Making Quilt Labels at Home!

I am all about heirlooms, and quilts are the perfect heirlooms to be passed down. A quilt label is the perfect way to add a special touch, while preserving information for future generations: who made the quilt, what year, what was the pattern, etc.

Sometimes, you might want a more custom label to commemorate that the quilt was for a special moment: I recently made His and Hers quilts for my cousin for their wedding and created custom labels with the date, pattern, and who made it.

There are numerous places to purchase generic quilt labels, and I too have a stack of these and love them. But I want to help you out a little. So, I have put together this tutorial on how to print your own quilt labels on your home Ink-Jet printer (can’t be a laser printer).

Supplies:

1. Cotton fabric (I recommend a white or cream color. But light, neutral solids work best.)

2. Freezer paper

3. Iron

4. Rotary cutter/mat/ruler

5. Ink-jet printer (again, laser will not work)

6. Water

7. Mixing bowl or baking dish

Optional supplies:

1. Vinegar or dye fixative

2. Oil based pen (such as Sharpie)

Create & Print your Label:

Step 1: Choose or create a quilt label on your computer. Did you know that all my patterns come with a printable label?

Step 2: Cut a rectangle from both your fabric and your freezer paper about 9.5” x 12”. You want to start slightly bigger than a sheet of paper. We will trim this down later.

Step 3: With the fabric right side down and the freezer paper shiny side down on top of the fabric, align edges and corners, and iron. Press until the freezer paper sticks to the fabric. It will appear slightly bumpy. Resist the urge to pull it apart to check. Err on the side of ironing more, but don’t scorch the paper. Keep it moving!

Step 4: Trimming a bit off of all four edges, cut to exactly 8.5”x11”. It is very important that you trim off all four sides. Trimming all sides will square up our paper best. So do not simply align the 8.5” and 11” marks to one of your corners after ironing and trim only two sides.

Step 5: Empty your printer of any paper. Check that your ink supply is good. There’s nothing worse than finding out it’s low by printing on your fabric. You only get one chance!

Step 6: Place trimmed fabric/paper combo in your printer. Make sure you know which side your printer prints on. It’s best to print a test sheet and mark one end with a word or an arrow. This way you know how to place the fabric/paper combo in your printer to print on the correct side.

Step 7: Print your label. If using a template from a pattern, ensure that you are printing at 100% and only select the page that the label is on. If you are handwriting a name and date, do so now with a Sharpie or similar pen.

Step 8: When you are satisfied with your printing, gently peel away the freezer paper. 

Fix the Ink:

There are lots of different opinions on fixing ink to fabric. I prefer heat and a vinegar/water mixture. This is only one method, and what I prefer.

Step 1: After allowing the ink to completely dry, iron your label without steam.

Step 2: Submerge it in a bath of 1:1 vinegar and water. Let it sit just long enough to penetrate the fabric. I like to mix mine in one of the throw away metal 9”x13” dishes. I do not throw them away after. I just store them with my craft supplies and use again! They are great for lots of things!

Step 3: Lay flat to dry completely. If you lay it outside, make sure it’s in the shade.

Step 4: Once your label is dry, cut it out. I cut mine in a 5” - 6” square usually. Just make sure that there is a 1/2” minimum between the edge and the wording.

Steps to Apply the Label to Your Quilt:

I prefer to add my label with my binding. You can add your binding to the front first, then add the label when you finish your binding. I like the extra security of being stitched down twice.

Step 1: You’ll fold your square label in half along the diagonal. Press.

Step 2: Align the raw edges of the label with the raw edges of your quilt on the back side. Pin in place.

Step 3: As you stitch the binding to the front of the quilt, the label will be fixed in place too. Just mark which corner you placed the label and make sure it doesn’t get an edge folded over. Then, you finish the backside of your quilt binding as you would normally. I hand bind all mine and the label is just an added layer of the back. Make sure you are going through both the label and the backing of the quilt.

(Optional) You can stitch the folded edge of the label down if you want, but it’s not necessary. You can do a decorative big stich or an invisible stitch. Totally up to you!

Congratulations!! You have made your own quilt label and successfully labeled your newest heirloom! I have created a Quick Reference Page you can print and keep handy. Download below.