Percy Doodle, a finished mini quilt

Here's a little quilt I made last year.  I saw a call from Made by Marney for pictures of dogs.  I sent her one of mine and she turned him into a pattern.   Her version is in grey but it kept Percy's name.  I had fun gathering some fabrics from my stash and creating this likeness of our  wonderful dog.  This was not on my to do list, but I was so thrilled when she turned his picture into a pattern.  You can see her rendition and the picture I sent her here.  You may notice a watermark on the picture.  This is one of the things that slowed me up on my blog.   I decided I don't have to be consistent with it, but I will try to do this more often, and get better at it (I know the color is nearly impossible to see). 

There are two fun features on this quilt.  One is that I did a two fabric binding, from another blog that I follow sewfreshquilts.  It was easy and I love finish.  The back isn't quite perfect, but I'll get it there.

 And finally, there is this new label.  I saw ones that Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl ordered and I was hooked.  I had different labels before but never this many.  I ordered them from Kim @Tagtopia and they came promptly.  This is the first quilt I added them to and while I will do other labels by hand, I also love the idea of adding these.

February UFO (#5) done, and March UFO is ready for its finish (#3)

Well, if you have been following this blog, I am do the  UFO challenge at All People Quilt.  For me, this one was to do some labels and a brief label tutorial will follow in the next day or two.  I had 2 labels on my list, but it was a good month.  So I finished 2 labels and did 2 more for quilts that needed labels.  I am so happy with this little achievement.  Silly that it took so long.

NEW RESOLUTION:    When I make the binding, cut strips and label piece and put them in plastic bag with binding.

Really, wouldn't that be simple.  I intend to do it so that it becomes part of the finishing process.

So, here's my tutorial:

1.  Decide what is on your label.   Here is what I usually include:

• Quilt Name
• Your Name
• City, State
• Finished Date
• Techniques
• Pattern Name/Designer

2.  Put that information into a word processing document to help you see how it will layout.  I usually center the information

3.  Cut 2" strips for your label border, I usually use a piece that is from the front of the quilt and will help the label stand out on the back of the quilt.  Place the strips on the side.

4.  Cut a piece of fabric about the size you will need for the label itself.  8.5" square is a more than generous place to begin.

5.  Iron on freezer paper with lines to the back of the label fabric.  This is a piece I have used many times and you can find it here (I added the center line).

6.  Write out your label.   I did this in the evening and used my iPhone flashlight under my sewing machine table to help me see.  Use Pigma pens.

7.  Sew borders on label.  Usually I sew both long sides first.  Press seams towards the strips.  Add the short sides.  Press seams towards strips.

9.  To ease the attachment to the quilt,I press two more things.  First, I fold the corners towards the back side of the label, into the intersection of the seams.   Do this on all 4 corners.

10.  Press the borders towards the seams.  I usually do top and bottom first, sides last.  Turn over and press from front.

11.  Take to sewing machine and sew 1/4" away from edge to hold it down.  This makes appliquéing to the quilt back very simple.

12.  Attach to your quilt back - I usually use a blind stitch.

Here are my finished labels from my Leap Day work session!

UFO #5 is up!

The first of the month brings the next assignment in my UFO list from All People Quilt.   It's not a hard one, and that's good on this month of 29 days.  For me, it is the labeling project for a few quilts that were finished in 2015.  For now, it will have to wait until we return home, as we are relaxing in Maine.   None of the equipment is with me, but I can begin planning.

How do I do my labels?

Generally, I follow a few rules:

1. Include my name, location, dates to make the quilt (always rought estimate), techniques used (hand or machine piece, appliqué, hand or machine quilted, etc.) and pattern name/author.
2. Put all this into a word processing document to get them text centered
3. Think about including an image from the front of the quilt (I'll post some examples)
4. Draw out anything I am going to use to scale
5. Prepare label - usually a light colored fabric - and frame/bind  the label so it can be sewn on the quilt easily
6. Iron freezer paper with lines drawn with a Sharpie.
7. Write out the label with Pigma pens

When I am nearer my quilts, I'll do a little tutorial with some pictures.  Like many quilters, I often don't label unless I am giving the quilt away or putting it in a show.  This stops now!