A non-quilter here at work recently asked me about making and attaching a quilt label, and I showed her the basics. She was so excited about the simplicity of it all, and I realized that QM readers might appreciate these easy techniques. So here you go: A Quick Quilt Label Method.
First, create the label in Word. Find a font you like and enter the text, line by line. I chose to center each line and to make the names larger than the other text. Because I prefer not to waste any paper-backed pre-treated label fabric, I often put text for a generic label or two on the same page. These generic labels read “I made this for you,” followed by my name and the year.
Print a sample onto paper and make adjustments as needed.
Here's one I printed on paper, but I decided I didn't like the ragged edges of this font.
Sometimes making the text bold is helpful but it depends on the font.
When you are satisfied with it, print it onto paper-backed pre-treated fabric.
Cut the label you’ll be using away from the other labels. Set the generic labels aside for later use.
Center the text and cut the label to the desired size. Be sure to leave a margin of empty space around the text, plus 1/4″ on all sides for the seam allowance; I usually make my cut 5/8″ outside the text on all sides.
Cut some strips 1 1/2″ wide from coordinating or matching fabric.
Sew the strips around the label like a little border. It really doesn’t matter which ones you sew on first.
Layer the label with a piece of lining fabric, right sides together.
Square everything up to the desired size.
Join the label and lining with a quarter-inch seam all the way around, pinning as needed. Trim small triangles off the corners to reduce bulk.
Carefully cut a slit one or two inches long in the lining and turn the label right sides out.
Gently push out the corners with an awl or pointed tool.
Press the label flat and sew it to the quilt back with a blind stitch. Easy peasy!
Very quick but cute! I need to get a supply of the pre-treated fabric~ I have lots of quilts in need of labels!
Thanks!
I sometimes put a photo or a relevant picture onto my labels. I bought the solution and prepare my own fabrics for printing.
Great idea! I must get some paper backed fabric asap. I like the idea with a picture added . Thanks
Ooh, that’s so cute! And I love the simplicity of it! I usually just cut a cute shape or a rectangle and write on it with a fabric pen, then stitch it on, but I like your way alot better! ☺
Thanks for the instructions. I usually just write my labels by hand using a Sharpie ultra-fine marker. I also turn the border edges under 1/4″ and then blind stitch down to the quilt. I’ll have to try using a lining like you do.
Thanks for the great idea – so simple but so nice looking ! Awesome and I appreciate you sharing it with us
OOH! love the inside-out method. You could turn it into a hidden pocket with a few scraps for mending tucked in, and (separate) instructions to the recipient.
Love the fabric frame on this! I like to print my labels too and have even added pictures of who I am making the quilt for.
I LOVE this idea…I, also, use a fine point permanent marker, but never like the way they turn out. My question is, does the ink not wash out?
You MAY not need treated fabric. When testing I discovered the black ink on my printer was permanent when heat set… the colored inks were not. I just run regular fabric (pressed onto a sheet of freezer paper) through my printer, heat set with an iron, and make labels as you have shown. I like to use subtle prints for my labels and can do it this way.
I love this idea…how cool. I use the same idea for the label, but have always used a pigma pen for the writing… I haven’t printed on fabric for it…
I love to print labels for my quilts too. I use freezer paper ironed to the fabric of my choice to go through the printer. It works pretty good too. I had never seen labels done in this style where you turn it inside out. Love it! Thanks for the great idea!
My labels are ‘framed’ with fabric from the quilt and turned under 1/2″. I whip stitch it to the back of the quilt and add a few stitches inside the label – usually boxing in a name or date.
I’ve heard of people ironing freezer paper onto regular fabric, cutting to 8.5 by 11, and feeding through an inkjet printer. Do you think it would work? It’d be a lot cheaper than that printable paper stuff… ok I’ve talked myself into, I’m gonna try it.
I love this “lining” deal here. I bet I could adapt it to use an orphan block from the quilt.
I just use a pigma pen, write and then iron the written message for good measure. I usually write right on the back before quilting, but piece the square or decorative shape in the back. Thanks for the printable tutorial!
Love your label and thanks for sharing. Please enter me in your giveaway.
that is so awesome!! i for sure will keep this idea, hopefully i will get my hands on some of that fabric paper and try it. very nice looking. thanks!!!
The lining method looks great. I too usually just turn under the 1/4″ on the frame strips. I only used the printable fabric without frames once- that stiff is tough to sew through! And the generic labels with a date are a great motivator- You have to finish some project before the label is “out of date”
genious! And so cute bordered by the fabric!
Pre-treated fabric? I like the lining idea, will make nice clean edges. Generally I’ve ironed freezer paper to the back of my fabric as a stabilizer, used a pigma pen to write the details and then appliqued the label onto the quilt back. I like this lining idea better.
What a nice tutorial! Thank you very much
)
Great idea! I really like the way your label is enveloped. I have used the paperbacked fabric in the printer for labels before, but you gave it a different twist. I use the alpha embroidery stitch on my machine to write my labels and usually just press three sides of the fabric under and sew the bottom in the seam when I sew the binding on. Then I blind stitch the other three sides when I sew down the binding.
Nice tutorial! I’ll try to remember the lining idea. (I print on untreated fabric because I have an Epson printer with Durabrite ink. It never fades or runs on fabric. )
I’m new to quilting. I have 3 tops that are done and need to quilt. Your labeling idea is very nice. I had read another tutorial on using freezer paper. Where do you get your special fabric paper? Thank you for the nice giveaway!
Thanks for the tips! I usually write with a pigma pen on a label that is already printed on fabric – make a quarter inch seam and then attach to the back of the quilt. I have printed with a pigma pen right on the back of the quilt, creating my own label, and I have done this before quilting, and that is easy. I love reading what other quilters do for their labels!!!
Very nice. Thanks for the tips.
I like this idea a lot — the borders eliminate an uneven turn-under (I don’t do needle-turn applique). I’m terrible about adding a label, but this just might inspire me to be better about it.
Thanks for the ideas! I made baby quilts for my grands before they were born. Now would like to add labels with birth info. Might embroider the words on my machine instead.
Great label tips! Thanks!
I don’t think you mentioned that it should be “ink-jet”, not laser printing. I want to try some different fonts next time.
I’ve used the method with the backing fabric and turning it before- but I’ve got a boatload of iron on transfers, so have been using those and ironing them onto bleached muslin. It makes a bit stiffer label, but until I run out of those it is easy on the budget.
Thanks for the idea, I haven’t attempted to make labels yet as I am a newbie quilter. I like this, think I will have to give it a try.
Thanks for the great label making idea. I’m not real fond of the pre-treated fabric – it was really stiff. But I can use your method with my own treated fabric.
I haven’t used the pre-treated fabric for printing but like the label making method just might to try it. My daugher used the pre-treated fabric on a pillow she made for me with a nice saying about mothers.
I print it off my printer and cut it in a random shape fold under edges 1/4 inch then frame and sew it on with a nice hand embroidery stitch that fit the theme of the quilt. Yours is very nice will have to try it.
Great summary. I usually use muslin on the back of labels.
Thanks for the tutorial! Just in time, too. I need to make a label for my FIL’s quilt and may even try this!
I’ve used printed panels of labels for some quilts, but I really like the look of this label with the pieced frame. Thanks for the tutorial!
That does look easy. I’ve never added a quilt label before. Thanks for the tip and thanks for having a giveaway.
Well who would of thot of such and easy way to label a quilt, and just as cute as can be. Good job, thanks for the giveaway and quilt tips they are certainly appreciated.
When I finished my last quilt, I looked around for an easy idea to do a label. Gosh! I wish that I had this method just 1 month ago! Thanks for this great tip!
I am a new quilter and have never made a quilt label (could use some though!) Thank you for the great tutorial~! Colleen
Love it! I often leave off a label because I run out of time to make one before I give an item away…this will help!!!
That is fantastic. What a terrific way to have the edges all finished and smooth!!
I like to add a picture of the recipient to my labels. I have also added a comment on a funny memory, or a few words of thanks, etc. It’s worth the extra touch because the person that receives the quilt cherishes it so much more!
THANK YOU!! I’m headed to my daughter’s next week and have planned to make labels for the family legacy quilts as well as the quilts that I have made. I never thought of the border, lining, or pocket for repair fabric. THIS IS GREAT!
Why the lining? Is it just to avoid needle-turn applique? I’m new to quilting so that’s the only thing that comes to mind. It looks nice, I will have to try it on the quilt I am making for my daughter.
Great tutorial! Thank you!
What a lovely label! I have used twill tape and a sharpie in the past to make rather small (and somewhat blurry) labels. While that works in a pinch and is subtle, this is clearly more refined.
I have been waiting for a sure-fire way to make labels for my first few quilts, and this is the best I’ve seen. Thank you for sharing!!!
Very neat idea. I’d also include washing instructions on the label.
I always put a coloured picture of the person I’m giving the quilt to on the label. If it’s a baby quilt, the picture is usually one of the first ones taken of the baby.
Thanks for the instructions…I’m going to try it. I also try to make an envelope type enclosure to put extra fabric in it just in case.
I could have used this method earlier this week. It would have been perfect for the wall hanging I just finished. I need to find this pre-treated label fabric!
Nice tutorial. Thank you for sharing!!!!!!
Thanks for the timely lesson. this is much easier than the way I have been doing it and just in time to put a new label on my new schnibble quilt.
This is a wonderful tutorial. Thanks for the photos and step by step instructions. This is good! Another idea I like for a label is to take a rubber stamp and stamp on some fabric. Using a permanent fabric marker add label details.
Just the motivaion I need to label this quilt
I never thought to put a backing on my label and turn it inside out. Very pretty. Thanks
I have used this fabric, but never thought of backing the whole thing! What a great idea, no more turning the edges under and ending up with a crooked square. Thanks!
I use the same method except I make my own fabric sheets. The purchased ones are kind of spendy unless you have a 40% off coupon. I iron freezer paper to muslin and trim the piece to 8-1/2″ X 11″ so it will go through my printer. Works slick.
You cannot make labels with a laser printer; must be an ink jet.
I’ve just started surfing the internet for new ideas from sewing, quilting, knitting and crafting and stumbled upon this website and your wonderful tutorial. With the declining interest in sewing, it’s with great gratitude for people like you who share your know hows to keep us inspired.
I’ve never placed a label on a quilt. With this method I’m going to start!
Thanks for the tutorial on how to create a simple but professional looking label!
I know I didn’t make the deadline, but THANK YOU! I’m always so angsty about quilt labels – I have yet to make one… sigh…
I love the tutorial and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I have a bunch of quilts I am finishing up for a charity in New York and I have been trying to figure out how to do a label. These finishing touches mean so much.Thanks!
Maryellen
Great idea! I have been trying to come up with a good labeling method for a quilt I’m working on. Thanks for the tutorial!
You saved me!! I completely forgot to do my quilt label for my grandson’s first quilt. I can’t wait to attach the label now. Thanks for a brilliant, life-saving idea!!1
Thank you for this tutorial. Should be able to do labels now.
I sometimes use my used dry sheets for the backing instead of fabric. Works great..
Great tutorial, Mom! This is *exactly* the sort of thing young quilties like to see.
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Great tutorial. Just what I needed to inspire me to use the sheets of fabric to print on that I bought some time ago, but I will certainly be trying the freezer paper. Thanks heaps
What type of printer is best? I’ve heard that it needs to be an HP inkjet to work. Does anyone have other ideas? Thanks!
I’ve also used dryer sheets (after the dryer) for lining a label.
Another idea is lightweight iron-on fusible interfacing. Put the fusible side to the right side of the label; sew around it; slit and turn inside out; FINGER PRESS (or use parchment paper or teflon sheet, if you really feel the need to iron the corners flat!); fuse the label in place. You may blindstitch around it if desired.
I make my own “pretreated fabric” by cutting freezer paper to 8 1/2″ x 11″, ironing it to my fabric. I remove all other paper from my printer. I design text in Word and print on the fabric I made. I press with a very hot iron several times to set the ink-24 hrs after I printed the label.
You can do this with any fabric ironed to freezer paper that will fit through a laser printer. Notice -LASER- printer. An inkjet printer will let the label wash out, but laser printer ink is permanent after you set it with a hot iron.
Amazing – thank you for sharing
How cool! I’m a beginner quilter, and I love learning all the little secrets. Thanks SEW much for sharing.
The label is very colorful. I also add it into the binding seam that way noone can remove the label with causing damage to the quilt
LOVE the idea of borders! I also “name” all my quilts, put occassion: Christmas, Birth, etc. I have also seen a pieced “envelope” that you can put wash’g instructions in, etc. I can’t take credit for the envelope idea…but it was great! THANKS for posting!
Great idea but you should always include the place like the city and state of where the quilt was made. If I give a quilt to someone in another state, I add that to the label also.
It finishes a quilt very nicely. I am in the process of making one for my niece and daughter whose first baby is due quite soon I like your idea may try and see if I can use this.Thanks
I like to add a photo of the quilt on my labels along with information similar to what you included.
Since I have an enbrodery machine I make all my lables on it.
This way I make use of 2 of my machines & can always have plenty
of lables on hand..
Where on the quilt is the label supposed to be put? I have never
heard in the directions on making the label…….smile.
Just another idea for your Quick Quilt label. When I make labels by this method I use light iron on vilene as the backing fabric. I place the vilene under the label, glue side up, then stitch around the edge. When you slit the back and turn the label inside out the glue is on the outside ready to iron the label in place on your quilt.This holds the label firmly in place while you hand stitch around the edge and you don’t waste fabric
I don’t have an inkjet printer but here is a solution if you have a laser printer. I use the laser printer and print on muslin using the freezer paper method. Then I simply trace over the lettering using a pigma pen. I usually use a font like Segoe Print to give a nice hand printed look. I also include a simple drawing that I use as a personal logo. There’s all kinds of design stuff out there so it’s easy to create your personal label. It only takes a few minutes to hand letter it. Then I swish it out in the sink to remove any vestiges of printer ink et voila. I had not thought of the border and lining though and love it!
I liked your label frame method. For a baby quilt, I took the cover of the baby announcement and incorporated that into the label of the quilt. I scanned it in color, inserted the picture into Word, sized it appropriately, then added the information about the quilt and the maker below. Then created the framed label.
You can also use the smaller pieces of the pretreated inkjet-ready fabric by ironing them on to a piece of freezer paper cut to 8 1/2″ x 11″. It helps to iron the smaller piece down on the page about 1 inch from the top and over 1 inch from the left margin. Most printers can’t print at the edge of the paper. Adjust the margins of the Word document page so that it fits within the space where the pretreated fabric is situated on the freezer paper. ALWAYS print a test page on regular paper first. Line the test sheet up with the freezer/fabric sheet. Then hold them up to a light and make sure it lines up properly. Don’t forget to allow for an edge and a 1/4″ margin around the sides. With this method, I am able to use every bit of that expensive pretreated fabric.
I have been making my labels this way for years. I usually print down the left side of the fabric sheet first – then flip the sheet to print down the other side. That way I can get two columns of labels and it seems to minimize the waste. (Those sheets are expensive.) And the border/frame strips can be any size you want – the scale is important, too – larger labels call for larger framing strips. My long-arm quilter really likes the lining on the back of the label – she doesn’t have to worry about turning the edge under – just put it where you want it – and stitch it down. You should have told me you needed a tutorial – hehe.
Label is great way of doing Thank YOu
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So simple but effective. I live in an area where quilting supplies are scarce so in place of purchasing paper backed fabric i use muslin and Freezer Paper as a stabilizer. just cut the each 81/2 x 11 iron the freezer paper to the wrong side of fabric and it feeds through the printer no problem.
I include a recent picture of the grandchild the quilt is made for on the label. It helps the young ones who aren’t reading yet identify the owner; the older ones like the personalization.
My paper backed fabric came out stiff. Think I’ll try Nancy’s suggestion next time. Please enter me in the giveaway also. Thanks!
Billie
Enjoyed reading all the submitted suggestions, and like the lining and framing idea. As far as photos are concerned, why not include the quiltmaker’s own photo on the lable too. Quilting through the label after adding it to the quilt, also insures against lable removal–Helen of Laurelton, Queens N.Y.
As a new quilter, I appreciate the label tutorial. The ‘frame’ really makes it professional looking. Will have to try the treated fabric and the freezer paper idea. Thank you.
Thanks a million! What a great label idea! Just completed one for a Christmas gift quilt and it was so easy. I’ll use this one forever!
I just finished your label method. I DID iron the lettering, several times,
JUST to be sure it would hold up, before I sewed it on the quilt, I washed it. The letters all turned from black to light green. So light I
can’t read it. Too bad, as I don’t like sthe “handwritten” labeling either.
Have you had any problems with it fading, or maybe you have not washed it yet. It was a jet ink printer. Bonnie
May I please subscribe to this blog? When I click on the “subscribe to this blog” button, it takes me to a page that lists the latest 10 blog articles. I clicked on the first two, saw the same button, clicked on it and was taken to the same listing of the latest 10 articles. The blog looks fascinating, so can you advise me? Thanks, Libby
Thanks for the great tips!! Will definately try this out on the next labels I make… and I have a few quilts that need labels on them, LOL
I LOVE this method! I have been making my labels with the printable fabric for years but have never added borders to it. Is is so difficult to sew through the printable fabric because it is so tightly woven but adding the borders will eliminate that problem. Thanks!
I’ve been making labels with pigma pens on rogue blocks (and using the cut and turn method to avoid turning under all those edges) but there seems to be a lot of debate here in the comments about what kind of printer to use and how to “pretreat” your fabric. Can you please reply to a comment or write another post (or edit this one) to explain how to pretreat the fabric??
Diane, you are ‘sew’ smart!
Joan A.
What is ” paper-backed pre-treated fabric”?
Thank you for the idea! I love it!
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This is very helpful to me – I will use it!
This label idea really IS great. But what you might try is this: when sewing the label on the quilt, only attach 3 sides. Leave the top unattached so that it forms a pocket. Use the pocket to include a special note or information on the pattern or fabric. You could even include extra fabric pieces for patching/repairing at a future date.
Thank you for this great tutorial! I love the concept and the tip about making a slit for turning! I did this with machine embroidery instead of a printer and love the way it came out! Thanks again!!
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Hi, As I am a keen embroiderer I love the idea of how to set this up and I will try this on my next quilt thank you everso much from Oz xxx Ness