On Labels Again
August 31, 2009 11:24AM | Filed Under Technique:Finishing |
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I often say that I love every part of the quiltmaking process but the truth is I hate doing labels. Oh I can recite all the reasons that labels are good and desirable things but still I will sometimes dispatch quilts into the big wide world sans labels rather than confront the challenges of label creation.
I have messy handwriting, which deteriorates the more I use a computer keyboard, and pigma pens seem to scratch, blotch and blob in unexpected and unwelcome ways. My inkjet printer tends to choke, jam and smear ink when presented with fabric sheets. (I don’t want to buy a new printer as I have a wonderful colour laser printer for regular use and the inkjet printer is used only occasionally.) My sewing machine has limited embroidery, alphabet functionality and hand embroidery takes too long. What to do?
I haven’t tried it yet but making labels using iron on transfer sheets seems like an elegant solution. Sandra of Pepperberry & Co’s has a Tutorial for Iron On Labels for Your Crafty Products with the following steps including getting the most out of plain old Microsoft Word:
- create your label elements;
- merge your label elements;
- flip your label;
- multiply your label;and
- print & iron.
I’d love to hear how you label your textile works.
I use pens that don’t blob etc - have pigma but often use artline technical waterproof pigment ink pens and just write directly on the back of the work.
Alternatively use your colour laser printer on a thin paper (one that won’t effect the hand of the quilt) and spray it each side with 606 (fusible web in a can), then if you iron it on to your quilt (using an applique mat or baking paper to protect the iron) it should be both permanent and washable.
Haven’t tried this yet but Vic textiles mentioned this use of 606 for washable clothing using pics cut out from magazines etc in their last newsletter.
Other times I just stitch the label either with freemotion or using the alphabet letters that come with the machine.
Comment by neroli — August 31, 2009 1:27 PM#
Oh and you can buy pre-packaged fabric sheets with a paper backing to feed through your inkjet printer but would only advise them if your printer uses pigment ink so they don’t fade over time.
Comment by neroli — August 31, 2009 1:28 PM#
I used to design & print custom label transfers for people, and they’re okay. Much crisper results than BJS or similar, IMO, but you do get that slightly plastic-coated feel. My own labels are often as not not - either I don’t put one on (tsk tsk) or I write directly on the backing with Fabrico pens. I like doing the latter actually, lets me scrawl bits of verse or whatever in amongst the quilting. Very occasionally I make a label to stitch on (usually only if the backing fabric is too dark or busy), but again it’s usually just my own handwriting & Fabrico pens.
Comment by sion — August 31, 2009 1:51 PM#
I use inkjet transfer paper for my labels. I use the type that’s made for dark fabrics. That way I can use the labels on any color of background fabric I desire. I usually iron the label to a piece of fabric, not directly to the quilt, just in case something doesn’t turn out right. Then I stitch the fabric piece with label attached to the quilt.
Comment by Terri — August 31, 2009 10:17 PM#
Pentel Arts makes the most WONDERFUL gel pen for fabric. http://www.pentelarts.com/products/gelroller.html
I hope you can get it there because it will change your life. lol The pen glides beautifully across fabric and I’ve used it to write across an entire background piece (of course the quilt was a 12×12 so it wasn’t a huge undertaking). I usually iron the fabric to some freezer paper to make it nice and stiff and easier to write on. The worst part of the pen is that it only comes in three colors: black, blue and red. I would love to have a brown, green and white too.
The worst part of label making for me is two fold:
1)Coming up with a name for the quilt. Some quilts just don’t want to reveal their name to me.
2)Sewing the label on once I have finished. Once I complete the quilting and binding, I’m done and don’t want to do anything else to the quilt. If I were smarter I’d stitch the label on before quilting so I could truely be done once the quilting is done. However I don’t find myself that smart very often. ;D
Comment by Lisa — September 1, 2009 12:32 AM#
P.S. If they aren’t readily available email me your address and I will mail a Pentel Fabric pen to you!
Comment by Lisa — September 1, 2009 12:36 AM#
I always write directly onto the back of the quilt, even if I stitch an extra label over the top. One of the pens I have used was a Pentel but I think it dried up and got thrown away. Several Artline permanent markers are ok. I intend testing everything I can find, pressing and then washing to see what works and what doesn’t.
Whatever method you use please add yuor name and the date at least!
Judy B
Comment by Judy B — September 1, 2009 4:23 PM#
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. And Lisa, I’ll be travelling to the US later this year so will keep a lookout for the Pentel gel pens for fabric. I’ll have to work on my handwriting though!
Comment by Brenda — September 1, 2009 4:58 PM#
Brenda,
I relate to the problem of of labels and cant offer any hints; because i only make quilts for fun and give them to family and friends so I write with Pigma Pens on the back and heat set that I cant ever imagine putting a quilt in a show so don’t worry too much. Like you my handwriting is pretty poor. I am thinking however of printing my labels - I have an Epsom CX7300 which prints fabric quite well either commercial fabric sheets or fabric ironed on to Renyolds Freezer Paper. When i bought my Epsom inkjet printer it only cost a bit over $ 100.00. and I saw them after I bought it for less than $ 100. I have just read the above comments and I am repeating the same info sorry, but was surprised that others write direct too though it was only me.
Comment by Judy — September 2, 2009 4:12 PM#