Adding a Label to Your Quilts

Adding a Label to Your Quilts

Don’t forget to add a label to your finished quilt. A label will tell generations to come the story of this quilt: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. It will help identify the quilt should it become lost or stolen, and will increase the value of the quilt at appraisal time

A quilt label can be as simple as a signature on the back or as elaborate as a heavily decorated two-page story. If you only have time for a quick label, just sign and date the back of the quilt with an archival ink (acid-free) quality pen. Or you could embroider, cross stitch or stamp your name and date on the front of the quilt as part of the design.

You could also sign your name on the edge of the quilt, where it will be covered by the binding. Maybe some lucky quilt historian will find it.

Preserve your place in history. Sign and date your quilts!

How to Make a Quillow

A quillow is a quilt with a reversible pocket strategically sewn on the quilt so it can be folded up to fit inside the pocket, making a pillow. These are the perfect sleepover accessory for kids to take with them or a nice item to keep in the car on long trips. Great for a couch throw, too.

Quillows can be made any size, and are fun to do in a theme such as “bugs” or “autumn.” To make a small quillow, you will need 2 yards of fabric for the top, 2 yards for the back, an 18″ square for the right side of the pillow (do you have an orphan block you could use?), and an 18″ square for the wrong side, plus a crib size batting.

Start by placing the top and bottom pieces right sides together. Put the batting on top. Sew along all four edges, leaving a 6-8″ opening. Turn your quilt inside out. Sew the opening closed. Topstitch along edges using your walking foot. Quilt or tie as desired to finish it.

To make the pillow pocket, repeat this process with the 18-inch squares. Quilt the pocket (if desired), then pin this pocket to the center bottom of the top of the quilt. Sew around both sides and the bottom, leaving the top open. That is where you will put your folded-up quilt. Again, a walking foot is really helpful.

To fold it, turn the quillow over so that the pocket is on the bottom. Fold lengthwise into thirds, overlapping the center. Roll or fold the quilt into 18-inch sections. When you get to the end, the entire quilt will have been folded into an 18-inch block. Turn the pocket inside out over the top of the block, making a pillow. Now it looks like a pillow. Enjoy!