Fabric Quilt Labels 101

What Is A Quilt Label?

I get a LOT of questions about quilt labels.  What are they, where do they go, why do I need one?

Do you have a favorite quilt that you've had since you were a baby?  Maybe you are lucky enough to sleep under a quilt that your grandmother made.  Do you know when that quilt was made?  Or why you now have it?   A quilt label will tell generations to come why this quilt is important.

We make hundreds of quilts each year, and while we think they should all have a label on the quilt to document the quilt, that is not always an option when creating quilts for others.

Label made for t-shirt quilt made of running/marathon tees. (left)

Why Are Quilt Labels Important?

When you make a quilt or have a t-shirt quilt made for a family member, of course they are going to remember that you gave it to them. There are many reasons why you make a quilt. Is it your first quilt? Wow, that is a big deal. Is it a quilt for a special occasion such as a baby or wedding shower? If it is a t-shirt quilt, there might be a theme for the shirts that will tell the story of this quilt. Maybe you don't have a specific reason for making the quilt, but you WANT to tell the future generations of your family why you made this quilt. Don't leave future generations wondering why you made this quilt.

Things You Might Include On a Label

• Quilt Title - Why did you make this quilt? A baby shower, marriage, graduation, running quilt or hobby?
• Name of the recipient - For Lindsey.... Grand-daughter. Whatever. Maybe you are making the quilt before you know the gender of a new baby.
• Name of person giving the quilt*  - We encourage you to tell your name, location and date of quilt being made.
• What was the occasion for making the quilt? (wedding, graduation, Christmas, new baby etc.) Anything special going on in the world that might be an influence? 
• When and Where the quilt was gifted. (For example, Houston Texas, 2020)
• Quilt Story - Why was this quilt made? Why did you choose the fabrics? The colors?

*Shadywood Quilts includes a branding label along with a care label on the back of the quilts that they make.

The t-shirts on the front of the quilt to the right, all refer to the Hoosier Burn Camp (HBC0 in Indiana.  The HBC on the label was modeled after several of the t-shirts used in the quilt from many years of involvement with HBC.

When deciding whether or not to include a label on the quilt you are having made you might want to consider whether the label is to just reflect a sentiment like the label on the left that talks about the loss of a loved one. 

We offer labels in simple Black and White text and an outline, or a little more whimsical ones in color for occasions like graduation or grade school memories.

When deciding on what sentiment that you would like included on your label, consider using the name of the recipient, the occasion, who it is from and the date.  Of course you can put anything you like here - it is YOUR label.

Here are some of the recent labels we have included on t-shirt quilts have been in color and have a more modern appearance.  Note that it includes the occasion, who it is for, who it is from, sentiment and date.   Anyone viewing this quilt in the future will know all about the quilt, from the t-shirts on the front, to the detailed label that tells a story about why this quilt was made especially for Jerra Jo.

We offer two options in creating your label.  A black and white version, and a color version.  Black and white label - $15.00, Color label is $25.00. Color label usually includes more than one color or a logo.

For a more abbreviated sentiment, you might consider have embroidery done (in house) for reasonable price.

Shadywood Quilts is a full service professional business that can help you complete your quilt at most any stage. We also 'fix' quilts made by non-professionals. If you get started, and don't feel you are going to be able to complete your quilt. Take pictures of your quilt in process, email it to us, and we can let you know if we can help you get it finished.