Quilt Labeling

In my searches to do various quilting techniques, I kept coming across mentions of putting a label on the quilt when you were finished.  Finding how to do it was another story.  Most were telling me to add it when I did the quilting.  Well, that did me no good as I often already had the quilting part already done.  I found several different methods and finally gave in and found a way that worked best for me.

You'll need the following:

* fabric swatch (pre-washed, it can be from the fabric used in the quilt or some other scrap fabric you have laying around)

* freezer paper

* rotary cutter

* ruler

* cutting mat

* iron

* ironing board (I used my cut 'n press)

* permanent  fabric marking pen (permanent markers, such as Sharpie, will bleed and discolor over time, make sure it is a FABRIC pen.)

First cut your swatch to your desired size.  I cut mine to 4" x 5".  I have two quilts that need labels, hence the two different swatches.

After you have cut your fabric.  Cut a piece of freezer that is just a bit larger than the fabric.  You'll want at least a half inch all around.  The freezer paper helps stabilize the fabric while you write on it.  You can also use it the make fabric stiff enough to go through your printer and make your label that way.  Then mark lines on the dull side of the freezer paper about a half inch apart.  This provides a guide to help keep your writing straight, if you desire.

Take the shiny side (the side with the wax) and the place the fabric on top, right side up.  Then turn the whole thing over and iron gently.  You only want to help the fabric stick, you're not wanting a permanent bond.

Once it's all ironed, add the writing.  You can include anything you want.  The basics would be the date, who it's for (if anyone), who worked on the quilt, any special occasion, etc.

For the pens I have, it took two applications to make sure it's dark enough and heat setting was not required.  Check the instructions that came with your pen(s) to see if you need to heat set.  Gently peel the freezer paper off and discard.  Then fold the edges over a quarter-inch and press.  Next sew the label onto your quilt using a blind whip stitch.  The bottom right corner of the black is the traditional place, but you can put your label wherever you desire.

Then you're done!  Ta-dah!  Make sure the label gets a chance to lay flat overnight before you wash it.

See how pretty!!  Enjoy marking your place in history.

Quilting

Last year I made a t-shirt quilt with my college band shirts using this awesome tutorial.

While I was working on it, my friend wanted me to make one for him.  Over Christmas break he gathered all the shirts he wanted to use.  I had to get creative with some of the squares because he's so broad-shouldered that some of the designs barely fit within my 12.5" quilting square.  However with a little ingenuity, I was able to use every shirt he gave me.  I finished the top today.

Next week JoAnn's is having a good deal on the backing fabric I want to use.  So, that's on the agenda for next weekend.  The walking foot for my sewing machine came in a few weeks ago, so I'm excited to try it out.  Machine quilting my quilt was a pain in the butt, so I'm hoping that it will make things easier.

Christmas Presents Revealed

I was wanting to post this right after Christmas, but technical difficulties put a damper on things.  This past year was another "homemade" Christmas.  My family got hand painted tiles with phrases that had special meanings to them.

For some friends I made some placemats.  I started with a set I made for a friend as a wedding present.

Then I found some pretty musical Christmas ribbon.  I think it works better if I don't use wired ribbon, but that's all I find.

 This is where I learned how to make the placemats: How to make a woven placemat with ribbon