Thursday, March 22, 2012

Tutorial - Making your own Fabric Labels

I've wanted some fabric labels forever to sew onto things I make.  I just think they are cute and make things more personal.  Ok, and Nana Company always sews cute labels onto everything.  I'm to cheap to order any so I though I'd try and make some by myself.  I was pleasantly surprised when my little idea worked.  I thought maybe some of you would like a tutorial so you can make some of your own.  I think you'll be surprised at how easy it is.

Items Needed
- 9x12" piece of fabric
- 9x12" piece of light Heat and Bond
- Iron
- Ink Jet Printer


Step One - Iron your fabric onto the Heat and Bond.   Do not take of the paper backing.


Step Two - After you've ironed the fabric onto the Heat and Bond, cut it down so that's it measures 8 1/2" x 11".  I ironed mine again after this just to make sure it adhered well.


Using Photo shop or whatever program your comfortable with, type up some labels.  Load your fabric sheet into your printer and it should print just like it would on a normal piece of fabric.   At the bottom of this post I've typed up some labels if you would like to download and print them. 

I have heard that this does not work with Laser prints.  I think the ink may bleed or something.  I ran one of my labels under water just to make sure it didn't bleed.  You may want to do the same before sewing onto your project.


Here are my gray patches sewn onto the burp cloths I recently made.   I could use a little practice with my zig zag stitch.


Here are some labels I made up if you would like them.  I'm by no means a graphic designer so they are nothing special, but if you would like to download them  just click on them!

15 comments:

Valerie said...

Love this idea. My neighbor and I were just talking about creating personal labels for her handmade creations. She's an awesome seamstress and definitely needs her i.d. on her work!

BTW...your blog has been one of the biggest inspirations for me to take up the art of quilting. I finally got up the courage to ask my neighbor for lessons and she said yes! Another friend and I are making a Sampler Quilt and Caitlin is teaching us the basic blocks needed to create the quilt. It has been so much fun, and I love the added bonus that she is literally across the street!

Anyway, if you have a chance, feel free to pop over and see my most recent creation...a quilted blanket for dolly...and I most definitely credit you for my sewing inspiration. I love every thing you make!

Maggie said...

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I always atruggle a bit when it comes to the labelling. I will definitely try this. I like the fact you can print off a whole sheet :) Maggie xx

Maggie said...

struggle not atruggle! x

Jessica said...

So do you just leave the paper backing on and print it on that? Or is it printed on the fabric and you remove the paper backing?

Rosa said...

Great idea!

Jen said...

Thank you for blogging this! I need some labels and didn't want to pay a fortune for them!

Mrs. F. said...

Have you tried washing them? Does the ink stay? This is awesome! Thanks!

Jessie Henn said...

You’ve got amazing eye when it comes to label design, Nicole. I love the vintage borders of your label and the “Made with Love” label just made me go “Awww!” I’m sure anyone who receives an item with that kind of label will feel special. Great job!

Unknown said...

I’m also on the clothing and fabric line of business and I use some DIY labels too. It so happened that I have a very complicated way of printing my fabric labels so I’m glad to have read your blog. I can now make my fabric labels easier. Thanks for this post! :)

-- Humberto Decius

Anonymous said...

With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems
of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot
of exclusive content I've either created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my permission. Do you know any techniques to help protect against content from being ripped off? I'd
really appreciate it.

my blog post ... orquesta atraccion

Monica Roland said...

I would love to make your Ruby's Party Purse. It is beautiful and just right for my granddaughter. But I have tried everything and cannot make one of the purse pattern pieces to appear. Nor does the one piece print out. I have a new computer and printer, but nothing works. (I am using the "printer friendly" section.) Can you help, please? Many thanks.

Your patterns are beautiful.

Anonymous said...

It's remarkable to pay a quick visit this web page and reading the views of all colleagues about this piece of writing, while I am also eager of getting familiarity.

Feel free to surf to my page: musicos artistas

Fashion With Style Classinista said...

Hi how are you, so happy to find your site it's very inspirational. I'm having issues downloading the labels from your site. Can you please send me those beautiful "Made With Love" labels you created. I would appreciated it very much. to my email address

Thanks for your time and great tutorials
~Pam xxx

yeddayank said...

Casino City App Download for Android and iOS - JTM Hub
Casino City Mobile App for Android and iOS · 1. 광명 출장마사지 How 여주 출장안마 to download and install the 구리 출장샵 Android app for android · 2. How to download and install 서산 출장마사지 the 용인 출장안마 latest version · 3. Download the.apk file on the

Unknown said...

Check This Outvisit site Homepageother Sourceview website