This article contains Etsy affiliate links. This means, that if you purchase one of the items from Etsy that I have recommended, I'll get a small commission at no additional cost to you! This helps me to continue producing educational content like this article!
Using Hand Embroidery To Make Quilt Labels
I've just gathered my supplies to make a quilt label for one of my most recent finishes. And I thought while I'm at it, I would share with you how I make my hand embroidered quilt labels. With the theme for QM25 being Stories, it seems like an appropriate topic!
Today, I'll be using my favourite method of embroidery which uses Sulky's Sticky Fabri-solvy. Sticky Fabri-solvy is a printable, water-soluble stabilizer that also features a sticky side so that you can temporarily attach it to fabric. While you can use a temporary fabric marker or pen to design your labels, I find this method to produce the best results. Not only can you print motifs and elaborate designs onto the Fabri-solvy, you can then write your desired info onto it with a standard pen.
Supplies You'll Need
- Fabric scrap big enough to fit your label, plus 1/2" seam allowance on all sides.
- Sulky's Sticky Fabri-Solvy or a similar printable, wash away stabilizer.
- DMC floss or similar 6-strand cotton embroidery floss
- Embroidery Hoop
- Embroidery Needle
- Thimble, optional
- Pen
- Printer
For attaching the label to your quilt, you'll need:
- Piecing thread, such as Aurifil
- Hand sewing needle
Now that you've got all of your supplies, it's time to decide on your label design. You could purchase a template from an Etsy seller like this one, or create your own on Canva. Once, you've got that figured out, you can go ahead and print it onto your Sticky Fabri-Solvy. I chose not to print mine with words because I want to hand-write the details. This just adds that extra special handmade touch in my opinion! If you've done like me, go ahead and fill in the details. It'll be a classic To: and With Love: and then the year the quilt top was completed, which for me is 2024.
At this point, I would trim away some of the excess Fabri-Solvy from around the design. Now centre the design filled Fabri-solvy onto your fabric scrap and stick it in place. You are now ready to hoop your fabric. Once that's done, you're ready to start stitching, so grab your thread and needle!
Finishing
Once you are done stitching your label, hold the label under running water for a few minutes until the Fabri-solvy is dissolved. Warm water will dissolve it faster than cold water. Once it's rinsed, lay it flat to dry. I use an old hand towel to dry it on.
When the label is dry, if you haven't yet, trim it to it's finished size, plus 1/2" seam allowance on all sides. Fold the seam allowance under and hand stitch it onto the back of your finished quilt using invisible stitches.
Essential Embroidery Stitches
There are thousands of beautiful embroidery stitches to choose from, but today I'll show you 4 of my favourites that I use in almost every project. These 4 will allow you to create many beautiful labels!
Backstitch
A backstitch is definitely a classic. It's used in all kinds of needlework. If you've ever done any hand sewing, you've probably encountered this stitch.
From the wrong side of the fabric, insert your needle at Point A (see diagram below). Draw the needle and thread through to the right side of your fabric. Now that your needle is on the right side of the fabric, insert the needle at Point B and come back up at Point C. For the next stitch, insert your needle at Point A again and come back up at Point D.
Repeat in the same manner following the lines of your design.
You can lengthen the stitches in any straight stretches and shorten again for corners and curves. Of course, if you prefer to do all small stitches that's always an option too!
Stem Stitch
The stem stitch is one of my favourites for lettering because it has that twisted, stem-like texture.
With needle on wrong side of fabric, insert at Point A. Insert needle at Point B. Bring the needle up on the inside of the existing stitch at Point C.
Repeat in the same manner following the lines of your design.
Much like the backstitch, it's helpful to make smaller stitches around curves and corners, although I tend not to make super big stitches with the stem stitch anyway because you don't want to loose the texture.
Lazy Daisy
Lazy daisy is a great stitch for making leaves or flower petals. It's easy and super fun to make.
Start with your needle on the wrong side of the fabric. Bring it up at Point A. Insert the needle back through at Point A, but do not pull the thread all the way through! You want to create a loop. Your needle should be back on the wrong side of the fabric with a loop of thread on the right side of the fabric.
Now, bring the needle up through Point B. At this point, you can pull your thread through and tighten the loop, but don't pull too hard or you'll pull the loop all the way through. You can just enough tension that the loop flattens against the fabric.
Finish off your lazy daisy by inserting your needle into Point C. This should be very close to Point B. In the diagram, it looks like it's quite far apart, but that's only so that you can see what's going on. You kind of want the thread from Point B and Point C to hug the thread that forms the loop or petal.
French Knot
French Knots are hands down my favourite embroidery stitch. Before I learned to embroider, I heard so many terrible things about them, but I mastered them pretty early on, and have been addicted ever since! French knots are great for periods and the dots on lowercase letters like i or j. I also love to use them as little flower buds.
If you're new to embroidery, practice a few of these before you begin your label. This will allow you to get the hang of it, without the pressure of messing up your actual project.
A few tips for successful French knots:
- I find it easiest to make them while seated at a table. It's helpful to have somewhere to rest down your hoop, but also to have a solid surface for then you are pushing the needle back through.
- Not too tight and not too loose. This takes practice. If you pull the thread too tightly around the needle, you'll never get the needle back through the fabric. If the thread is too loose, the knot will not form properly and will just look like a mess of thread.
- Wind the thread close to the needle, but not so close that you can't turn the needle to get it back in the hole. Again, there's no substitute for practice!
To make a French Knot, insert needle on the wrong side of your fabric at Point A. Once your thread and needle are back on the right side of the fabric, wrap your thread around the needle at least twice. Depending on how big you want the French knot, you can wrap it 3 or 4 times. Just watch your tension. You don't want it too tight!
Now insert your needle back into Point A. Pull the needle through the thread that's wrapped around it. Once you've pulled the thread all the way through, you should have yourself a French Knot!
Pro Tip
- When writing your label template, ensure that you keep your letters open and be mindful that your lowercase letters are not too small. I have a tendency to write very small lowercase letters, but this makes it super difficult to embroider. So be sure they are a manageable size.
Are you going to try making hand-embroidered quilt labels? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
About The Author
Hello there, I'm Abigail!
I've been quilting on and off since the age of 8! I have always loved quilts and quilting. I also love teaching about quilting and helping others to get started in this wonderful craft! My non-quilting hobbies include sewing, baking, and hand embroidery. You can find me on IG @abigaildkelly where I share snippets of work and life!
Product Spotlight
Sticky Fabri-Solvy 8x12in. Sheets
$30.00 CAD
