hand embroidered quilt label tutorial

You must label your quilts!

Imagine someone from the future

discovering who made their antique quilt.

So what better way then

to help you out 

with a tutorial.

I love making my quilt labels,

it's like signing a painting.

So with that said 

I'm cracking on with labelling up 

my french window mini that I made last year.

 

When I make my labels I make paper templates

much like English paper piecing.

I try to make my labels with a colours or a shapes that

tie in with the quilt.

You can of course keep it simple with a rectangle.

You will need:

A water soluble pen

A template
Some paper

Some coordinating threads

Some fabric

&

Your computer.

 Okay so here's my magic ingredient!

This is the secret to my tidy labels.

picmonkey

You need to load a blank photo onto picmonkey

(I took a photo of a piece of paper and whacked up the brightness to achieve a blank canvas)

(If any one knows a better way please let me know)

Once this has been done you need 

to click on the text button,

choose your font (the free ones)

and type out your label

and make it the correct size.

I have chosen a more twirly font than I normally use

as I wanted to add a little

je ne sais pas!

 Using your water soluble pen,

draw around your cotton label template.

(and leave a good seam allowance)

Find the centre with which you can use to

 line up your words. 

You should be able to see the letters through the cotton

you may need to brighten your screen

or tilt your laptop for a better view.

 Very gently trace the letters with your water soluble pen.

I do not advocate using any other type of marker for this part.

(please use common sense, I hold no responsibility for ruined screens!)

If in doubt why not print out your label onto paper

and stick it to a window

(to make a lightbox effect)

and trace the words like you did as a kid!

If you are using stranded thread,
split it into two, so you have a three strand thread,
which is less bulky.
I have chosen navy to match in with the quilt.

 Once you have sewn your labels 

emerse them in water, 

allow to dry,

give them a gentle press

and tack them to paper templates.

I made a two piece label

to emphasise the quilt pattern.

Press again to form a crisp edge 

with which to applique,

then remove the paper templates.

Pin your label in your chosen position.

(I like to line them up with quilting stitches where possible)

With matching thread attach your label

with an applique stitch,

or how you would hand stitch your binding.

 And here it is!

You could choose to outline the edge with 

some stitches in a contrasting thread

for added pizazz!

Truth be told I wish I'd 

made the selfsewn a different colour,

but I have at least labelled this quilt for prosperity!

Some might say this is an unnecessary embellishment,

probably true...but I enjoy this method.

Why go to all the hard work of  sewing a quilt

and not take pride making a pretty label?

Clare x