I am SO label challenged.
I am SO TERRIBLY BAD at putting labels on my quilts that I find it daunting to even start now!
All the quilts are ready to go to photography. If I hadn't put off putting labels on until the end, I would have been able to ship everything yesterday, but as it sits today....I'm still doing it!
Is there anyone else as bad as me out there? Why do I put it off so long?
I like to print labels on my laser jet. Should be easy right? Cut fabric to 8.5"X11"...fuse freezer paper to the back side and PRINT.
But oh no....I am such a "use everything up, make no waste" person, I can't do just one label on one sheet and have all that excess, so I tell myself to wait until I have four to do, and do them all at once, and then there will be no waste.
Brilliant idea except....it doesn't happen! I never do it. I bet MOST of the quilts in my whole trunk show have no labels on them. Bad Bonnie. Really bad! I've even had people at guild meetings point that out to me.
Is there a 12 step program for Label Un-ablers to motivate us to get these things on there? Maybe it's because I never know what to say about the quilt. I'm daunted by those who do really spectacular labels. (good excuse?!)
I've heard of people putting the label in the corner so the binding stitches down two sides so you only have two more to do. This is a good idea...cept these quilts are already bound. I'm too late to jump on that band wagon!
I've told myself to even put the label on the backing BEFORE QUILTING..but yeah, right..like that is ever going to happen?
I'm seriously thinking of just taking a sharpie marker and writing on the back of the dern things! Except.....most of my backings are so scrappy busy that even THAT won't show up. Pfffft.
The label graphics in this post are courtesy of victorianaquiltingdesigns.com
Maybe some of you will be better at doing this than I am! :cD
I'm not so good at labels either... And there's that whole wasting half a sheet business. My "solution" is to print a bunch of generic labels with my name, store name, website and "Finished Spring 2008" That way they are good for several months. I keep them with my binding stuff, all ironed and ready to tack on. I won't say it always works, but it's a start.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to get to work on OC today... Thanks for all you do.
Leslie in Maine
LOL! I don't label my quilts either, Bonnie. Don't know why, but I just never seem to remember to do so. Binding is my favorite part of quilting and you'd think I would just do it at the same time. But I don't. :o) And to go back and do them...hmmmm...no....
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting here chucking and I just had to 'snip' a bit back to you...you are definitely NOT alone in the "bad labeler" catagory...lots and lots of company.
ReplyDeleteI know who gal who sews the label-to-be right in the middle of the backing. Seems to work for her. I have NO solution tho, I just plain HATE to make labels. Big hugs, Finn
I'm not good about labels, but when I make them, I handwrite them with a Pigma pen onto fabric that I've stabilized with freezer paper. (Don't use a Sharpie -- after awhile they discolor the fabric nearby.) There's no waste that way. I choose a fancy computer font and print what I want to write onto plain paper, then with the help of a light box I trace it onto the fabric with the Pigma pen.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Even the "quilting goddess" herself struggles with labels! Whew!
ReplyDelete*whispering*...Bonnie, you're not alone! *pointing up*...see......there are at least 6 of us now who ALSO leave the labeling as last step/priority.
I've resorted to pigma pens and hand drawing/writing. Those blasted fabric printer sheets and the Bubble Jet Set haven't worked for me....I think I need a new iron---I don't think it gets hot enough.
-Amy
Oh my, a sister in unlabeling! I have the best intentions but a cabinet full of unlabeled quilts. I'm forever putting one on as I walk out the door with it.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I ruined a laser printer putting freezer paper in it. It melted the wax and clogged up the printer real good. Make sure your laser printer will take freezer paper! I have an old ink jet printer I use for printing fabric.
ReplyDeleteLabelling is a problem for me too. I don't have an inkjet and I didn't think you could do freezer paper/fabric in a laserjet. That's been my excuse. So I see somebody had problems with their laserjet. I wonder how one would find out if their laserjet can accept the freezer paper/fabric. Gail in Atlantic Canada.
ReplyDeleteWhen I remember to make a label, I make it on my embroidery machine. I have several designs and then I digitize my name and whatever else I want.....Ok, OK.... my DH does all the digitizing.... But I run the emb. machine...Does that count!!! I'm soooo bad at labeling, mostly don't remember until I am through and will do that later....My question, WHEN IS LATER? Bobbin aka J
ReplyDeleteLately, I've just been using left over blocks for labels. I often put a frame of muslin around a block, back it with muslin and get it on. We won't mention I've yet to actually write anything on the last 3 finished quilt labels. But hey, they're on there.
ReplyDeleteWhen I start a new quilt I then begin the label. I embroider all my labels by hand & add a small flower to them. Mind you it usualy takes me a month or more to make a quilt sometimes longer, so I have plenty of time to get the label done. I don't roll out the quilts like Bonnie who can make them a mile a minute it seems. I'm so envious..lol I sit at night with my small embroidery hoop and just pick out pretty floss and personalise each one. example...For Nana's special angel, lots of love, May 2008
ReplyDeleteThis would be on 3 lines. If the quilt has a name I will also include that. Just my little quirk. :-)Fran
I hate to label also so don't feel bad. It looks like there are quite a few of us out there. Maybe there should be some type of unlabelers anonomous!
ReplyDeleteI don't do a good job on labels either. If it is a gift, I make an effort, but otherwise....sigh. I have resorted to pigma pens on the backing, quilting in my name and year while free-motion quilting, or just nothing.
ReplyDeleteI sign them with a fabric marker so I don't forget stuff. I tell myself that if I want to make a fancy label later, I will sew over the marker and no one will be the wiser. NB: I have never actually done this, but I could.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great tutorials- I'm really enjoying them!
PS- in my class with Gwen Marston, she said that she does that as well, sometimes. Good enough for Gwen is good enough for me!
ReplyDeleteOn my first visit to our LQS, for my very first quilt, I saw some fabric labels on a roll. Not knowing any better I bought 25 - so now everyone gets labels with roses on, regardless of how appropriate they are. There's no way I'm going to waste them!
ReplyDeleteA friend gave me a good idea for printing labels - attach the fabric to an A4 sheet of acetate with masking tape and put it through the printer - it does work!
ReplyDeleteQuilts do have a label if they are made for someone, but if it is to stay here, then fabric marker on the back!
Unfortunatley, I dont label my quilts either!! It is a bad habit, in years to come people will want to know the history behind the quilt....i really must try harder lol!!
ReplyDeleteSince I am in the phase of my life where I am making pieced backings (read - stash reduction), the label becomes a part of the back. That way, by the time quilting and binding are done, I don't have to face the 'pain' of labeling.
ReplyDeleteRecently did a graduation quilt and used a whole poem, printed on 10.5 sq fabric.
I not only label my quilts but I put the label on "before" I longarm. Just my way.
ReplyDeleteahhhh - I have a LOT of quilts with no labels because I just can't ever figure out what I want to do for a label! I"m probably worse than you!
ReplyDelete