World Wide Quilting Page

Question of the Week

Question for the week of July 13, 1998:

Our question this week comes from Erica

I'm looking for new, creative ways to sign my quilts. Any suggestions?

SarahAnn :
When I machine quilt, I "write in cursive" my name, town and the date (or a message to the person receiving the gift) I do this when I quilt "free-style" (Put on your darning foot, drop the feed dogs and away you go). If its a gift, the receiver has great fun searching for the messages.

MaryAnn Jackman :
I draw my labels with a Pigma or fine
point Sharpie pen on unbleached muslin.
I usually draw a design of leaves, vines
& berries around the outside edges as a
border & sign my name, add the date, the
place, & information about the quilt.
I then applique the label to the back of
the quilt.
June Schaffran :
I used my computer! My father was in a
convalescent home and I needed to incorporate
his name, mine as quilt creator, and the
laundry instructions. I used computer graphics
which followed the theme of the quilt and then
printed it onto transfer paper which I ironed
on fabric and sewed on the back of the quilt. It
was very attractive and contained all the necessary
information, plus a date and dedication to him.

Another way I have signed my quilts is by using
a cross-stitched block on the actual bottom corner
of the quilt. There I incorporated my signature
emblem character.

tlp :
Remember that your quilt may not be cherished until you are gone from this earth. Do you know what I would give to see my grandmother sign her name again?? Sign your name and then stitch over it in embrodiery to save for a long time. Something from a computer printer won't mean near as much to those who love you. Let's leave something for the next generation to hold onto.
Wynette :
You might want to try the old method of signing, by actually quilting in your name, place and date into the quilting. I have seen this on quilts from the 19th C.
Connie :
I recently made a 50th anniversary quilt I made my label on the computer with script writting and had a picture of me included with it. When I went to the print shop to have the photos copied I included this.
Lenora :
I cross stitch my name, the date, and a verse of scripture or message onto a section of a quilt block using waste canvas. Sometimes I cross stitch a border, or an icon as well
Dottie :
I am a little old fashioned and don't have a lot to spend, so I make quilt labels by tracing with a Micron pen onto white square of fabric, designs from a quilt label book I found in a shop in Seattle. It has several fonts for tracing letters (I am shakey with my hands sometimes) hearts, leaves and vines, birds, flowers, baby things and the like.
Jennifer in KS :
I have a rubber stamp I use as my "hallmark." I scanned/copied an image from an Art Noveau copyright-free clip art book, printed out the image and took it to a rubber stamp business that made the stamp for me. I stamp it on my label and write my name, city and state, date of quilt, etc on the label and sew it on. Also, the image has a small window in it that is perfect for writing which project number that particular quilt had. (I'm up to project #30, I think.) What fun!
Charlotte Seaton :
It may be "out of date" since the age of computers, but I still cross-stitch my labels with name, city and state, date finished, name of quilt, and sew by hand onto the back of the quilt in one of the corners.
anthony in sunny florida :
Taking a cue from other artists, I now sign my quilts on the front. In an inconspicous corner, using a fine point permanent marker, I sign my name, city and the year. Markers now come in every color and point size you will ever need. Now when you view my art, if you look closely, you can see who made it, when and where. And, unlike a label, it can't be removed.
Ilse Poole :
I scan some of my work and create a label and print it on fabric ironed to visaflex ot freezer paper
Debbie S :
I use Printmaster Gold to scan a photo of myself and then add the name of the quilt and other info. Then using inkjet tranfer paper in my printer I print my label and tranfer it onto to fabric.
Renee :
I purchased the virtual quilt labels computer program on 3.5 inch floppy disc from CompuQuilt. I like the quilt labels. A nice variety and I can print my name through the computer if I don't want to sign it with a pen after printing it. It prints in color or B&W.
LOREEN@IBM.NET :
My quilt shop does custom embroidery on their bernina's I'm too poor for such a fancy machine. They have several design cards to choose from, and the cost isn't too bad. That way I can really personalize my gift.

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