Sewing & Pressing & Labels Oh My! - QAL Week 3 

Yes to labels! Looking forward to your video on this overlooked step. ❤ I’ve done the ‘stitch in’ kind, even though they could be removed. Prepare a bunch on a single sheet of computer printed fabric to keep costs down, when printed these are usually 2 by 4 inches. Totally agree to all of your basic information. Have made labels for antique and vintage purchased quilts with whatever is known or can be learned: unknown maker circa 1910 purchased in Pennsylvania…will research and include block name and source and date if known. Every quilt gets a name (tell me I’m not the only one) - it is at the top of the label. Sometimes a bit of a story too. If long-armed, long-armers name. If a gift or repaired quilt, might include a photo. Mom made a Dresden plate quilt of clothing scraps, the photo on the label was the two of us wearing clothes of some of the fabrics. ❤️ For high use quilts, a discreet flip up patch in matching fabric is an option so either quilt side can be used. For a special or rare fabric, I have also sewn in the selvage and a label. However you add a label, you won’t regret it. One more quilt step suggestion- Gifts of mine usually go with a small sandwich baggie, labeled, of a few matching fabrics, including some of the binding fabric, for patching. It may be lost over time, but it might really come in handy to keep your quilt going strong. For completed or repaired vintage and antique quilts, ditto. When stored, this packet can be tucked in with the quilt.

I love Bonnie Hunter. I use leader and ended when I remember to do so. I have to get better at that. I also need to sew more. Love your videos. And I get to learn a lot from you. You have motivated me to get busy. Right now i decluttering.

I learned about 'thread bunnies' from Kate @the last homely house. Leaders and enders is the next step. I plan on advancing to that. A simple 4 patch will do for starts. Thanks for moving me along. 😍

I learned about leaders/enders from Brenda at Conquering Mt. Scrapmore. Until recently all my quilts have been planned patterns with planned fabric combinations, everything controlled. But now I have a cancer diagnosis and lots of scraps and I am finding that making scrappy blocks helps me deal with the lack of control over other aspects of life: even without control, the blocks are beautiful, just like life. I’m doing very well currently and quilting more than I ever have. I love your videos and your attitude, and am so glad to have you as part of my beautiful world❣️

Absolutely add a label! My grandmother died in 1921, leaving a crazy quilt that my Grandpa kept on his guest bed the rest of his life. It was a utilitarian crazy quilt made out of leftover fabric, worn out clothes, etc. When Grandpa died in 1963 the quilt was donated to his church. Oh how I would have loved to be able to find that quilt, but there was no label. I'm sure my grandmother had to idea that a century after she made that quilt that someone is wishing that quilt could be found.

I use my scraps as leaders and enders and have for years. They make beautiful quilts.

Oh man, labels are so important on every quilt. I have been given some vintage quilts and quilt tops by friends recently. These quilts were made at some point by members of their family, but they no longer know who made them. I do like using leaders and enders. I need to be better about getting my leaders and enders made into quilts though.

I am not good at labeling (and rotten handwriting) so I have small labels with my name on them that I sew into everything I make (unless I forget) But at the very least there is some link to the maker.

I’m so glad you called it a spider. That’s what I learned it to be in the 70’s. Your video about cutting out a bunch of projects (quilts) in one go and labeling and storing. Game changer for me. I come down to my sewing studio and think “ what am I going to make today?” It’s too overwhelming!! I just spent the last two days cutting out four quilts!! You my dear are a genius. Blessings. Thank you for telling us why labels are so important.

Love the leaders and Enders I’d never heard of them but they make more sense than those silly scraps we toss when they are so full of thread. I’m off to start a new a new batch of leaders and enders such a fun idea. I have lots of scraps to start my new career. Thanks for all your really cool ideas.

My latest blue and white chequerboard shirt quilt was made from leaders and enders - and I love it 🥰And Beth Shipley from My Sewing Room rarely irons until her blocks are made 👍 Thanks for sharing 👏👏🇬🇧

I use leaders and enders when I don't forget. Since I design most of my own quilts, I figure out the process as I work. right now it's 1" square checkerboard. It's one of those"what was I thinking." It is turning out well, though.

The leaders and enders I am making now are from a quilt that did not work out. I did not do a test block and merrily sewed everything together, then realized, due to the curved piercing, it would be very hard to square up. I did not have the energy to invest all that time in squaring up, but I love the fabric, so I re-cut it into 2 1/2 inch pieces, and are using them as leaders and enders, and will end up with a nine patch quilt from them.

“Don’t clutch your pearls” and “Quilting, because murder is wrong” I actually spit out my coffee! 😂 YES, using other squares of fabric for Leaders and Enders is the way to go! That allows you to create blocks for another quilt project and I use that method. Labels are so very important on your quilt and I’m looking forward to seeing your video on Labels! 🥰❤️😘

I learned about “spiders” from Fons and Porter (been sewing and quilting a long time). However doing something useful while being practical and avoiding possible “nests” and frayed squares, etc., seems like a no brained. Thank Amy any Bonnie for proving you can teach an old some new tricks. Until the next post………

Hi Amy, BTW your videos are all great. Thank you for them. I use leaders and enders, but use scrap fabric and sew on it over and over. If I've learned anything from you today, I will use my leaders and enders to make bonus quilts.

Ok, I think I am going to lay out the next block in my memorial quilt and use them as leaders and enders to get that quilt finished faster. Then, when that's complete, I can just put the rest together randomly. And, the only quilts I haven't put labels on are the ones I have done for charity. Figured it was safer since you just don't know where they are going to.

I like leaders and enders but normally do not have such a big stash of ready-to-use blocks. I tend to do a "two quilts in one go" approach where I prep the blocks for a more complex and one very easy quilt. The easy quilt then can be used as leades and enders. I started labeling my quilts around 2020 but mostly only with the recipient and my Name (without Surname) and the year. Will ponder about if I'd like to add some info. But since I stitch the letters and numbers in the label by hand I don't want to get too lengthy 😂 I stitch the Label in one corner on the back of the quilt, add the Binding over it on two sides and stitch down the remaining two sides by hand. Works for me.

I don't use leaders and enders, but rather, I crumb-piece. I have two projects on the go, one requiring 5- inch squares while the other needs 10 by 12 inch rectangles. Neither is an urgent project, so they'll be finished when they're done!

Have used thread catchers since I started seeing in the 90s. But only recently have I started trying to make a leader/ended project. Since I change piece everything I can, it is taking a while to make the 1000 piece project I planned for 😊

I just recently learned about leaders and enders so I am thinking of giving them a try. I don't label now as most of my quilts are donations. I will post how it goes.......

Such great tips I’ve only just started labelling my quilts I use the sewing machine alphabet and sew it on afterwards, but like the idea of quilting it in. I thought the permanent ink would not last long when washed, but it would be quicker to write it than embroider , will give that a go, I do use leaders and Enders when I remember lol thanks for your tips xx

I didn’t know about leaders and enders and using them for scrap quilts. I want to make a quilt out of 2.5” squares. What a great way to get started! I like to work in batches as it makes me feel more productive and organized.

I am team Leaders and Enders. Some really beautiful quilts have come from the extra blocks!💫

Nope.. I think to/from labels are tacky. Makes them too personal and can't be given away to someone else. No thanks.

I learned about leaders and enders from Brenda at Conquering Mount Scrapmore and I love them! Oh well I labeled my sons quilt wrong maybe I will do the next one correctly. I use the alphabet on my sewing machine to make labels.

I do know about leaders and enders but have not gotten in the habit of planning and using them. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement.

I just started the leader, ender process.

You have way more two inch squares than I do. I always use leaders and enders, so always have a second quilt in the works. No wasted thread here. 👍

Amen to leaders and enders. Oh the project linus quilts I have made from them.

I'm glad this works for you but I get bored working that way all the time. I do this if I am in the mood or I switch it up😅

I really need to plan out some leaders and enders projects!! Guess I need to pull out some scraps!!

I have recently started and build a side of my scrap log cabin blocks one side at a time

And yes, Eleanor calls them jumpers!

I love labels and I always have one on anything I make that I make. The first quilt I made was for my daughter who had been married for a few years and the label was pretty much a devotional to her and her husband. I included full names of all three and the date plus the name of the quilt...I included that it was machine pieced and hand quilted. The length of time that it took to make from start to finish. I don't do this on every quilt but the ones to family and close friends. I like the usage of leaders and enders...I started with the jumpers after watching Eleanor Burns...

I too learned from Bonnie about leaders and Enders. When on a retreat, I managed to do a third of my next quilt while finishing another one. Love the batching hints.

Love all your information and tips. Havent been quilting over the past few years. And broke my upper arm in april 24 but i am recovering well and excited to get started again thanks to your inspiration. Your so pleasant to listen to thanks for the videos i always learn something new. GOD BLESS !

This is quickly becoming my favorite quilting channel!

Leaders and Enders! OMG yes yes yes!! I don't remember when I became aware of Bonnie Hunter's leaders and enders but I've been doing it for years. If I go to a sew-in I always take some bits for L&Es. Most recently I've been doing 2" squares in a 9 patch with a white background. I am planning to put them together with scrappy alternating squares. I have also done 1 1/2 inch batik 9 patches and still have a large collection of 1 1/2 inch batik squares. I have a sewing pal who still uses the 'spider' if that's her jam that's fine. Labels can be challenging, I finished a quilt for a niece but didn't send it for several weeks because I struggled to put a label on it. But I agree it's very important! I am lucky to have two quilts my great-grandma made (she lived to be 96 and passed in the late 1960s) They were probably made from kits because my Mom told me she used to give Granny quilt kits for her birthday or Christmas. I think they need labels and one day soon I will make one for each. They are both applique quilts, one is floral the other a grapevine (Mom said Granny called it "The Grapes of Wrath" because there are a LOT of small circles. I am not sewing along with you (I have plenty of UFOs already and I'm doing Karen's Declutter Challenge) But I am enjoying your videos very much and it's so interesting to see your process! During my declutter I found I had four different ruler/templates for the Flying Geese block including two different sizes of Eleanor Burns' method. I read the directions and decided it was too fussy for me so they are going to be donated (I'm on my third bag, plus three bags of book!) to our Seattle ReCreative. I have made good progress but I still have a long way to go! Cheers!

First, I loved your comment about clutching my pearls 🤣. I know those people; I am not one. Also loved the cat quilting. 😸 My leaders and enders are 1.5 inch squares (with some 1.5 inch HST thrown in). I have decided to make a postage stamp quilt. It’ll go on my bed when I’m in “the home”. I figured it’ll take me that long to complete. Thanks for your videos.

Shakes head..."components" 😂 YES, to leaders and enders! 2.5" squares, in little drawers, ROY G BIV style. Getting better at labels, but I am consistent about a hand embroidered label when grandchildren are born ❤

I never heard of leaders and enders! How ingenious!! I only ever thought of embroidering my labels, hence why I have a few quilts not finished yet. Never thought of just writing them out, nor of sewing them into the backing, just on the backing. Duh!! Great video! Thanks

“Always label your quilts!” Says the friend that gifted a quilt… WITH NO LABEL 😱

I take your technique a step further.... instead of making sets of 4 FG, I would sew one side to 50 geese, then quickly press and chain-sew the other side onto all of them. I use a 'spider' or 'thread bunny' between sets. I've tried leader/enders but with the way that I sew, they don't accumulate very fast and I find them more of a nuisance than helpful. Thanks for talking about labels and their importance. I always think of the Gee's Bend utility quilts which are now hanging in museums! I SO enjoy all your videos.

My family loves minkee on the back of their quilts. I got to work on labels. Haven’t done labels for my family quilts.

“Don’t clutch your pearls” bwaaahhaaa! I am totally appropriating ( or misappropriating!) this expression! Thanks for the laugh! I’m hit or miss about both labels and leaders snd enders although I acknowledge their usefulness. I’m definitely a fan of batch sewing/pressing etc. if I need to take breaks in a batch or get sick of a task, I switch to a different project that is at another stage. I usually have several in progress at any given time.

My pile of 2 1/2 inch squares isn't as big as yours; but, it could be if I took the time to cut up more scraps. I don't label the quilts that I make for Project Linus. I don't think they want them labeled.

Last year after a quilt guild meeting at which the speaker emphasized labeling our quilts, I made work of catching up on labels. The first 2 that I made were creative. Then I realized that I had 20 more projects to label! The rest were "just the facts", but they all got labels. For a quilt that was a block exchange, I wanted to add the names of all the participants, so I used printable fabric for that one so that the label wouldn't be huge from my hand writing.

I always have more than one project on the sewing table. It saves thread and time. Plus, I make some very interesting bonus scrap blocks, along with the project I am working on. It drives some people a little crazy trying to figure out what I am doing. I enjoy piecing this way. Daddy was an Industrial Sewing Machine Mechanic. He taught me to always keep some fabric between the feed dogs and the pressure foot. There is no better way to do what Daddy taught me than chain piecing. Always leave the pressure foot down with some fabric under it to protect the feed dogs and the pressure foot lift.

I am going to start having fun with labels! - I was recently gifted some wonderful craft cotton with a pattern of pink and yellow pigs. Their facial expressions are amazing, so going forward all of my labels will have a pig appliqued onto unbleached muslin that I will write on with a fine-tipped Sharpie. I should have enough pigs for several years' worth of quilts, and now instead of thinking of adding a label as a chore I'm anticipating it so that I can have them ready to sew into the binding. 😁

I donate many quilts to local agencies- not labeled because I have wanted to remain anonymous. I may have to re-think this policy…

Hello Beautiful! I always batch process if I can. It seams like common sense to me. Bonnie taught me about leaders and Enders too. I love to do that. Thanks for the suggestions.

Bonnie Hunter the best, learned about leaders and Enders from her. Have all of her books. 80% of time have them going, need to get out my two and two and a half inch boxes of scraps. Also have box of extra cut or trimmed triangles. Try to have second project cut so can use that . Have to get better at labeling quilts

I’d heard of leaders and enders for a long time. Unfortunately for a long time many people called a thread spider ( those little sewn bits ) a leader/ender. Seemed like a waste of perfectly good fabric to me ( oh the horror😂). Now that I understand how leaders/enders really can work for me, I’m going to start using them for bonus quilt making.

Thanks for your videos, it is the highlight of my Wednesday evenings. Leaders and enders definitely great, I learned about it about a year into my quilting journey and have made a couple of large throw size quilts. I try to always label and freezer paper was what made it easier for me.

I have been sewing 1.5 x 1.5 squares together for years as spiders and have made at least 5 quilts with them. I used one as a backing for a seasonal quilt so I could lay it out year around. You will be amazed how many it takes, yet how quick those pieces add up. Love seeing you do it, too.

"Don`t clutch your pearls!" What a hoot - we laughed when we heard that comment. Thank you for brightening a gloomy day!

I have known about leaders and Enders for a long time but I always thought they were just to keep the fabric from being pulled in. like you said YOur idea is great

My husband told me about the leaders for my machine. He uses one for his leather sewing machine

Thanks again for all the ideas. I love the idea of leaders and Enders instead of my thread bunnies of throw away fabric. And I will add a label from now on.

You are amazing. I love your content. Thank you so much. 💕

I did embroider a label for the quilt I made my friend for her birthday. It was the first one I labelled.

I started using them because fabric was stuck in the needle plate.

I've been doing leader/enders blocks for a few years when I happened upon that by mistake. I used folded pieces of fabric before that because that's what I was taught to do by my first quilt teacher. I didn't have a scrap piece to sew on after finishing a block so I grabbed another block I had pinned up --- light bulb moment! I then started keeping another set of blocks to sew up for a different quilt before I saw a pattern called The Scrappy Corners by Emily Dennis (free pattern) and I've been making those blocks ever since. It's not as simple as having HST's but, BUT, I can make a third quilt from the hst's that I cut from this block! Crazy right! Basically 3 quilts going at the same time. Thank you for telling me about the leader/ender books - didn't know about the existence and now I'm going to enter the rabbit hole for additional leader/ender patterns...I found Emily's pattern last year and haven't changed since.

yes i have her book and i need to put my block into a quilt

About leaders & enders - mine are usually 1.5” squares, which can be made into many different scrap quilts. I’ve made one Postage Stamp quilt in diagonal rows of rainbow colors and a 4-patch inchie block used in a 9-patch variation in teals and red fabrics. Fun stuff. Thanks for the tips of how you do things, interesting to see how other quilters work. I’m usually a one block at a time quilter, works for me. Take care, have fun, and quilt on.

thx

Leaders and enders a must on my machines, thank you for the reminder I should pull out my box of triangles to join. I also stitch the year on other things I make (shirts), so we know how long they last.

Do you not get thread nests on the leaders and enders?

Love ur glasses!

Do you label donation quilts? If you do what do you write?

I absolutely use leaders. They become bonus blocks. Long before RU-vid and quilting books or even quilting. I taught myself how to sew. I taught myself how to repair my machine. My brain suggested a leader. Your beautiful smile and your wit as you are sharing knowledge and appreciated.

I also learned about thread bunnies from Kate at The Last Homely House. Leaders and enders next. Thanks, Amy for this video. 😊

I’m not good at labeling any of my work. After seeing this video, I plan to make more of an effort to label everything. I have purchased antique quilts and have often wondered about the maker but never thought anyone would ever look at something I made and maybe wonder who made it. I really like the idea of the leaders and enders and a bonus project! Thank you for sharing!❤

I have been doing leaders and enders for years, thanks to Bonnie Hunter. Makes a lot of sense to my mind. Makes me feel sneakily productive!

Could i make my geese using the 4 at a time method?

I do use leaders and enders. This year I started sewing 2 inch squares, light and dark for my leaders and enders. I am amazed at how many I’ve made in 2 short weeks! I also sew an extra line when making a half square triangle. I’ve been saving these also, I think I’ll make a doll quilt soon.

I use leaders but not Bonnie’s method. I need to start because I hate wasting thread! 🧵