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How to Permanently Label a Quilt
A quilt without a label is an anonymous object. Fifty years from now, no one will know who made it, when, or for whom. A label sewn to the backing changes that. It is the most durable record a quilt can have, because it travels with the quilt itself.
Why the label matters
The label doesn't need to be decorative, though it can be. It needs to be legible, permanent, and attached in a way that will survive washing and use.
What to include
At minimum, a quilt label should carry:
- Your full name (not just “Grandma”)
- The year
For a more complete label, consider including:
- The full date of completion or gifting
- The recipient's name and/or occasion (if it was made as a gift)
- Your city or town
- Pattern name
Future generations will be grateful for every detail you include.
Methods that last
Permanent fabric marker
The simplest approach. Write directly onto a piece of solid fabric (muslin or a pale cotton work well), heat-set it with an iron, and stitch it to the backing. Choose a marker specifically rated for fabric, not a standard permanent marker. Dritz Fine Line Fabric Markers are a reliable choice available at many quilt shops and craft stores.
Embroidery
This method is slower, but beautifully permanent. Hand-stitched letters in a simple stem stitch or backstitch create a lasting, custom label. Consider embroidering on a separate piece of fabric (using an embroidery hoop). When the embroidery is complete, trim the label to size, and iron the edges under. Use a piece of fusible interfacing to fuse the embroidered label to the back corner of the quilt, and then handstitch the edges of the label down.
Printed fabric labels
Did you know that you can print directly onto fabric, using an inkjet home printer? You can purchase products such as Avery's “Printable Fabric Sheets” or Cricut's “Printable Iron-On for Light Fabrics” at craft stores. Once printed, ironing the label onto your quilt will both heat-set the ink and activate the sheet's adhesive. Note: this type of printable fabric will not work with the high fusing temperatures of laserjet printers, so make sure to check your printer type first!
Custom labels
For a bespoke label, you can purchase custom fabric labels online. Navigate to Etsy and search for “custom fabric label” to view dozens of options. You can purchase labels professionally printed on cotton, satin, or twill webbing. For a premium price, you can also find custom damask woven labels, or heat-embossed on velvet. To save money, consider ordering custom labels with the text “Made by ___,” then add the date to the quilt with a permanent fabric marker.
Note: custom labels often come in multiple edge options. “Folded” labels are intended to have one side sewn into a binding seam. “Sewn in” labels are usually flat, intended to be stitched down on all four sides.
Placement and attachment
Stitch the label to the lower right corner of the backing, as viewed from the back. This is the traditional placement, and it's where anyone handling the quilt will look first. Use a blind stitch or whip stitch around all four edges. Don't leave any edge open; a partially attached label can catch and tear.
We recommend making (or purchasing) multiple labels ahead of time. That way, you can sew one on as soon as you finish a quilt, before you forget. To help you follow through, Quiltacy will remind you to add a quilt label with every completed Quilt Record, and whenever you convert a Work in Progress to a completed project.