Signing blocks

Let me start by saying my hand writing is bad enough on paper, forget fabric! In the group project thread, someone had mentioned signing her block on paper and then ironing the signature on. How does that work?

Besides my basket, I also have a wedding signature quilt for my brother planned, which I'm still brainstorming pattern ideas for. I think I need to figure that out before I start cutting, but if people could sign on paper and then I'd iron it on later, that might work even better than having the blocks all there.

Too many posts to go through Bratt but I don't remember seeing that . There was a post about writing the sig on paper and having it traced over a light box by RM . My writing isn't the best either but I get it on there [ sort of .] Do you iron a piece of freezer paper to the back of the fabric you are going to write on ? this stabilizes it and stops it from stretching so makes it easier to write on.

If I recall how that was stated was that the name would be traced not ironed on.
Bratt...its very easy to write on fabric if you do iron a piece of freezer paper on the back side of the cotton.
I have bad handwriting and have used a pretty font, and traced it on, tape it to the smooth side of the freezer paper, iron the shiny side to the back of the cotton and put to a light source and using an archival pen (pigma) sign.;

Rats. Anita mom used the freezer paper method when she did the 80th birthday party signature quilt for my grandma. It did not help me. I was really hoping for some other alternative.....maybe someone else might have ideas?

Are you better at printing Bratt ? I personally hate my printing but some are better at it than writing.

Bratt have a look at this http://www.quiltdesignnw.com/tips_line_transfer.htm

Have done two wedding siggy quilts and one graduation one. Precut squares after ironing on freezer paper, marked seam allowance margin w/ washout markers. It worked fine....put out a very large scrappy piece for people to practice doodle on before signing a square to get the idea. Printed out instructions for signing on pretty paper and put in a pretty frame. Basket for unsigned blocks, basket for signed ones. Put flowers on end of pens to keep people from taking them....used pigma pens. I can't even imagine tracing over the messages....would have taken me FOREVER!

Henny.....those pens looked very interesting to me....just ordered a four pack of them from amazon. 12.99...thanks : )

I have not tried them Chris , found the link on my computer among stuff I was cleaning out.

HP, so if I'm understanding your link correctly, that would still require you to either trace over it or embroider over it, right? Trust me, when I say my handwriting is bad, it means any kind of writing! I don't distinguish too much between printing and cursive, they're both bad. I might have to look at the link again when I'm a little more awake!

TMM, thanks for the tips on the wedding quilt. I had figured I would have to stand there and explain it a million times. This would work a LOT better!

Bratt...I would think that if you used these pens to transfer you would first have to sign your name backwards...that might be ever harder.

Bratt, if you know someone with nice handwriting, have them write your name on the block. It is not really a signature as much as it is to identify who made it and where it is from. Printing is not a signature and I always print on my blocks so it is legible.

Oh gee, never thought of the back to front handwriting I'm with TXM , get someone else to do the writing for you.if you aren't happy . Although....I have a hand print quilt that I have been working at on which the blocks are all signed. Some of the writing on them isn't great but to me that makes it so personal . But then it is a hand print of the person not an impersonal basket .I'd go with someone else signing , it's your name that is important.

Youre welcome Bratt. I still had people write in the margins, even when it said NOT to...lol. Made the margins 1/2 inch instead of 1/4 even tho I used 1/4 for sewing....that helped. We also included in the instructions for children to draw pictures if they wanted to instead of signing names.....too too cute. Even some adults drew pics. Provided some relief to all the writing.

Bratt what about printing out your wording using a font on the computer then tracing it onto your block, or get a friend to trace or write it for you, TxMary and HP are on the ball there, thats what Id do, just dont stress over it, there is a simple solution

Ok, I have everything I need right now to get started, which is fabric and freezer paper.

Current dilemma is since I have never done this before, I'm not quite sure of the order I need to do the steps in. The blocks will be 3 strips sewn together, blue on the outer ends and silver in the middle. The plan is to have people sign the silver one. Does that make sense?

I am not sure at what point the freezer paper goes on.

Obviously, I would cut first, but do I do freezer paper before or after sewing the strips into blocks?

I am actually considering starting this weekend. After all, we have 84 days left till the wedding, so I have about 83 days to get these blocks made!

I would make your blocks and then cut freezer paper the size of the strip that you want written on and then iron them on the back. Remember to use a hard surface for ironing your freezer paper so it will hold well with handling.

What Mamu said.

Got it, thanks!

I did cut the strips for the first round of blocks earlier. I'm thinking I may need MORE fabric. Should be able to get 48 blocks out of what was cut and I need a closer head count before buying anything else. I think they said around 100 people, but what they actually decide on may be another story!

Um, yeah, I think a fairly accurate head count would be good.

One thing I discovered was that many times couples will sign one block. I ended up with a LOT of extra blocks when I made one for each person. I'd go maybe 75-85 % of head count.

So I've been trying to decide the best place to put this picture, and this seems to be it. TMM was nice enough to email me one of her signs and I used that as a template at the reception. Got a cheapo sign holder for it and two baskets for the blocks. I was able to finish putting the blocks together and get borders on while Bill & Bridget were up for a cookout and Grandma's funeral.




This is gonna be the backing whenever I order it.

http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=c59a2acf-b685-4122-9e88-99a05add2e5c

Looks great!!!!

Iron on the freezer paper after the blocks are formed. what I found was that most people had absolutely no idea what was expected, but tried sweetly anyway.

PS. It just occurred to me that doing red/white/blue signature blocks to go into a QOV would be a good idea. Hmmm. Maybe we should have a stack of them made up for out quilt show.