:

Labels don’t have to be rectangular with straight forward type. You can have fun with them. Try thinking up a concept that plays on the quilt or fabric design. Or a clever way to apply your message. Here is some more inspiration…

And now (finally!) for the giveaway details:

I have a great bundle of goodies you could win to convert you to a forever labeller:

Spoonflower has generously donated a Welcome pack valued at US$60. This gift of awesomeness includes: US$35 in Spoondollar credit for the recipient to spend on Spoonflower, a Spoonflower Sample Pack with samples of all the fabrics and materials, including wallpaper and gift wrap, that we offer for printing and a copy of their book The Spoonflower Handbook: A DIY Guide to Designing Fabric, Wallpaper & Gift Wrap with 30+ Projects. The Spoonflower Handbook is an essential step-by-step user’s manual and project collection for this booming new creative outlet.

The lovely people at Sakura sent two gift packs of IdentitPens and Pigma Micron Pens. (One for the general giveaway and one for the VMQG) Lots of colour and nib thickness options!! The iDentiPens have handy dual nibs: a 0.4mm and a 1.0mm.

Yellow Owl Workshop has kindly donated some lovely ink pads. A few years ago a did a big quilt label stamp pad test. I bought three different brands, stamped away at some fabric, and then put them through the wash. These came out on top by far. They were the least messy, didn’t bleed and had the least fading after washing. They come in a lovely selection of colours.

*PLUS* Extra surprise goodies of some of my fave supplies that I will add to the bundle! It will be yummy, I promise!

How to enter the label challenge:

1. Label a quilt. (The quilt may be an older one, but I ask that the label is new. Hopefully inspired by this blog post!)
2. You may use whatever label-making technique you wish. Make it a beaut!
3. Post a pic of your label on Instagram and tag it: #QuiltLabelAlong
4. Only ONE entry per quilt / label please. You may enter as many different labels as you wish though. ( Note that your profile should be public in order for me to see it.)
5. You must follow this blog and @happysewlucky on Instagram
6. DEADLINE:  September 1, 2019. (That will give you all of Spring and Summer – plenty of time to finish up your quilts and label those old label-less orphans schloomphed over your sofa. No excuses! ; ) 
7. Open worldwide. No purchase necessary. This giveaway is not in affiliation with Instagram or WordPress. Sponsors mentioned above.

Bonus chance for Vancouver MQG members only:

As mentioned at the guild talk, you have the additional chance at winning prizes by tagging your pics #VMQGlabelthatquilt. You may tag both ways if you wish to add your chances.

So have it it quilty friends! Try a new technique, try your hand at Spoonflower labels if you haven’t before, learn a new embroidery stitch, stamp something sweet or brainstorm some clever ideas. Can’t wait to see what you all come up with.

Are you a member of a quilt guild? Feel free to share a link to this post with your guild if they might enjoy the inspiration.  (PLEASE DO NOT copy and paste my content though. Thank you!)