stamped quilt label project
In the spirit of the new Quilter's Sampler set with this month's release I wanted to share my quilt project that I have been working on for the past 8 (yes, 8!) years. I started this quilt when I was pregnant with my Tacy and it was originally supposed to be her baby quilt. I recently finished all of the hand quilting and am ready to completely finish off the quilt - finally! I wanted to create a quilt label for the back of the quilt and was so inspired by the new set...
Here's a close up of some of the detail of the quilt - even though this project has taken a long time, it's just the kind of project that I like. I could sit and stitch for hours!
To make the label, I started off with a piece of white cotton fabric. I decided to stamp a polka dot background with the Polka Dot Basics set in the Lemon Tart ink. Using the hybrid inks is perfect for a fabric project like this. I know that the color will stay even if I need to wash the quilt.
I stamped the 'handmade by' sentiment, from the Quilter's Sampler set, in the Dark Chocolate and then the elephant from the Bitty Baby Blessings set in the Aqua Mist. I stamped the elephant in the lighter color so that I had guidelines for doing some embroidery, but not so dark that it would show through the finished stitching.
When I do embroidery on cotton fabrics, I like to layer some cotton batting underneath. It gives the embroidery a little dimension and keeps the threads behind from showing through.
I used a basic backstitch for the elephant. If you are interested in learning more about basic embroidery stitches, I would recommend checking your library, local quilt or fabric shop.
I personalized my label by using the Simple Alphabet set and then added a running stitch around the outside of my label for a border.
Here's what the label looks like after I have everything stitched and stamped on it.
I trimmed some of the cotton batting away from the edge of the label so that I could turn the edge under when I stitched it to the back of the quilt.
Here, I have the label all pinned in place and ready to go...
And here is the finished label attached to the quilt. I love how it turned out. It just gives that little bit of me to Tacy when she looks at her quilt years from now and remembers that I made it just for her.
Embroidered Elephant Quilt Label
stamps: Quilter's Sampler, Polka Dot Basics, Bitty Baby Blessings, Simple Alphabet (Papertrey Ink)
ink: Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
accessories: white cotton fabric, embroidery floss, buttons, cotton batting
OMGosh....this is amazing! I absolutely adore your quilt. Great job....and WELL WORTH the wait!! What a treasure.
Posted by: Charlene Austin (Willow01) | July 17, 2008 at 08:55 PM
That is absolutely gorgeous. I can't sew except on cards but would love to be able to make a quilt.
Posted by: Wendalyn | July 17, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Beautiful quilt!!! Good for you to keep at this project :) The label is so precious.
Posted by: Jenn | July 17, 2008 at 10:46 PM
This quilt is fantastic! You are multi-talented! Thanks for explaining how you did it. Twyla
Posted by: two crazy crafters | July 17, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Wow! It must feel so great to have your quilt finished. Your daughter and you should have a special slumber party to break it in :-)
Posted by: MacKenzie Bruckler | July 18, 2008 at 05:05 AM
If it makes you feel any better, I had a blanket I knitted on for 15 years. I told my husband that it would be my retirement project! I did finish it, and it turned out great.
Posted by: Carla | July 18, 2008 at 05:26 AM
This is a true treasure for Tacy! What a great use of these stamps! Your quilt is beautiful and a real accomplishment. The story behind quilts is so much of what makes them special, and I'm sure Tacy will treasure this for life and pass it along to her children. It's beautiful! You should feel so proud and have a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Bravo! A real gift of love! TFS!
Posted by: CherylQuilts at SCS | July 18, 2008 at 05:43 AM
Absolutely fantastic! I'm a quilter, too, and am awed by your creativity. What a beautiful job and wonderful keepsake.
Denise
Posted by: Denise | July 18, 2008 at 06:19 AM
This is so precious...and what a beautiful quilt. I can't believe you hand stitched all of the images! Wonderful work!
Posted by: Kiim | July 18, 2008 at 07:17 AM
That is so sweet, and I am sure she will truly appreciate it when she realizes how long it took you :-) What a special gift for her to enjoy for years to come.
Posted by: Kacey | July 18, 2008 at 07:29 AM
Pine, this is so beautiful!!! I love quilting and this is just a beautiful piece of heritage for Tacy from you that she will treasure.
I love the label you made-how sweet!
Posted by: Debbie Fisher | July 18, 2008 at 08:31 AM
What a beautiful labor of love for Tacy! I love the label, you are so creative and talented! I started a quilt when I was pregnant with my son, it's not done yet and he'll be 20 in a few months. Maybe I'll get it done in time for my first grandchild!
Posted by: Tami McBeain (tmarie) | July 18, 2008 at 08:39 AM
This is beautiful! Congrats for finishing it! What a wonderful heirloom.
Posted by: Lori A. | July 18, 2008 at 08:50 AM
That is SO wonderful!! what a beautiful quilt and your label just makes it so much more special, tfs!!
Posted by: Etha | July 18, 2008 at 08:56 AM
beautiful!
Posted by: Regina Cornelius | July 18, 2008 at 09:12 AM
WOW! I'll try to keep this short, but I am so pleased to see that you finished an 8 year project! I tend to just quit after awhile! This is so beautiful and will be a treasure Tacy's whole life and hopefully for generations to come! Thanks for showing how two of your passions collided to make one beautiful project!
Posted by: Kathleen | July 18, 2008 at 09:46 AM
I have been working on hand quilting the first quilt I made for my daughter for 7 yrs now. I thought I was the only one that took this long to finish one. Your quilt came out great! I love the label you made for it too. Hopefully my quilt will be finished one day too.
Posted by: Terri Moore | July 18, 2008 at 11:32 AM
this is just beautiful - she will treasure it i'm sure - well done for finishing. I never got past assembling the top for my daughters baby quilt - she's 8 now lol.
Posted by: Claire Brennan | July 18, 2008 at 11:36 AM
This is so beautiful! Congratulations on finishing it - what a HUGE accomplishment!
Posted by: maria fiscella | July 18, 2008 at 04:04 PM
What beautiful, perfect stitching you do!!!! Just curious~did you make a quilt for your other little girl too? I would LOVE to see it if so! I have 6 kids and made a baby quilt for each but one, and now I feel so guilty, I must get it finished (even though he is 12 now)! It was all planned out~ a Noah's Ark quilt~just was beyond busy at the time and it never came to be. I will say that I never got the binding stitched down on another one too! Now you have inspired me, and I must complete them both. I think they will enjoy them no matter the age; just knowing it was planned and stitched with love, especially for them. I love your creativity! Thanks!
Posted by: Jan Stafford | July 18, 2008 at 05:58 PM
What a gorgeous project, and that label is just perfect for it!
Posted by: elana | July 19, 2008 at 02:01 AM
Where exactly do you buy your fabric ink pads and stamps? Thanks so much, Red.
Posted by: Redtosew | July 19, 2008 at 05:59 AM
what a sweet project!
Posted by: lianna llama | July 19, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Gorgeous project all the way around!
Posted by: Katie | July 19, 2008 at 09:09 AM
Wow Pine that is AMAZING!!!! The Quilt is just an heirloom that Tacy will treasure forever....and the label is adorable!!!
Posted by: Keri Lee Sereika | July 19, 2008 at 09:10 AM