Simple Label for a quilt ~ Tutorial

Anyone who has been to a quilt guild will know the cry of the quilter nazi, "BE SURE TO LABEL YOUR QUILTS. THEY'RE ART! THEY'RE HISTORY! THEY'RE A LIVING ENTITY!" Or something to that effect. Since we have many readers who are new to quilting or sewing I thought I would show you a very simple label that is quick and easy. Also, quilts aren't the only things that could use a label. Anything that you might give as a gift to someone could use a small label: tote bags, clothes etc.

Since this is a simple tutorial, we're going to keep it to simple shapes. I like using cookie cutters. Since this is a quilt for a wedding, then it's most appropriate that it's a heart! I will often just stick to a square or rectangle shape for general labeling purposes. Choose fabric that will not only coordinate with your quilt but that is light enough to see what you plan to write. Trace around with pencil. Or if you're not using a cookie cutter, just rotary cut yourself 2 squares/circles/rectangles etc.

Put another matching piece of material, right sides together, and sew on your drawn line. Leave around a 1"-2" opening for turning. Once sewn, cut around 1/8" seam allowance. Clip curves and especially at the inside point of the heart. Clip right up to 1 or 2 threads. It will give you a good shape, I promise. I also, give myself a little more seam allowance on the unsewn part, where I turn inside out. It's just nice to have that extra fabric when turning it under for sewing.

Turn inside out and press. Rub the fabric between your thumb and fingers to get to the edge. You want a nice crisp shape.

I've used a number of different pens over the years for writing on fabric. My new favorite is a "Memory Marker" by American Crafts. I bought it at a scrapbook store. I would assume any other pen would work with these attributes: pigment ink, acid free, permanent, fade proof, non-bleeding, waterproof. I also like this one, because it has two different tips, F:fine and M: medium. Also, there is a parade of different colors to choose from! (Also worked great on Marsha's Idaho History Project)

Pin in place. I like corners. And if those corners are wavy all the better! :)

With just regular old thread that matches the background, I take a small stitch in the background fabric. Be sure that you're needle is not going through to the other side of quilt, or through all 3 layers. You are hiding your thread inbetween the backing and the batting. Grab just a couple of threads in the fold of the heart. Then continue to take another stitch, right by where you just came out from the heart, in the background/backing fabric. Do this all the way around and it will give you a nice invisible look. When you've completed the shape, make a little double knot at the end and then hide it inbetween the layers.

Aaaahhhhh Happy Beginnings ~~~

Let's just have ONE more picture of the finished quilt. :)