Hey all..I’m starting a new feature here on the blog. It’s an extension of the “Ask Jo” posts you often see here. What we’ll do is take a question and propose it to all of you to answer in the comment in the comment section. I’ll chime in a give my two cents but all of you are encouraged to join in and answer the question as well.
Today’s question came from Brenda. She writes:
“Hi, Jo! I’ve been a longtime blog reader, but I can’t remember if you’ve addressed this before. If you have, I’m sorry. I piece and quilt a lot of baby quilts to give to a local organization. I’ve wondered what some of your community quilters write on the labels for the quilts they donate. Or no label? I feel funny not putting any kind of label on it. Any suggestions?“
There are some really cool quilt labels out there and you can even buy some on Etsy. Check this one out…
Just to to Etsy and type in Quilt Labels and you’ll get all sorts of fun ones.
First off don’t be afraid to ask any questions. If I have answered it before I’ll suggest a link to that blog post…if I haven’t, I’ll answer it. I have discussed this before but it’s been a long time ago…sometimes my opinions change over time…sometimes they stay the same. So let’s tackle the topic of quilt labels.
The question Brenda specifically ask is about quilts going to local organizations…our community quilts would fall into that category.
I know some of the community quilters do add labels to the quilts donate. Some of the groups they are working with require labels so I’m sure they do that in compliance with the program.
I know some are religious groups and donate quilts as part of their mission work. I know they often put labels on that might include their church or a bible passage. Being they are doing mission work including that information lets a quilt recipient know where they can go if they want more information.
I know Quilt of Valor quilts have labels that thank a veteran.
Me, I put zero labels on the quilts I give for charity. I know some of you are going to be shocked that I don’t. Over the years I have thought it out and I have reasons why I do not label charitable quilts. I am going to give my opinion. It’s likely not going to be popular. That’s okay. Remember the title of the post is community discussion. I’ve very open to hearing everyone’s opinions. PLEASE leave them in the comment section.
These are the reasons why I don’t make labels:
1-I am not offering follow-up support. I do not plan to have any other exchange from the person receiving the quilt. I prefer they don’t have my contact information.
2-I don’t have time to putz with a label. I’d rather put that time into making a second quilt.
3-I like things given with no strings attached. If someone offers me a gift and strings are attached and I’m obligated to do something in return, I’d prefer the person didn’t give me anything. Somehow to me, a label feels like strings are attached.
4-I’m past the point in life that I am not looking for a thank you or recognition. I don’t expect, need, or want any recognition for the charitable work I do. I do charitable work because it is the right thing to do. I don’t want a label because I don’t want to be recognized for making the quilt. I prefer the giving I do to be under the radar.
5-I’ve needed help in my life. I’ve gotten help in my life. The last thing I wanted was to be reminded that I needed that help. To me, the label is a reminder.
Now about labeling quilts, I make to gift for friends and family…I don’t label them. I know many people are going to think that is crazy too. I’ve thought it out… If you go back and read reasons #2 and #3 they both apply. #4 applies to only take out the words charitable. I am going to add another point to quilts I give as gifts or quilts the kids will inherit.
My hope is that there is no piece of any quilt I ever make ever left years after I die. I give quilts with the request that they are used and loved. I want the quilt to wrap them in love and support and never be put on a shelf as a museum piece. I want the people who I gift a quilt to wear it out…in that case, no label is needed. What would make me the most sad is if 100 years from now, there were quilts out in the world that were made by me and sitting on a shelf.
I’m the odd duck. I know it and am totally okay with it. I really hope you all will chime in and let Brenda know your thoughts on labels and quilts…do you have one opinion for charitable quilts and another for personal quilts? Do you treat all quilts the same? No answer is wrong. Who knows, maybe one of you will change my opinion and I’ll become a label maker…I doubt it reason #2 is so true for me..but I’m totally willing to listen.
P.S. If you have an idea for another topic for a Community Discussion, please ask away. I’d love to make this a regular feature.
I don’t label quilt also. Maybe if I made heirloom quilts, I would label them. I guess I could go on and explain more, but that’s what I do. Thanks for sharing all that you do.
I agree with you absolutely! I have always felt like my gifts of quilts were less than adequate, but you have set my mind at ease. The only label I made was on a quilt for my son, who requested it. Thank you so much Jo.
I agree with your thoughts on community service quilts. I don’t usually label those. But the Guild I belong to does have a label that is added to ourCommunity Service quilts.
However, I do label and date quilts I plan on keeping or those I give as gifts. My hope is that after I am gone, I will be remembered fondly when those quilts are used. I usually sew my labels right into the corner, a trick I learned from Bonnie Hunter’s blog.
I’m with you Jo, I never label my quilts. I donate most of them to Project Linus and here in UK no makers info is shared with the recipient. As for my own quilts, when I’m dead and gone I simply won’t care about them! Each to their own.
Love and peace from cool and cloudy England
I love that you want your quilts to be loved and used to death!!! Now if only people did that. Where did this idea of saving everything forever come from? I am not a prolific quilter, but I rarely label. Most recent label was on a quilt pieced by my aunt. It was just a top in a box when she died. I had it longarm quilted. It’s now in the hands of her BIL and SIL. Label so no one is confused about who did what. Next label will be for same reason….a quilt my sister and I pieced containing blocks embroidered by our grandmother. Finished quilt is going to our cousin’s daughter…great grandchild of the embroiderer. My sister and I are the 3rd generation to handle some of our UFOs…don’t want anyone receiving a quilt to misunderstand origins.
I label all my work and if I give or sell an item I sometimes hear from the person who now has it.
Jo, I have to agree with your thoughts on labeling charity quilts. I never want strings attached. It is a gift. Sometimes it is not my best work and don’t want my name on that but can still be put to good use. I don’t need or want the recognition. I do however like to label the quilts gifted to family. They like to have the label. My labels are very simply made, just handwritten with basic info.
Jo – You listed five reasons for not putting labels on charity quilts and I completely agree with all 5, but especially #5. And if someone is in need of a quilt from me, then I want it to be functional and attractive and it needs to lift them up. I think labels are about the maker, not the person who needs help. Thanks for offering us this forum to discuss an important topic.
I belong to a group that does label charity quilts with the group name. Except for quilts that are given to children. The label is left blank so the child’s name can be written on it. These quilts are given through the sheriff department, children’s services or the schools. We hope that the quilt stays with the child and they experience the joy of it being theirs.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree with you about not labeling charity quilts, I give them and they gone, no strings attached. However I do donate quilts to a fundraising auction and labels are recommended. People actually do bid more if they know who the quilt was made and quilted by. I also label quilts for my grandchildren. It wouldn’t bother me at all if a quilt I made was passed down through the generations. I have a quilt that is in fairly good condition that was made by my husband’s great-grandmother. It’s a treasure and will be going to our only daughter. How many people have a quilt made by their great great grandmother? You’ve said already that you want your cross stitching pieces to be family heirlooms, that how I feel about the quilts that I applique and hand quilt for the grandchildren. Some are everyday quilts to be used, loved then thrown away when they’re rags. Some are to be put on the bed on Sunday when you have company. We all think differently about this and basically my thought is to each own way! Happy stitching!
I agree with you!! I’m commenting on another too! I was given my husband’s great-grandmother’s quilt and I did a big label with all the details of who made it and the family line down to me. I have several of my mother-in-laws quilts (her daughters weren’t interested!!) and they are all labeled! There is history on quilt labels!!
I think it’s wonderful that you have kept the history of the quilts for others to know. I hope you have someone in your family to treasure them as you do.
I agree with all of your points and have one more to add. I do about 20-30 charity quilts a year and you always get people who come back and ask for another one or even multiples. Then I get people that ask if you can do memorial tshirt quilts (HARD NO). And when I gift to family then you get people who say why didn’t I get one – so I’d rather remain anonymous where possible and gift to charity of my choice.
I’m with you on t-shirt quilts!
I would like to know how everyone decides where to begin their Cross Stitching. Make sure you indicate whether it’s Linen or Aida! Thanks!
Cross stitch gets begun in the center…I am terrified of running out of space. And unless it’s a kit gifted to me, it’s always linen.
Thank you. I go back and forth on this all the time. No labels on donated quilts except Quilts of Valor for many of the same reasons as you, especially that #2 & #4
Personal and Gifts it depends on the person and the occasion. I’m glad Brenda asked this question and to get another opinion.
I agree with your concepts on quilt usage. I made labels like I would sign an enclosure gift card. I put a date, the person who is celebrated, and if applicable the person who requested the gift be made. Many of the recipients are babies or young children and in special friendships allow the parents to talk of friends or family not as geographically close as they once were. I still get updates on multiple quilts up to 14 years later. My washing instructions tell all the necessary instructions to care for a quilt and the last block is a heart encouraging the love of the quilt. I also enclose a note telling the parents the many uses of a quilt from fort making to cuddling. And I share my wish that a quilt be used until it falls to tatters. I really mean that. My most labor intensive quilt was shown to me by its owner after a trip through the backyard where pigs and chickens were housed. I was thrilled his mom slapped and embarrassed. I reminded her it was made to be loved to death and he was doing his best.
I put labels on quilts for the name of the pattern and the year it was made in. For baby quilts I put the name of the child and their birth information with their parents name, and if they have siblings their names also.
Our guild has a label we print onto fabric from computer. It says:
Made with love by Vereins Quilt Guild, Fredericksburg, TX
We put it on our quilts for kids and veterans and whoever- there is space to write in the child’s name as most of our quilts used to go to children who were removed from their homes.
Our local quilt shop is sponsoring quilts for the local abuse shelter and they have a label but I haven’t seen it.
I do make labels for my quilts. I have no idea when I made a quilt unless it has a label. Now there are some that don’t get labeled because I procrastinate but then I wonder if I made it and when – so best to label- it can be very simple- name and date – but the ones gifted to family have more information- my full name and city and state- gifted to information etc
I have quilts from both my grandmothers and they did not label
I’m with you on #4. I just can’t put my name on quilts I make at all. It’s a gift. I don’t need to create a memory of myself with a label. I prefer that I as the maker be forgotten and the person just enjoy the quilt. “Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth,” and thy Father in Heaven shall reward thee. Matt. 6:3-4
Charity is one the most revered values in the Jewish tradition but instead of “charity” the concept is referred to as Justice, as in a just world no “charity” would be necessary.
On this philosophy there are different levels of charitable giving. The most honorable is when the giver does not know who receives the gift and the recipient is unaware of who the giver is.
This is why I never label the quilts I make for Ben Taub Hospital or any other organisation.
I would probably label one I made for a friend or family member to make it a more personal token, but I love making the baby quilts so much that that’s all I do.
Good morning Jo!
Our guild start3d doing lap size quilts for our local cancer center over 12 years ago. The chairman designed a label and was printing them on her home computer and it got expensive for her, so she did reach and found Spoonflower. They printed out guild label plus a washing instructions. They go in all ore charity quilts. We just wanted the person receiving the quilt that there was someone who cared for them and give a little comfort in what they are going through. On my personal quilts, I add a label simply stating my name as the maker. If I was entering in a show, it would b3 a label with name of quilter, the maker, who long armed it and date.
I am now making small quilts for local sheriff departments for kids in a distressed situation plus putting a stuffed animal with it in hopes to give them a little security in a rough time. Those I do not label.
I have several quilts from my grandmother and mom and a couple that purchased at flea markets that don’t have labels, I wished they did just for a little history of them.
Labels are personal preference and I understand why you don’t. You do so much behind the scenes and that is more important than a label and that is what gives you peace.
Love this discussion. I do not put labels on the quilts I donate to charity. I do add a label to quilts that I make for babies of family members and friends. That label includes the name of the child, parents and siblings (if applicable). I usually design the label on my computer and print it on my printer.
I’ve only done quilt tops for QOV. They do get a label, filled out with the recipient’s name, and who did the piecing, quilting, and binding (sometimes it’s 3 different people), and date presented. I think if I ever do quilts for another charity, I will not label them.
On quilts for myself or family, I add a small label with my first initial, last name and year finished. Sometimes it’s on a separate fabric piece, sometimes it’s embroidered or written on the back. Which method depends on the backing fabric and my mood. I have no illusions that I or my quilts will ever be noteworthy enough that in the distant future detailed information will be wanted. Especially with the quilts’s I’ve made GD, I hope they are loved and used to shreds.
To clarify – I do not add the labels to the QOV quilts. I make the tops and turn them in for quilting (not that confident in my quilting abilities yet) and binding. The labels are added by the people who do the quilting.
I’ve just started making charity quilts. I give them to my MIL and she passes them on to the charity her quilt group is working with. They request no labels. For me personally, if I knew where it was going…babies, family abuse situation, first time mothers…I think I would put a heartfelt passage of encouragement on there…anonymously.
As for quilts I make for someone specific, I always include a label and put a very personal message on it. I want the recipient to know how I was thinking about them when made it. For instance, my grandson was getting bullied at school because he wore a shirt that had a pink stripe in it, so the kids were calling him derogatory names. I made him a quilt with a pink strip through it, and while making it, I was thinking about all the men in our congregation who wear pink shirts with their suits and how handsome they look, and they’re not afraid to wear pink. So, that was the message I put on his quilt…”Don’t let anyone keep you from being who you chose to be…REAL MEN WEAR PINK!” I hope that will remind him not to let other people dictate who you become.
Like you, I hope it gets completely worn out, but I want them to know I was thinking about them as it was being made. I don’t care if the quilt ends up being a bed for the dog, as long as it gets love and use. Hey, even the fur babies need a warm snuggle place.
No labels. The people I give quilts to know who gave it to them. I give a baggy of color catchers with instructions and hope for the best.
I love this idea!!
I routinely do not label for many of the same reasons. Never considered #5 but that’s a really good one. I do sometimes label a commemorative quilt, like my sisters wedding quilt, but I think that is more for them than for me. Like this new column!
I routinely do not label for many of the same reasons. Never considered #5 but that’s a really good one. I do sometimes label a commemorative quilt, like my sisters wedding quilt, but I think that is more for them than for me.
Jo and Friends,
Where are the naysayers reading this blog? Speak up, gals!
I am in the LABEL EVERY QUILT group. I say this in spite of the fact that I hate making labels and attaching them. Too much hand work for these arthritic fingers.
I label every quilt I make and give to friends and relatives so they will know that I love them enough to spend the time to make a quilt for them. I hope the label is a reminder to them every time they see it that they are precious and loved by me.
My niece sent me a video when she and her fiancé opened the wedding quilt I sent them. I could hear my niece say “turn on the back. There’s a message somewhere.” Yes, she was looking for the label with information about how much I loved them as a couple. Then I heard her fiancé read the information I had written on the label.
Last week I was at a reception following a funeral for an 80 year old man. His family gave me a quilt top they found in their home, because I promised to quilt it and return it to the family. I asked both sides of the family who made the top, so I could include that information on the finished quilt. No one knew, and there were plenty of wild guesses. Ha! I know the top is from the 1930s because of the prints and use of feed sacks. It is too bad that the future quilt owner will not know which relative made their quilt.
Last story. In June I’ve visited an elderly friend in Gainesville, Georgia. She lives in a retirement community and showed me two quilts that were made by someone in her husband’s family. I studied the quilts and explained the details to her, such as the pattern, the difficulty in making the quilt, and the quality of the workmanship. Which I will tell you is the best. The Houston Quilt Show folks have nothing on this quilt maker of old. I explained to my friend that her husband was descended from a very, very artistic person who took great pains with her work. Something to be very proud of. So it is too bad that person is not known by name.
On Community Quilts, I always include a label with a generic message. Usually a Bible verse. Or words of encouragement. Then a note it was made by “friends in Dallas Texas” with the year made.
Surely these are other blog readers in my “camp.” Let’s hear from you, and maybe we can convince Jo to start labeling her quilts. Go Team Label-Your-Quilts!
Thanks for sharing Cheryl!! You bring up some great points!!
I agree with you!! I’m commenting on another too! I was given my husband’s great-grandmother’s quilt and I did a big label with all the details of who made it and the family line down to me. I have several of my mother-in-laws quilts (her daughters weren’t interested!!) and they are all labeled! There is history on quilt labels!!
I agree with “there is history on quilt labels.” I sums up what I was trying to say. Good comment.
I’m in your camp.
I don’t label charity quilts, but do label quilts for friends and family. I’m lazy about labeling quilts that are “just because”. I’ve unearthed a couple of family quilts over the years that I really wish had been labeled…was this made by my great grandmother? Or was this made by church friends from the old neighborhood? I also wish I’d labeled some of my earlier quilts because I’d like to remember when I made it, or if there was anything special about it (bamboo batting? Special pattern? Helped by special friend?)
So as the quilt giver I feel the same way. No need to label I want the quilt used up. But as a quilt receiver I go the other way. My guild made quilts for my daughter, as time has passed we moved away and I no longer am a member of the guild. But the quilt they gave me was labeled and I get to remember each one of my lovely friends each time I flip the quilt over my daughter’s sleeping form. “When this you see, remember me” kind of thing.
Great point!!
I’m glad there is room for all opinions. I belong to a small church quilters group and we have been using labels for more than 20 years. More than 5k quilts donated. We are a small community and people know about us and comment individually to us. They also donate to our program. We call them comfort quilts and they are dedicated in a worship service. The labels are made on a computer and printed on printable fabric.
I also label my own quilts. I’ve been quilting and labeling for probably 35+ years. I like looking back to see when a quilt was made and enjoying the memories. I also label quilts made for family and friends. And I’ve started labeling antique quilts that I own. Who made them if I know or where I bought them. (I wish I knew their history.) So yes, I think labels are important. But I understand the reasons that people don’t.
I only put labels on quilts for my children. Otherwise. I just move on to the next quilt!
I don’t label charity quilts ever. The reason is that just because a child is sick or a family is in need of help does not mean they are good people. EVERYONE knows that quilts are worth a fortune and there have been cases of homes broken into just to get quilts to re-sell.
I write my first name, over by the binding in small letters, only in quilts I give friends and family. I never label anything else. I give many quilts to charity. I also thrift and find almost new, never washed quilts with labels. I take the labels off, wash the quilt and give it away. I have no clue why charities have to label anything.
I’ve done that as well Hedy.
Our quilt group labels our comfort quilts “This quilt is a warm hug made especially for you”. The sentiment is a stamp that is printed with permanent ink on a piece of muslin and stitched on with the binding.
I have my own personalized labels “made for with tender loving care by …” that i stitch on with the binding.
I like that wording for a label.
I’m on team Jo! I don’t require credit or recognition for the quilts I donate out into the community. And if I make a quilt and give it to you, you know.
I know there are people OBSESSED and ‘demand’ that quilts are labeled for future generations so I am a disappointment to them I suppose. Oh well ;-)
Totally agree with all five thoughts. I never include a label on my charity work. I just want them to be given and received. No strings attached, no recognition needed.
I’ve never labeled comfort/charity quilts. Your reasons all fit with my reasons for that. I do label most of the quilts I’ve made for family & friends. Like you, Jo, I ask people to use & enjoy them, and if they’re used up, hooray! Glad to make you more if you want. However, they don’t always get used up and decades later if they’re still around, it can be nice for subsequent family generations or a stranger who has it down the road to know it’s maker, when it was made & where I lived at the time. I have a utility quilt my dad gave me since I’m the only quilter in my immediate family. It was made by his grandma. Grandma Jesse, if I’m recalling correctly. I should have written the info down at the time because Dad passed suddenly 19 years ago. If I don’t label it soon, no one will know its provenance and honestly, that seems a bit sad to me. Even if my kids or grandkids don’t want it someone who loves quilts and feed sack fabric might…and they might find it very interesting to know just who made it & where she lived. When I make the label I also need to remember to put on what I know for sure that Dad told me: “She didn’t like sewing and it was the only one she ever made” Ha! She would have thought I was a quilt-making fool!
I rarely label quilts.
Never labeled a quilt or quilt top I make for donating, as it’s not about me / my skills.
Don’t think I have ever labeled a gift quilt either; you know me (or don’t know me), but it’s the event (or random nature of the gift) that should be remembered.
I have labeled a few of my own wall hangings, though. One was on display for a month somewhere, so needed a label; the other is so that someone in the future understands the historic connection to the project.
Love reading the variety of responses!
I don’t label either, others tell me I should but …
Interesting that she felt funny NOT putting a label on and I’m the complete opposite – I feel funny if I do put a label on because I don’t want to bring attention to myself AND putting a label on slows down the distribution of the quilt to whomever is in need of a quilt so I just skip it.
The person who established our group designed a very wordy label for us to use. It required the organization to put the name of the person who received it and the date it was received on the label. I had doubts that that would happen. When she moved, I stopped using the label and went to a simple label that named our quilt group as the maker and the year it was made. However, my husband designs specific labels for quilts given to family members to commemorate the occasion.
I think I feel as you do, Jo. My group is insulted if anyone refers to a quilt as a blanket, but that’s exactly how I want my quilts to be used. Seeing a quilt in a closet or hung on a wall makes me sad.
Our guild has a screen printed label with the guild’s name that is attached to all Community Quilts. On my own quilts, I generally put my name, name of the pattern and designer, and year. I do this as much so I remember as anything. If the back is light enough, I just write on the back with a permanent marker. Having worked on quilt documentation projects, having that information on the quilt can be helpful in the future.
I do put labels on my quilts. I actually use my embroidery machine and make the label on my backing fabric. Then I don’t have to go back after and hand stitch the label on. I make quilts for couples getting married so it is a permanent reminder of our love, prayers and support for them. I put a Bible verse on and on a separate label I put washing instructions because I like to use wool batting and I don’t want a young bride ruining the batting.
I do label my comfort quilts. I have them printed at Spoonflower. It does not include my name, but Quilts4 Comfort, a space I write in their first name if I get it. The label does not have a date. It has some words, like may the colors in the quilt remind you of…, may the design remind you of…, etc. I want the recipient to know I made the quilt for a person, not a charity and I believe a label shows the extra care. Two sides are sewn into the binding, the other 2 hand sewn. It is my practice in completing a comfort quilt.
That’s a good point that the quilt is made for a person. I never thought of that aspect!! THANKS for another way to think of it.
I label and don’t label for many of the reasons stated above. Another reason I label when I do label, is to credit the author of the pattern and the book in which it appeared.
I never thought of that. Great idea!!
We have over 15 quilts from my husband’s great grandmother. They are all labeled with the recipient only (except for the 2 that were for a generation not thought of yet). She expected they’d be used, loved, and eventually gone… She quilted to keep as much of her family warm as she possibly could. I like that concept! Most of the donation work I do goes to Project Linus, and they ask that no maker info be put on the quilts.
I do not label quilts – no matter who they are for. They are made by me for others to enjoy, Period. Our charity quilt guild does not label quilts, either – for many of the reasons Jo mentioned.
I’m in favor of labeling quilts. Nothing makes me happier than to name my quilts, I did find you charity label comments interesting. The groups I’m in labels them from the group rather than individuals. As one who is getting into studying quilt history, I wish more had been labeled or at least signed & dated my the maker. I often used my machine lettering to sign & date a quilt on the back with matching thread so it’s hardly is noticed.
I think it’s a good idea that the group name is used…
I am in the No Label for charity quilts camp, for sure. I do not need any acknowledgement for making a quilt for someone in need. For gifts to family &/or friends, I do label them. I am currently doing bindings for a GF whose mother died recently with many unfinished quilts. I am putting blanks labels on them with just the maker’s, her mom, name on them so that they have that memento of something made by a wonderful mother/aunt/gr’mother/aunt.
I don’t put labels on quilts either. It’s a gift ,I hope it helps. That’s all I need.
Jo, your notes are such a tonic! Today my daughter and I both tested positive for covid, and I needed a cup of tea and friendly chat. She is about to start round three of chemo for ovarian cancer, and her health is very precarious. Thanks to you, i got a happy distraction, ordered two new books and got approval for not labelling quilts. Thanks for being a friend I’ve never met! Jane
Hang in there Jane!! Being the caregiver is hard. Take those quilt books with you as you go to appointments and page through them dreaming of better days!!
I haven’t ever done anything in my life worthy of any type of recognition. Won’t ever label, acknowledge my involvement with anything I’ve done. Nobody will/would care anyway. There are too many out there who have earned to be acknowledged, remembered, passed on something they have done.
Thanks Everyone! I read and thought about all 15 remarks (as of 7/19-20 at midnight. This wonderful blog never gets old. Thanks Jo, no strings attached! I too, don’t label my quilts, for All Jo’s reasons plus I’m a perfectionist (not good enough) and I’m completely non-competitive.
Question: I want to cross stitch at 40 count with 1 thread. I’m 77 and even with magnifying glasses I have trouble with counting. A better light might help. Does anyone have a comment or special light to recommend? Jo mentioned one with an Amazon link, and I neglected to write it down (too $$). Now we have saved the money and my husband wants to get one for my birthday. Any ideas?Thanks Jo and friends. Peace and love to All!❤
Here is what I use. https://amzn.to/44P8j6D
Be patient with yourself. Stitching on the higher counts takes more time. It isn’t as fast. You can do it!! You might want reading glasses too!
I embroider my name, the date the quilt was finished, and to whom it is being given, but only if the quilt is going to a close family member. I also embroider my name and the date the quilt was finished on quilts I plan to keep for myself. When I complete a cross-stitch piece of any size, I also stitch in my name and the date I finished it. Hand-created pieces are pieces of art, and you deserve to be remembered as the artist who created them. However, I do not do this on quilts for donation for privacy reasons. I’m an antiquer, and I have often wondered about the women who finished the pieces I’ve found, and it’s always nice to know her name.
I label my quilts with a premade label (bought from a label company) that says Made with Love (or sometimes Stitched with Love) by Nikki, Virginia, USA. Most of my quilts are donated around the country and often are sent overseas. I hope when the recipient sees the label they are astounded that someone in the USA cares about them. I love knowing where things are made so I figure the recipient might be interested also. Not enough information is on the label for them to be able to get in touch with me so no acknowledgment is expected.
If I gift a quilt to family, I will make a personal label on my machine, including the recipient’s name, the date I made it, the name of the quilt, etc. I hope they use it, but also when I am gone I hope they will still have it and remember me fondly when they see the label. If it turns out they give it to Goodwill, I hope someone buys it and says what a great quilt Nikki made!
Hi jo! i never put a lable on any of my quilts, mostly made for children and grandchildren and then my kids started requesting a lable. so i made a small one [at the dutch lable shop, self desiged] that just says “the bubbie line” with a cute baby faced on it. they love them so i keep using them. i just sew them into the binding when i put it on, all of an extra 2 seconds to center them!!! but myself, to totally agree with you.
I only label the quilts I make for friends and family. I do not label charity quilts or quilts I make to sell.
I don’t label quilts made for charity. All other quilts are labeled with the name of the quilt, name of recipient, if it is for a special event, it gets that, my name, city, state and the date. My kids live in tornado alley, except for the one in the military, so I always think about a tornado destroying their home and hope that if a quilt survives, it may come home if someone tries to track me down (small town). Same for losing quilts in a military move. I have some quilts from my dad’s family and wish I knew who had made them and when. I think they were made by my great-grandmother, but I’m not sure. Some are flour sacks with a wool blanket as the “batting”. I also inherited a couple of “in progress” quilts that I finished…I put the name of my friend on the label as well. When I put together quilts for the soldiers deployed with my daughter, I received donations of blocks, quilt tops and finished quilts when I asked for help. Those quilts all had labels with the names of everyone who worked on the quilt – some had 12 blocks from all over the country with the first name and state of the person who donated a block, the names of the quilters who put those blocks together, quilted it and bound it. My little bee group helped with the putting of the block together, quilting and binding, along with the grandson of one of the ladies and he was visiting from Australia!!
Jo, I really appreciate your thoughts on labels. I quilt with a tiny group of friends for a local charity helping runaway teens. We don’t want credit for these quilts, so I am starting to attach a label which reads “Soli Deo Gloria,” along with the date. That way, the recipient (or any future owner) knows when the quilt was made but should never feel the need to thank anyone but God for the gift.
I have only been quilting since I retired, about 4 years. I love making quilts and feel they are a work of art, even though they aren’t perfect. A dear friend in my group would say, “You can’t see it from a galloping horse”, If I was questioning ripping it out! She is now gone! My mom has been gone for 10 years and I love looking back at when she made quilts and display her hand embroidered and quilted quilts! Would an artist not sign his work? My family will laugh at my quilt label that says, “Quilt from Hell!” lol! I do label my quilts!
Work of art, Love this view!
In general, I do not label. Never on a charity quilt. I have put a label on when the quilt was for a specific milestone, like a house warming gift. I feel odd adding a label. As with others, I don’t require recognition. I agree that if it is an heirloom quilt, which I categorize as a quilt that will never get used, than the history of the quilt should be recorded. My ball plays in the court – use the quilt, don’t hang or box it!
I’m not a quilter, so I can’t speak to this as a maker. However, here is one POV in favor of labeling a non-charity quilt – when my MIL passed away we found an old quilt in her cedar chest but have no idea of the provenance. It would have been nice to know who made it and when. Was it a family heirloom…or just some random quilt that was stored away and forgotten about…etc.?
I’ve been trained to label quilts for myself or gifts for others. I have received several quilts made by my mother, my great grandmother, or my husband’s family. I know enough of the story to make a label so if anyone wants to know the history in the future, it will be there. I don’t label charity quilts. One of the groups I’m in that makes comfort quilts includes a business card with comforting words on it.
Hi Jo
About labels for quilts. Family gets the works, my name and theirs and relationship, grand child or great grandie whatever. I hate the term charity quilts. I would hate to think I was a charity case. I prefer the term quilting for others. These quilts are labelled with my name, state and year completed.
A friend died nearly 2 years ago . Her label had the works on it and her daughter treasures this quilt [her only one] as a memory of her Mother and as a gift I made for her.
A year or two before we moved my mom from her home to assisted living we went through all the quilts in her sewing room. She told me which quilts she made, which ones her long deceased cousin made, which ones she purchased at estate sells or at the goodwill. I would have had no idea which quilts she made as we lived nearly a 1000 miles apart so I had not seen her working on numerous quilts that she had stashed in her room. I think labels are very important for all quilts given to family and friends. At the very least it is easy to purchase labels with just your full name or first name and initial of your last name to stitch in the binding which takes no time to do. I use Bonnie Hunter’s label method so 2 sides are sewn in with the binding and for baby quilts I usually top stitch the 3rd side down rather than hand stitching. I keep several 8.5 inch squares cut, pressed in half on the diagonal, ready to use. I have triangle templates from freezer paper that I drew lines on to slip between the 2 layers to help keep my handwritten lines straight. I include the occasion for the gift, recipients name, made by, quilted by if not me, my hometown, and the year given or in the case of baby quilts, year born.
Also, my mom made a double wedding ring quilt for our 25th anniversary and she hand quilted it including her name and the month/year in the quilting.
I don’t put labels on quilts I donate for the reasons Jazz explained in her comment. I put labels on gifts with the recipient’s name and the date of the occasion (birth, wedding, etc.) and my name and location. I always include a card expressing my desire that it be used and loved and that I will be happy to repair it any time. Since gifts are usually from both my husband and I, I usually include his name on the label. I feel that he has been a partner in making the quilt since he helps with design decisions and gives me encouragement when I get frustrated.
I felt #5 and it hurt my whole heart ❤️
Our grandsons graduation quilt has his name, graduation date & 2 verses; the 1st, gain knowledge, the 2nd, get wisdom. As he heads off to college I pray these verses over him as encouragement for him.
I also appreciate the quilt I have that my mom had from the hospital before she went into Hospice, that’s why I think it’s so important to give encouragement on labels & why I pray over them! I also pray blessings over the maker.
I prefer just to put a general label on a quilt I’m donating – Handmade for you, Made with love. I hope it will make the recipient feel special and cared for.
I do label gifts for friends and family. I don’t think it stops them from being used or loved.
I don’t put labels on donation quilts for the reasons you stated. I do however label all the ones I make for friends or family. I often times “tell” a story with the label.