Snippets ~ A Quilter's Name-tag

Getting ready for the New Year... cleaning up the sewing room, and here's a solution for "orphan" blocks.

Sew your favorite quilt block in any size up to 5".    

This one is 4-1/2" unfinished, a cute little leftover "orphan" block from my Paper-Piecing Basics Tutorial. <<  (Download FREE Hot Air Balloon pattern HERE).

Leave a space for your name or stitch a 1-1/2" strip of fabric along one side of the block.

Embroider or write your name with a Pigma Pen on the block or on the strip. 

Cut a piece of batting and backing to the size needed.   I used a piece of Pellon Fusible Fleece and pressed it (with steam) to adhere it to the wrong side of the backing.

Next, decide how you want to finish the edges.   For an Envelope Finish (<< instructions), layer right sides together and stitch, leaving an opening for turning, then hand-stitch the opening closed.

Or add a binding, just as with any quilt. I used my favorite method here >> Binding Tutorial, with a narrow 1-3/4" folded binding strip.  Layer the top over batting, right side up, then zig-zag to baste the edges together.   I added extra batting, to give a little "loft" to my hot air balloon.

Quilt by hand or by machine.  I outline-stitched then added some detail around the basket.  Then I machine-stitched my binding to the front of the nametag, and hand-stitched it to the back to finish.

Whip-stitch a safety pin or o-ring to the back of the nametag, then pin it on or hang on a lanyard and it's ready to wear to the next guild meeting or quilting event.

 Oh, you can almost see it in this ↑ picture with my friend, Becky (Ucreate)!