What should I put on a quilt label?

Include the maker's name, the recipient's name, the date it was finished, where it was made, the occasion, and a short message. Basic care notes are helpful too.

Where does a quilt label go?

The traditional spot is the lower right corner of the quilt backing. Sewing the label into a corner so two sides are caught in the binding makes it easy to attach.

How to Label a Quilt (What to Include and How to Add It)

Q: Can Krafty Bandit embroider a name or date on a quilt?

Yes. Krafty Bandit can add custom embroidery such as a name, date, initials, or a short message to most memory bears, quilts, and other keepsakes. Share your idea through the custom order form.

A quilt label is a small piece of fabric on the back of a quilt that records who made it, who it is for, and when. Years from now, that label is often the only record of a quilt's story. This guide covers what to put on a label and the easiest ways to add one. If you want a name, date, or short message stitched in thread, we do custom embroidery in our Belle Vernon shop in the Mon Valley.

Why label a quilt?

It keeps the story. Names and dates fade from memory long before the quilt wears out.
It honors the maker. Quilts are often passed down, and a label credits the person who made it.
It turns a gift into a keepsake. A short message makes a wedding, baby, or memorial quilt feel personal.

What to put on a quilt label

The name of the quilt, if it has one
The maker's name
The recipient's name
The date it was finished
Where it was made, such as "Belle Vernon, PA"
The occasion: a wedding, a birth, a graduation, or a memorial
A short message or verse
Basic care notes, such as "wash cold, dry low"

For a memory quilt made from a loved one's clothing, many families add the person's name and their dates, or a line like "Made from Dad's flannels."

Ways to make a quilt label

Embroidered label

Embroidery is stitched into the fabric, so it does not wash out or fade the way ink can. It is the most durable choice for a quilt that will be used and washed. We can add custom embroidery such as a name, date, initials, or a short message to most memory bears, quilts, and other keepsakes. Share your idea through our custom order form and we will confirm what works for your piece.

Fabric marker

A permanent fabric pen is the quickest option. Iron freezer paper to the back of a light cotton square to keep it steady while you write. Follow the pen maker's instructions for heat-setting.

Printed fabric

Printable fabric sheets let you design a label on a computer and run it through a home printer. Check the package for washing and setting instructions.

Hand embroidery

If you enjoy hand stitching, a simple backstitch is enough for names and dates. Trace your words lightly first with a washable marker.

How to attach a quilt label

Finish the label edges. Turn the raw edges under, or sew the label into a corner triangle so two edges are caught in the binding.
Place it on the back. The lower right corner of the backing is the traditional spot.
Stitch it down. Hand-sew the turned edges with small, hidden stitches. If you add the label before binding, the binding holds two sides for you.

Tip: some quilters also write the key details directly on the backing under the label, so the record survives even if a label is ever removed.

Personalized quilts and keepsakes

We make custom memory quilts, traditional quilts, and blankets by hand, and we personalize keepsakes with embroidery. We serve the Mon Valley and Greater Pittsburgh area in person and accept mailed-in items from anywhere in the United States. Learn more in our custom embroidery guide, read what a memory quilt is, or browse custom fabric and embroidery.