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Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Labeling Solid Fabrics

Since solid fabrics are dyed and not printed, they obviously don't have a selvage with identifying information. That may or may not matter to you. But if you do like to know what solid you are using as you pull them from your stash for a project, how do you label solid fabrics when you purchase and store them? Here are some ideas:

1. Julie/Jaybird Quilts writes on the selvage usingfabric safe pigma pen.

solid_storage3.jpg

2. 
Using peel and 
stick address labels is Rachel/Snippets of Sweetness' method of choice.

photo courtesy Rachel Pascual

3. Leave it to Amy/Diary of a Quilter to think of using a 
label maker.


4. Lori/a bee in my bonnet creates 
hand-written fabric labels and safety-pins them on.

 photo courtesy a bee in my bonnet

5. Rather than actually labeling the fabric, Louise/I'm Feelin' Crafty makes labeled fabric swatches kept on a metal ring.


If you have another system, do share in the comments!

32 comments:

  1. This is a great collection of ideas. I currently use address labels like Rachel, but they don't stick all that well and I am really tempted by Julie's label on the selvage idea.

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  2. Oh, great tips! I've tried using washi tape but it doesn't consistently stick, so I end up with the labels getting jumbled. I'm totally going to try writing on the selvage.

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  3. I write the fabric color/number on an old selvage, but I sew it on with a baste stitch so it doesn't create any additional problems. It doesn't take me very long to do it.

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  4. I also write the color on the selvage. I use a sharpie and it works great. It is especially great if you prewash. How many times have you washed your new fabric of similar tones and can't figure out which is which? Great post Debbie!

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  5. Great ideas! I'm definitely going to start labeling my solids.

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  6. Love Louise's swatch idea. Would come in handy to grab and take to the quilt store, too.

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  7. I was thinking about cutting out some "labels" from freezer paper and ironing them on. The stick-on labels don't really stick to fabric very well.

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  8. Lots of good ideas here, thank you for this blogpost!
    KATRIN W.

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  9. great ideas. Thanks for sharing them. I've toyed with ordering a color chart from the manufacturer but they are expensive

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  10. Great round up! Will share in my newsletter soon.

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  11. I NEED to do this but I have so many that I have no idea what they are, not sure I could even make a dent. I wish the mfg would label them.

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  12. What great ideas. I definitely need one of those systems. Many a time I finally found the right solid and then can't remember which one it was. Thank you for sharing all of these different methods.

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  13. I just use a straight pin to attach a small scrap of paper with the fabric manufacturer and color name. I keep it folded to the inside of the fabric and can move/reattach it as needed once I cut into it. Works great for me.

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  14. Ahh selvage labeling sounds like a great idea. I have some sticky labels on some of my solids but not enough of them. Thanks for the info.

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  15. I wrap my yardage on comic book boards and write on the comic book board the manufacturer, color, and color number. Some stores if you shop online put a label on the fabric, when I order from them I put the label on the comic book board and cover it with tape to keep it from peeling off.

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  16. I don't label mine, and I absolutely regret that choice. I have a big bundle of solids being shipped to me this week, and I bought some sticky labels today in the hopes of changing my bad habit into a good one :-)
    E xx

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  17. Thank you for sharing these tips ! I've never labelled my solids so far and it's maybe time to begin.

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  18. In the past, I would write near the salvage with a Micron pen the brand, color, yardage and if it was washed or not. Now I just wing it and don't label anything. LOL!!

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  19. Labeling solids, instead of just tossing them in a bin? That's a great idea! ;) Actually, I don't use them enough to keep large bits worthy of labeling, and I'm not sure how to organize scraps of solids. (You really don't want to see that mess of a bin.)

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  20. Oh my goodness those are all really good ideas! I don't do anything right now, and honestly before your post it hadn't even crossed my mind but now I see how useful that labeling solids would be! Thank you!!

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  21. I like the idea of writing on the selvedge. I have color charts for Kona and Moda Bella but as new colors come out it become a problem so the selvedge is a great idea.

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  22. If I'm buying solids at my LQS (rather than a box store) I will write on the selvage area -- especially if it is something that I might need more of for a project. I'd love to have color cards from the different brands but that seems like a lot of money when you consider how many different makers there are now.

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  23. I often forget to label my solids when I purchase them, but when I do remember, i typically just pin a scrap piece of paper to the fabric and write the colour code and manufacturer on it. I find I tend to label my greys and whites more than anything else. I once made an entire quilt with different "whites" without even noticing until I took it outside for pictures!! That's when i started labelling my whites. :-)

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  24. Great Tips!! Such a simple idea and yet..I never did it. When I needed a solid color I would go to my stash and try and figure it out. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. I use a sharpie and write on the selvages. I do find it helpful when I run out of a certain color and want to reorder.

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  26. I like the ideas of Louise and Lisa S. I don't label my solids, because I like to go with how a color feels to me on each project and not what the name of it dictates for it's use. I have the fabric color charts from several lines that I frequently use and those help in ordering on line since a monitor doesn't always show a true color.

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  27. I use blue painters tape. Just write the name on the tape with a sharpie and stick on the fabric selvage. The tape sticks really well but is easily removed.

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  28. What a fabulous post. So useful! Thank you =)

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  29. I keep Kona Ash, Snow, and Pepper separated from the rest, and labeled with a paper and pin. The others haven't as important to keep straight, but maybe they Should be!

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  30. Why didn't I think of any of these?! Thank you!

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