With just a little practice, you can quickly sew a nice, flat, inset label which can not be removed. You may want to try it with some scraps first.
Choose where you want your label to be on the quilt backing. Typically it is placed in the lower right hand corner of the back. Allow an extra two or three inches to the right of the label and below it so that later you can position the quilt top over it.
| 1. |
Trace around a 4x6 index card (or draw a rectangle whatever size you choose) onto the wrong side of the label fabric. (The wrong side of label fabric is shown in light pink, the right side of label fabric is shown in dark pink.) Put a dot in each corner and mark the dots A, B, C, and D as shown. (See illustration #1.) |
 |
| 2. |
Trace around a 4x6 index card (or draw a rectangle the same size as the one you drew on the label fabric) onto the wrong side of the backing fabric. (The wrong side of the backing fabric is shown in light blue, the right side of the backing fabric is shown in dark blue.) The lines you just drew on the label fabric and on the backing fabric will be the stitching lines. Put a dot in each corner and mark the dots A, B, C, and D as shown. (See illustration #2.) |
 |
| 3. |
On label fabric, draw a line 1/4" OUTSIDE the stitching line. Cut along this second line. (See illustration #3.) |
 |
| 4. |
On the quilt backing, draw a line 1/4" INSIDE the stitching line. Cut along this second line to make a hole in your backing. (See illustration #4.) |
 |
| 5. |
Place your label fabric right side up on your table. Throughout the sewing process, keep the label completely flat and right side up. If necessary, rotate the label so the A-B line is on the bottom and the C-D line is on the top. (See illustration #5.) |
 |
| 6. |
Place the backing fabric over the label with right sides together. Match dots A & B. Pin near corners. Stitch from dot A to dot B, backstitching 1-2 stitches at the start and finish. (See illustration #6.) Clip corners toward dots A and B up to 2 or 3 threads away from the dots. Press seam and backing away from label. |
 |
| 7. |
Rotate label so dots B and C on the label are on the top. Pivot backing at dot B so dots C on the backing and the label match. This will create a fold starting at dot B and extending toward the edge of your backing fabric. Pin near the corners. For smooth corners, it is important to stitch right up to the previous stitching but not past it. Stitch from dot B to dot C, backstitching 1-2 stitches at the start and finish. (See illustration #7.) Clip corner toward dot C up to 2 or 3 threads away from the dot. Press seam and backing away from label. Check the corner you just sewed. It should lay flat without any tucks. |
 |
| 8. |
Rotate label so dots C and D on the label are on the top. Pivot backing at dot C so dots D on the backing and the label match. This will create a fold starting at dot C and extending toward the edge of your backing fabric. Pin near the corners. Stitch from dot C to dot D, backstitching 1-2 stitches at the start and finish. (See illustration #8.) Clip corner toward dot D up to 2 or 3 threads away from the dot. Press seam and backing away from label. |
 |
| 9. |
Rotate label so dots D and A are on the top. Smooth the fabric so it lays flat between dots D & A. Stitch from dot D to dot A, backstitching 1-2 stitches at the start and finish. (See illustration #9.) |
 |
| 10. |
Press all seams toward the backing, away from the label. After it is pressed, the label should lay flat with no tucks in the corners. The label should look like it is surrounded by a frame.
|
|
