How to Label and Document Your Quilts

3 Steps to Documenting Your Quilt:

1. Labeling

Physically labeling your quilt ensures that the information you are including stays with the quilt. This can be achieved either by hand written or embroidery inscriptions directly on the quilt, or by applying a separate cloth label.

You can create your own label or you can purchase quilt labels, like this kit created by Quilt Alliance or a ready-made cloth label.

TIP: Use an indelible, laundry-safe, archival pen or embroidery for long lasting labeling. 

2. Paper Documentation

Quilt journaling is a great way to document your quilt and can be done hand-in-hand with labeling. Quilt journaling can provide more indepth information about you as the quiltmaker, about the purpose of the quilt, the location, the longarmer’s name and/or any other contextual details you’d like to include about yourself and the quilt. 

This can be done by printing out forms provided through online resources or you can simply write your information freehand on paper or in a journal.

TIP: Be sure to store all paper documentation with the quilt, I occasionally see older quilts with papers stored in ziploc bags pinned to the quilt itself. This is a simple way to avoid separation if the quilt changes hands.

3. Digital Documentation: 

Take your documentation step further!

Quilt Alliance and The Quilt Index are two online resources for quilt documentation and indexing.  Via these sites you can do things like utilize standard quilt documentation forms, enter your quilt into public indexes, upload images along with written text, and even participate in interviewing and storytelling as part of your quilt documentation.