labeling your quilt

As we finish up our quilts, we sometimes forget the most important step of "signing" our work with a quilt label. There are so many ways to make a beautiful label for your quilt, don't forget to do it!

I have experimented over the years with different labeling techniques such as using a permanent marker, embroidery floss, designs on t-shirt transfers, iron on ink transfers and professionally printed labels. One of the easiest ways is to use a permanent fabric marker and write on a light piece of fabric and then sew this to the back of your quilt. I have never used a stamp, but would love to have one designed. I saw this quite a bit in Amish Country.

I generally prefer to use computer generated designs on t-shirt transfers and then iron onto light fabric and sew by hand. This gives me the most freedom to design a label according to the design of the quilt and personalize to the recipient. My problem here is the stiffness of the label, but as long it isn't majorly used, it won't interfere with the cuddliness of the quilt.

Since embroidery is NOT my best trait, I usually prefer not to use this technique. I love the work that some quilters bring to their labels by outlining in a fabric used in the quilt and then embroidering the information. Ich beneide diesen Kunst und die Kunstlerinnen. I don't have the patience.

Some important facts to write on your label:

Quiltmaker
Quilt Recipient
Date Made
Name of Quilt

What is your favorite way to "sign" your quilts? Please leave a comment or link so we can all get inspired!

gefaltener Stern - Anleitung in deutsch

Good morning ladies and gentleman! I know there are actually a few men out there that like to quilt and sew too, so I don't want to neglect you.

A few months ago, I came across a technique that I didn't know - the fancy folded star written by Maria Wallin of notonlyquilts.com. It looks somewhat similar to the folded trivet star that was seen a lot around in the 1980's and widely spread throughout Amish Country in Pennsylvania.

I kept this technique stored on my hard drive (as my son would say) until the theme of "stars and stripes" for the Doll Quilt Monthly swap approached. I pulled it back out and thought I could use this technique for my stars.

So, I made my little quilt and took it to my local monthly quilt group (guild); they really liked it! We decided I would show them how to make the stars using Maria's technique with her permission of course! Maria is a very sweet young Swedish woman living in/on Malta. She told me everything was okay, and I could go ahead with the translation of her technique/pattern into German.

I have made three stars now using this technique and all of them are very unique. The most important thing that I can say is, take your time and pull those fold snug, and make sure there is a flowing contrast on the fabrics you pick out for your stars.

I am looking forward to next month's Quilttreff to see what the ladies have done with their lovely folded stars. (I just showed them the technique, but didn't say how or what they should use them for.) Even though we all started out using eight different pieces of fabric, we agreed that using six would also look very nice like the one pictured above. Sabine, the owner of Quilt Oase, decided to use bright-light fabrics making the center spiral out. I personally think it looks very pretty, but she thought the fabrics got lost along the way. I hope to have more pictures next month from our Quilt Group.

You can download the tutorial in GERMAN. Or go to Maria Wallin's website for an English version. Oh, and don't forget to show me your finished stars!

Diese Technik ist mit freundlicher Genehmigung von Maria Wallin (notonlyquilts.com) von mir aus dem Englischen für Euch übersetzt worden. Die Anleitung darf nicht für gewerbliche, sondern nur für private Zwecke bzw. in unserer Patchworkgruppen benutzt werden.

Diese Technik geht schnell und kann mit geringstem Aufwand gefertigt (genäht) werden. Sie sieht am schönsten aus, wenn kontrastreiche Stoffe von innen nach außen gehen.

Hier kann man die Anleitung herunterladen. Schick mir auch ein Bild von Deinem Stern!!

changing seasons

As I look out of the window, I see large, beautiful trees left over from the former German military base. Oh, how I always miss the Carolina blue sky in fall, but this year I am pleased to see the large trees with there different colors emerging, something I missed in my former village. We even had one or two days of that rich blue sky right here in Leipheim! I am enjoying fall this year in Germany with all of the beauty around me.

I have been keeping myself busy working on new patterns, a possible customer quilt, and a future project for Moda Bake Shop. {{Shhh...I don't want to jinx any of those.}} Life if finally getting back to "normal" again.

A few weeks ago, we went to Nördlingen to a festival. (I really do love living in Germany with all of the traditional festivals and heritage.) We came across a stand with these very lovely HAND PAINTED Springerle. During Christmastime, I love to bake cookies oder Plätzchen. However, Springerle are not easy for me. I have a few different stamps and a rolling pin with the various shapes, but whenever I try to make these, they NEVER turn out! 

The very nice female ARTIST not only baked these (perfectly), she also spent hours decorating them! You have to click on a picture to see the details!! They also hat the cutest little matching hanging ribbon. I really wanted to buy one, and told her I would come back. I was so afraid they would not make the trip back home and would break, that I didn't buy ANY! That is so terrible of me, I know. I really wish I had gone back. Now, I just have to punish myself with these beautiful pictures. If I ever see them again, I will buy them. I already have a place in my kitchen picked out for them! If anyone knows where I can buy them, please tell me. I will be forever grateful.