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!
thanks...i'm finally going to get mine out and do it!
Posted by: jacquie | 04 August 2008 at 04:19 PM
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! =)
Posted by: Anna M. | 04 August 2008 at 05:21 PM
How does the ink on the labels stand up to washing?
Posted by: Katie | 04 August 2008 at 06:29 PM
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
Posted by: Karen | 04 August 2008 at 08:02 PM
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!
Posted by: Catty Ax Lady | 04 August 2008 at 08:05 PM
Thanks so much Penny - you answered all my questions! blessings, marlene
Posted by: Marlene | 04 August 2008 at 08:11 PM
Thanks for the tutorial Penny -- they look great! Do you have any problem with the ends raveling?
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 04 August 2008 at 08:13 PM
Thank you Penny - that was a good and clear explanation. Your labels just set a cute finishing touch.
Posted by: Vicki K | 04 August 2008 at 09:19 PM
The labels sure make items look more professional. Thanks for the tutorial.
Posted by: Marcia | 05 August 2008 at 06:24 AM
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!
Posted by: Stacey | 05 August 2008 at 07:37 AM
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!
Posted by: Amy | 05 August 2008 at 07:30 PM
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!!!
Posted by: Missy | 05 August 2008 at 07:58 PM
Thank you so much for this little tutorial,
I love your work is beautiful, congratulation.
Kisses from Chile.
Titi
Posted by: Titi | 06 August 2008 at 10:50 AM
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
Posted by: jenn | 06 August 2008 at 04:06 PM
Thanks for the update Penny! :-)
Posted by: Katie | 07 August 2008 at 03:57 PM
Well you are such a smartie Penny. Thank you. I'd have never thought of that!
Posted by: Nanette | 07 August 2008 at 05:05 PM
Thanks! I've seen those and thought I could use some. . .
Posted by: Amy @ parkcitygirl | 10 August 2008 at 03:28 PM
Thanks - fantastic information!
Posted by: Kate | 29 August 2008 at 06:09 AM
What a great project! I'll be linking to this in today's Daily DIY.
Posted by: Rachel | 29 August 2008 at 11:16 AM
What a much needed tutorial,That most crafters ask how can we get our own lables you rock! Great brilliant clever!!
hugs ginger
Posted by: ginger | 29 August 2008 at 09:02 PM
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
Posted by: Denise Felton | 30 August 2008 at 06:01 PM
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 :)
Posted by: Eden | 31 August 2008 at 06:55 PM
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.
Posted by: Deepa | 03 September 2008 at 01:08 PM
Great tutorial! Adding this blog to my daily blog reading :)
Posted by: Maria Jones | 04 September 2008 at 09:47 AM
Great tutorial! Adding this blog to my daily blog reading :)
Posted by: Maria Jones | 04 September 2008 at 09:48 AM
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
Posted by: Giusy | 12 September 2008 at 11:42 AM
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!
Posted by: Lisa | 03 January 2009 at 04:35 AM
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.
Posted by: Erin | 22 February 2009 at 12:52 AM
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?
Posted by: Mary H | 22 February 2009 at 05:24 PM
I love the tutorial! Just what I was looking for :o)
Posted by: Michelle S | 10 April 2009 at 03:10 PM
Thank you! this really helped a lot!
Posted by: Cristy | 07 May 2009 at 11:24 PM
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
Posted by: Alia Ghulam | 19 July 2009 at 09:44 AM
Thanks for the tutorial. Great explanation! Very kind of you to share!! I tried it myself and it worked well.
Posted by: ML Bongorno | 28 July 2009 at 01:03 PM
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.
Posted by: LizzyT | 25 October 2009 at 07:48 AM
GREAT tutorial -- thank for the links. I was really having a hard time finding the right product for this. Thank you!
Posted by: Katie | 19 May 2010 at 12:28 PM
I love your tutorial! I've posted a link to it on my blog: http://wildsparrowstudio.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-one-track-mind.html
I tried to track-back, but it doesn't seem to show up (perhaps because I use Blogger? I'm new to blogging).
Thank you for the great tute!
Posted by: Luralie | 27 May 2010 at 03:47 PM
Thanks so much Penny - you answered all my questions! blessings, marlene
Posted by: small chanel | 30 October 2010 at 04:01 AM
Great information. I bought the printer sheet long ago, but until this tute, I wasn't brave enough to give it a try. Thanks so much. Now I'm off to the printer!!
Posted by: Carrol Swanson | 16 December 2010 at 05:57 PM
Thank you so much I make custom Beauty Pageant Banners and I was just handing out my business cards now Each banner will Have my info on it thanks again I have used this product to make quilts for family members but didn't think about this it is great
Posted by: Rose Mary | 12 March 2011 at 05:44 PM
Thank you for great info and inspiration.
Posted by: Cindy W | 27 April 2011 at 02:28 PM
Amazing label tutorial shared by you. I love to make such types of label. Great job done by you.
Posted by: איפור כלות | 04 October 2011 at 11:51 AM
Thank you thank you! I almost paid over $70 for 300 labels from an etsy seller. This will save me a bundle! Quick question: how did you create this template in Word? Did you bring up an existing template form the archives, or did you just create cells? If so, I'm not sure how to do this, other than in excel...
Posted by: [email protected] | 10 November 2011 at 09:53 AM
Sewtakeahike !! yup great tag never seen such a kind of it and was eager to tag it to my mobile pouch really great nice blog thanks for the blog...i will keep promoting this blog thanku....
Posted by: surf camp | 13 November 2011 at 08:39 AM
Wonderful label tutorial. I like to make such awesome things which is shared by you. I will try out for this on my next weekend.
Posted by: אחסון אתרים | 20 November 2011 at 07:38 AM
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing. I love the clean, simple look of the label, and this tutorial looks like just what I needed!
Posted by: Susie at ProsperityStuff | 24 November 2011 at 08:38 PM
awesome! tutorial- can you tell me what font & what size you used. can't wait to give it a try
Posted by: lin | 27 March 2012 at 06:20 AM
Where do you buy the fabric sheets to make the labels in your printer?
Posted by: TMO | 05 May 2012 at 07:20 PM
Thank you for the idea and instructions. This is just what I was looking for. (You can see my finished label here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wittyfamily/7262072926/in/photostream/.)
Posted by: Amy | 24 May 2012 at 08:06 PM
You're very welcome, Amy!
Posted by: Penny@sewtakeahike | 25 May 2012 at 06:02 AM
How did you get that cute flower to paste into word?
Posted by: Denali | 01 August 2012 at 11:29 PM