How I Label My Quilts (Gasp! A Rare Tutorial)

Hello and welcome to a special edition.

I've had a request for a little more info on

how I make my quilt labels so today I'm

sharing a quick tutorial on what is likely a

slightly different method than most quilters use.

I really enjoy hand-sewing but, at the risk of starting

a "by hand v. by machine" debate, I'm a huge fan of

machine-binding because it saves so much time.

Hours that can be spent on my next quilt!

I've done it for years now and it still amazes me,

all that time saved!  It was a simple step over to sewing

 the label down by machine as well, and then those

binding scraps just begged to be part of the show.

My Method for Quilt Labels

Important!

This step fits in after sewing the top of the

 binding on and before sewing down the back.

Supplies:

Lightweight fusible interfacing

Muslin

Excess binding from quilt

Tip:  To make this even more efficient, keep a stash of

supplies ready.  A pile of 6x6 muslin squares and

interfacing triangles (a scant 6x6" cut diagonally)

sits in my sewing cabinet at all times.   

To make a label, place the interfacing

along one side of the muslin as shown.

Fold the muslin over and press into a triangle,

fusing the interfacing down at the same time.

At this point, use your normal method of writing

your label info.  I use the basic embroidery on my

sewing machine.  First pressing in a vertical center

 line and then marking the horizontal lines with

disappearing ink for an orderly placement.

If you embroider also, it's best to do this on the

side of the interfacing, using it as a stabilizer.

Next grab that excess binding you are left with after

sewing the top part of your binding down.  If, by magic,

you had just enough and nothing left, go for some

other accent fabric in your quilt.

I like to make this strip thinner so when your binding

is still folded in half, trim to 7/8".  Open it up and

press each side in to the center.

(This is like making bias tape.)

Next, press your strip in half again,

making a narrow trim.

Opening it at the fold, slip the top of your triangle label

into the trim, placing it snugly up along that center fold.

Fold your trim back down over the label.

Wonder clip, or pin, into place and topstitch down.

Now we're ready to insert the label into the quilt.

When the top of my binding is sewn onto my quilt, I press

it down from the front, and again on the back as I fold it

into place and clip.  This really helps me keep things straight.

(*Showing a different quilt in the remaining pics)

When I'm pressing and clipping that binding down on

the back, I insert the label in a lower corner and clip well.

Especially at the far points of the label that didn't quite

get into the above pic--this is where it has the greatest

chance of slipping out as you move it to the machine.

The label will add a bit more bulk so grabbing this

section of the binding when sewing it down can be

a little tricky, especially if you like a narrow binding.

I always start sewing my binding down right here so

I remember to give it a little extra attention,

and perhaps a little tight pull if needed.

When I turn the corner, I flip the back over to

make sure things are off to a good start.

(Better to make any adjustments now!)

**Update**
I forgot to add that when gifting the quilt, you can

tuck a large tag with washing/care instructions

in the little "pocket" created by the label.

I rarely do tutorials so I hope this is clear.

I feel these labels go on so quickly and

have a nice professionally-finished look to them.

I hope you'll give 'em a try.  If you find you love them

as much as I do, please let me know and if they end

up on your blog, please give a link back here.

I would appreciate it!

Happy [faster] quilting!