mhcpa

I am making a senior quilt for my son's graduating class to auction at the Fall Festival. He goes to a private school so only 18 seniors. I had each student take a block and have it custom embroidered. I was going to have embroidered on the quilt the name of the school and Class of 2015. The problem is the local shop is charging me $15 per block to do the custom embroidery and so to do 6 blocks with school name and Class of 2015 will cost me another $90 ! I have already spent $300 for material, thread and batting. I know I will have material left over but still I cant afford to spend the extra money. I just have a basic baby lock and no embroidery, my life is complicated enough!!! LOL

I am wondering which will be faster, doing alphabet paper piecing blocks or just cutting out the letters and satin stitching around them (applique)? I am looking at 30 letters/numbers and will be about 4 inches each. And the festival is two weeks earlier this year! It Oct 23rd this year. I have all senior blocks and other piecing ready to put together this weekend. Just wanted some experienced quilter's opinion.

Also, labeling? I want to put a small label with my info and business (who is donating the project). Any advice? Hand write with sharping on a small piece of fabric on the back? Or draw out and satin stitch?

I promise to post when completed, it is going to be very nice.

ManiacQuilter2

I can't answer the lettering questions but I use Micron archival ink pens available at JAF on-line for labels on quilt. PLEASE don't use a Sharpe.

mhcpa

Thanks, I will pick one up next time I am near a shop.

tesspug

What if you painted it with fabric paints and then quilted around each letter.

cjsews

I think cutting out the letters with steam a seam on the back. Iron to the blocks and do a simple button hole stitch around them. A little less thread and bulk than satin stitch.

mhcpa

Wonderful ideas! I can get permanent fabric paint right???? I believe I have seen that at the quilting expo.

ann31039

or you can get fabric medium to add to regular acrylic paints to make them permanent. I wish we lived closer. I have an embroidery machine. I'd do it for thread and stabilizer.

lynnie

I find applique quick once you start it. I perfer it over piecing.try it, have fun too.

ctrysass2012

There is a post under Links & Resources on labeling pens. It has a link to Freckled Whimsey with the results she came up with after testing different pens. I have had a problem with fading after using the Micron pen. It has been over 5 yrs & been washed but I will have to redo it for my client.

Sewnoma

This was my first thought, as well. I'd use freezer paper to make stencils.