Friday, March 20, 2015

Label Mabel

I was surprised to hear how many of you do not label your quilts. It doesn't have to be a long, drawn out chore. Mine are usually super simple and easy in my own messy handwriting.

 I adhere my label fabric (usually muslin) to freezer paper to stabilize it as I write.  I've always been known to write uphill, so I draw lines with my Frixion pen using a ruler.
Then I write whatever I want. If I made the quilt for someone, I write their name and the occasion. I usually add who quilted it as well, and I know some designers would like you to add their name as the designer. If you were entering it into a show that would be an excellent idea.

 Then I iron away my lines made with the frixion pen. Look how crooked it is even when I used lines! lol
 And this is how I apply it to my quilt. The raw edge will be sewn in as I apply the binding and I will applique the other two edges down. Done!

I picked up this book from Amazon and now I wish I would have made my sampler block more like Karen's, imitating these wonderful quilts. I do plan on adding more cheddar!

And if you aren't following me on Instagram this week, here's a few photos of what you missed!

Have a great weekend!

30 comments:

  1. I need to get caught up with my labels. I have a lot of small ones that I haven't done yet. Good idea to draw lines that disappear! I think I'll do that next time. I also have label designs that can be ironed on as well as some pre printed labels of fabric. Maybe I'll go on a label blitz and get them done.

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  2. In my mind, my quilts aren't done till the labels are on. I'm always encouraging my quilting friends re: them, and I've given a couple talks about labels and documentation at guild meetings. I have a healthy stash of colorful pre-printed labels, ready for words and dates to be added. Many are Thimbleberries panels (15-18 labels per panel) from years past. They're a time saver and colorful encouragement to keep up with the labels.

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  3. I just had to say, that is NOT messy handwriting!! : )

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    1. Great tip to use the Frixon Pen to draw lines! I ALWAYS label my quilts!

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  4. pienso que mis edredones no están terminados,
    hasta que no pongo la etiqueta
    buen fin de semana

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  5. I have that book and I love the samplers in it! One day I will make one. For now I will enjoy watching you make yours :0)

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  6. Thanks, for encouraging labels, Lori. I follow Bonnie Hunter's idea and sew it in with the binding, so it can't be ripped off easily, not that anyone would steal my quilts. I have pre-cut 4" squares in a special box, along with lined paper I can put behind the layer I'm writing on, and it is adhered to freezer paper. I always include my maiden name in parentheses, as per suggestions in articles I've read about labels.

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  7. mea culpa...bless father for I have not labeled....

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  8. That is exactly how I do my labels, your handwriting is very neat though, I find it a bit difficult to write on the fabric. I label before I bind my quilts so that the label is also attached in a corner with the binding. It only takes a little time and may be so important and nice.

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  9. I did a tutorial a while back on label making (http://www.sewwequilt.com/2011/02/will-your-quilt-be-found-in-pile-known.html) and labelling is one of my "soap box" issues in the classes that I teach and at my guild.

    My guild made up a rubber stamp so that it would be easier to put labels on our charity/donation quilts.

    I love the blocks you are doing. . . . I'm not a fan of applique so I don't do it often. Love the look, just not really comfortable with the technique.

    Have a great day,

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  10. I'm so bad about labeling. I do label all of my quilts that I design and sell patterns for (I think...but now that I say that, I need to check!). I have good intentions, and like to sew them on when attaching the binding...and then I forget!

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  11. What a great tip to use the Frixion pen to make straight lines and then iron it away after. My lines are terribly crooked when I write and so I usually end up doing two or three labels until I get it right!

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  12. Thank you for this. I label . . . sometime . . ., but I have now vowed to go back, label all my completed quilts, and label ALL new ones from now on. We bought a beautiful antique quilt for $250, dating back to the late 1800s, over 2,000 itty bitty flying geese used in the LeMoyne Star blocks and as a border, all hand pieced and hand quilted. We had it appraised -- would you believe $1,200. It would have been more, but there are a few small stained areas, and NO LABEL. The appraiser found another quilt using the same pattern, no stains, and labelled, that sold for $1,975. Moral of this comment: LABEL YOUR QUILTS!!!!! Thank you so much for your generous blog.

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  13. Great idea on the label. I usually add it after the binding is done. This way I only have to sew two sides - thanks! Found you through Quilty Folk - and now a new follower! and on Instagram too. I see you are in the Star in a Time Warp group - Yay!

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  14. Hello Lori !
    For my labels, I usually used the same block that I made on my top. And if it's just appliqué, I do the same block like you !

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  15. Well, Lori, maybe we will make a second quilt inspired by blocks in the book! I am glad you purchased the book. Enjoyable to look through and even to read if you have time.

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  16. great freezer paper tip! I'm going to keep that in mind for my next label!
    Thanx a lot!

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  17. I am very good about labelling after seeing so many old quilts in shows, which are a mystery. It's a shame when you see "maker unknown". I embroider my labels by hand, after writing them with a Frixion pen.

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  18. I like your idea about drawing lines to keep your writing straight. My tip is that I stretch my muslin in a small embroidery hoop to keep it taunt while writing. Works like a charm. ;)

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  19. I love following you on Instagram, you always have fun photos! I really like the one of you and your daughter. I'm a big advocate of labeling because I've inherited quilts with no labels and I would dearly love to have had them signed or dated. So glad to know you are labeling! Have a great weekend.

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  20. I always label my quilts, BUT, I always forget to attach the label till after the binding is sewn on, so I have to applique all four sides. :(

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  21. I like the idea of sewing the label into the binding. I recently backtracked and did mine, but I'm only on my third quilt so it wasn't an onerous task !! 😃

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  22. Thanks for the tutorial and reminder to label! I do label my quilts, but have been lax in labeling minis (usually just a signature and a date) so I ordered some of the little Mountain labels and they arrived so quickly! They are adorable and thanks for sharing their info.

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  23. This is a good simple way to label quilts, thanks. You saw the one I did for the Flags quilt...I was going to use a real tiny flag that I had found on the beach---but then I worried that it would be disrespectful and used a flag printed cotton. I had thought that a hundred years from now the small real flag would be of historical interest, if the quilt still exists .

    lizzy

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  24. I make my labels on the computer printer and if it is for someone special I add a small picture of myself. It's a long story how I came to this but people seem to enjoy it!

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  25. Thanks for the tip on wax paper behind the fabric to write on.......I never can seem to get the pens to write on fabric well....this will probably help!

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  26. I agree, every quilt should be labelled. If I have the time and the patience I sometimes embroider the words. I often have blocks where I've made a mistake that end up as the label.

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  27. I draw my lines on the freezer paper with magic marker, then reuse the freezer paper over and over without having to draw lines again. They show through the muslin beautifully. I originally used this method when working with young children writing their names on a quilt. Works well for grownups too!
    Jspwarren at aoldotcom

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