What to Include on Quilt Labels

By National Quilters Circle Editors

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When making a quilt label, is it appropriate to include the name of the person who designed the pattern? And is it necessary to contact the designer of a quilt pattern to receive permission to enter a quilt (made using that pattern) in a quilt show?



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When it comes to quilt labels, you can include any information that you think is important. So if later on you want to remember who designed the quilt I would absolutely include it. I would also include who made and quilted it along with the year it was made. Other fun information to include could be who it was made for, if someone special.

In reference to your second question, this may depend on the type of show you are entering it in. In general however, I would say that yes you need to ask for permission. Here is a line from entry guidelines for an AQS quilt show:

“Any quilt that cannot be defined as an original piece requires written design permission from the inspiration(s) source.”

Hope this helps!

Ashley

Related links and video:

How to Use Printed Quilt Labels
How to Make an Embroidery Quilt Label
Labeling and Displaying Quilts

How to Make a Quilt Label Out of Fabric

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20 Responses to “What to Include on Quilt Labels”

  1. Debra Phillips

    I make my labels like she did in the video, after I cut the slit in the back I tuck in a few pieces of fabrics from the quilt, just in case it’s needed for repairs later. I will also include that information at the bottom of the label, just so they know it’s there. I will also make another label with washing instructions

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Linda. Thanks for contacting the National Quilters Circle with your question. The topic of quilt labels is always very subjective. The information you include on a label is always your call. There have been times when I have included the quilter and other times there just wasn’t space after I had everything I really wanted on the label. If the quilting is exceptional and you want to acknowledge the individual who provided that service, then include them. Keep in mind, it’s your quilt, your decision.
      Happy Quilting
      Colleen
      National Quilters Circle

      Reply
  3. Susan

    Please send me the name of the company for the pre treated fabric paper for the printer to make labels. Thank you

    Reply
  4. Bobbie Stoner

    If it is a gift quilt, I add a second label that states the fiber content, batting content, and washing instructions. Do not assume a recipient knows how to care for a quilt.

    Reply
  5. Barbara Fincham

    I just watched your tutorial on making quilt labels. Will the print from the label wash off when the quilt is washed?

    Reply
  6. Karen W

    I joined a quilt group in 2003 & for more than a decade now, I have made embroidered quilt labels for all the quilts done by the group. We list the name/ title of the quilt, who pieced the top, our quilt group’s name (& recently started adding the city & state), as well as the names of all of the members who worked on that quilt. If the quilt maker/ owner wants, I will adjust the font/ wording as to the quilt’s intended recipient/ reason/ occasion. Most of the labels are approx. 4″ x 6″ – 5″ x 8″. I like to enclose the labels 2 edges under the binding & sometimes leave one edge open for pieces of fabrics used in the quilt & slip-stitch closed. This is generally special prints, which may be hard to find/ match — in case it needs mending at some point.

    Reply
  7. Eileen A. Larry

    I am happy to have the labels for the quilts and can hardly wait to print them. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  8. Mary

    I have sent several questions about the scrap quilt I am trying to start. Please help.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Mary,

      What are the questions that you have? We can send them to our experts to review.

      Thanks,
      Becky National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
        • Customer Service

          Hello Louise,

          Thank you for contacting us. Regarding your question. Cotton stuffing or batting. Cotton scraps, stuffing and batting are handy because most sewers and quilters have plenty in their stash.Ground walnut shells and Steel wool help with keeping the points nice and sharp.

          If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3538, or chat with us on our site.

          We greatly appreciate your business!

          Sincerely,

          Joan
          National Quilters Circle Video Membership

          Reply
      • Margaret

        I name the quilt and add a scripture verse for that person along with who it is for and who made it including maiden name how long I worked on quilt and date finished.

        Reply
  9. Pat

    I have always put my name, when completed, quilted by–, where I live and the recipient’s name( if that was why I made the quilt) on all my quilts. My grandmother never put any label information on her quilts and I am sure that many of her quilts are still around but great grandchildren or their families do not know who made the snuggle quilts they still use. In 2000 I began to add another number to all my quilts. Whether it is a 12″ x12″” wall art quilt up to a king sized I have now a “Log” number at the very bottom of the label. A woman I met in a quilt shop in Bath, England in late 1999 told me that if you make 3 or more quilts a year for 5 or more years you will forget details so I should keep a “log book” of my work. I had been making quilts for about 20+ years by that time but I decided I would start my log register on January 1, 2000. My number system —— lists the year made-the number that quilt is on that year’s list – and the total number of quilts since I started my list. I make a lot of charity quilts and family( cousins,their kids and grandchildren, all my nieces and nephews and their kids and grandkids, and a few close family friends and their families, SO— my last quilt for an auction to support our local Gig Harbor Yacht Club has the number 2017-9-380 on the bottom of the label. By the way, of those 380 quilts in the past 16+ years, only 4 have gone to a commercial long arm quilter. Only about 1/4 were wall or tiny crib sized pieces. The rest are being used by the owners.

    Reply
    • Lucile

      Needle felted wool roving is great for pin cushions and I always add weight to the bottom for stability.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi, Patricia. Pincushion projects are great because you can stuff them with almost anything. You can use old scraps of fabric, small bits of quilt batting, or my favorite- just a small amount of polyester fiberfill. I find that it is easiest to stuff into your pincushion and provides a good shape.

      Reply
  11. merry

    I have just finished pinning my quilt, ready to start sewing. I have a babylock journey, the setting are 2.5 and 4.0, what should the settings be for quilting, the batting is thin packaged. I also want to know the setting I would use for free motion quilting

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Merry. I am not overly familiar with that exact brand of machine, so I would recommend consulting your machine manual to see what it recommends. In general, when I am quilting I will have my stitch length on either 2.5 or 3.0. When doing free motion quilting you won’t actually set your machine on anything, as you will be determining the stitch length as you move your fabric under the free dogs.

      Hope this helps!

      Reply