label tutorial

                                                                     

I'm back from the women's conference over in Grand Junction and I'm feeling very refreshed.  I learned so much and had many revelations and spent some quality time with my dearest friend and several other women I adore.  It really was a fabulous weekend.  Thank-you so much everyone for all your well wishes!

This is a quickie post for a tutorial on how to make labels for your creations out of fabric.  I had several questions after my last posting, so I hope this will answer all of them!

You will need:

• an ink-jet printer
• a prepackaged colorfast fabric sheet (like this)

First, create a label template on your computer (I used Microsoft word to do this) which has 4 columns across and 20 rows.  Each of the cells in the template should be about 2 inches wide and 1.5 inches tall. 

Next, put the word or words in the font you would like centered from side to side and in the top half of each cell just as the picture above indicates.

Put the fabric sheet in your printer face down and print. 

Let the ink dry for a couple minutes and then remove the paper backing from the sheet.

Press with a dry iron to set ink.

Rinse the fabric gently in cold water for a few seconds then remove from water and dab with a towel.  Finish drying fabric with a dry iron on high heat. 

Cut out each label and fold in half so the long edges can be inserted into a seam like so:

There you have it, your very own personalized fabric labels!

          

**EDIT**

I wanted to expand this tutorial to include just a wee bit more info based on the questions and comments I received. 

Firstly, make sure you buy the "colorfast" sheets.  I indicated this in the first part of the tutorial.

And secondly, I did a little experiment to see how the labels would stand up to machine washing and drying.

I sewed a label into a piece of scrap fabric and washed and dried it with a load of laundry and after pressing, this is what it looks like

If you do a close up of the pic, you can see the edges raveled a little bit (and if this bothers you, you could use a little fray-check on the edges before sewing the label into your project), but the ink looks perfect.  I'm very impressed with the way they launder!

Ok, that's all! 

Comments

[jacquie]

thanks...i'm finally going to get mine out and do it!

[Anna M.]

Thanks for this tutorial, Penny! I'm going to order some of those fabric sheets today and I can't wait to get started. Glad you had a fun time at your conference. Thanks again! =)

[Katie]

How does the ink on the labels stand up to washing?

[Karen]

Thank you so much for this little tutorial. I was looking at this fabric the other day and it said that you couldn't wash this after running through the printer.

Thanks again

Karen in IN

[Catty Ax Lady]

I'm happy you had such a wonderful time at your conference!!

LOVE the labels...ya know, if I sewed anything at all, ever, I'd love the tutorial too. And of course, the pink and brown baby stuff is to die for (as read in Lisa's blog). Great job, as usual!

[Marlene]

Thanks so much Penny - you answered all my questions! blessings, marlene

[Thimbleanna]

Thanks for the tutorial Penny -- they look great! Do you have any problem with the ends raveling?

[Vicki K]

Thank you Penny - that was a good and clear explanation. Your labels just set a cute finishing touch.

[Marcia]

The labels sure make items look more professional. Thanks for the tutorial.

[Stacey]

Ahhh...makes sense! Thanks for the info...hey, I left a thank you over at my blog, but also wanted to again thank you for the gift that you sent me!
That was so sweet of you....really, I am trying to think of a way to repay you! :)

Made my weekend...and your work is great!

[Amy]

I was just going to order some woven labels that take 4-6 weeks, but this would be so much faster! I had the same questions though about raveling and washing...

Thanks for the great idea!

[Missy]

Having another DUH moment! I've used those fabric sheets before on other projects. Now why didn't I ever think to make labels with them? Guess that's why I need you Penny! Thanks for sharing!!! What a great idea!!!

[Titi]

Thank you so much for this little tutorial,
I love your work is beautiful, congratulation.
Kisses from Chile.
Titi

[jenn]

Hi Penny!
This is a great tut! I will try it if I ever can get back to the fabric store :)
and ps, would love to have a picnic!
if only TN and CO were closer!
jenn

[Katie]

Thanks for the update Penny! :-)

[Nanette]

Well you are such a smartie Penny. Thank you. I'd have never thought of that!

[Amy @ parkcitygirl]

Thanks! I've seen those and thought I could use some. . .

[Kate]

Thanks - fantastic information!

[Rachel]

What a great project! I'll be linking to this in today's Daily DIY.

[ginger]

What a much needed tutorial,That most crafters ask how can we get our own lables you rock! Great brilliant clever!!
hugs ginger

[Denise Felton]

Whoa! This tute ROCKS! I definitely have to share it. I've scheduled a link to this post to go live from my blog mid-day (Central USA time), August 31. Thank you so much for making this resource available on line.

Denise
http://needlework.craftgossip.com

[Eden]

I've been trying to come up with a good way to tag my children's clothing. Since they do hand-me-downs, I wanted something sturdy but that could be removed or changed. This is a great solution. Thanks for the tutorial :)

[Deepa]

Thanks for sharing the info about these colorfast sheets! I make a lot of handknits and wasn't happy with the pre-made labels available. Now I can make my own. Hooray.

I'll be stopping by your blog often. Thanks to Crafty Planet for pointing me here.

[Maria Jones]

Great tutorial! Adding this blog to my daily blog reading :)

[Maria Jones]

Great tutorial! Adding this blog to my daily blog reading :)

[Giusy]

Hello! I want to thank you for this great tutorial. I've just post 3 photo of my labels made with your help at my blog, and I credit you with a link to your wonderful tutorial!
Thank you a lot, Giusypatch

[Lisa]

Looks great! I found your tut via Bliss by Heather. These are great labels -- love 'em. I'm going to take a crack at this later today. Cheers!

[Erin]

great tutorial! I have seen this idea elsewhere with nothing about washing results, which seems to be most important to anyone thinking about sewing these into washable items. You are the only one who followed up with a bit about washing results and your picture was very helpful. Thank you for that! Now I can make my own labels, which is so fantastic.

[Mary H]

I was wondering, can you wait a while after printing before continuing with the other steps. I'll need to print my design at work, but then bring it home to iron and rinse etc. will that work? or will it be too late to set the ink?

[Michelle S]

I love the tutorial! Just what I was looking for :o)

[Cristy]

Thank you! this really helped a lot!

[Alia Ghulam]

Hi there! I just found you and your site and this tute! I have been looking into doing this for a little while now and love it. Thank you! Question: How do I, in word, not print the table lines or grid??? Is there a way to hide it? Thanks for any info. Alia in Muscat

[ML Bongorno]

Thanks for the tutorial. Great explanation! Very kind of you to share!! I tried it myself and it worked well.

[LizzyT]

I have just come across this tutorial. Thank you so much, I have been wanting to add my own labels to my knitware. I am going to have a go at this.