Thursday, June 28, 2012

Labels

Most of the wool for my hooked rugs comes from thrift store clothing - I love the thrill of the hunt I guess - plus the price is much friendlier! As I dismantle each piece I save the buttons (of course), sometimes the seam tape, and usually the labels. Here's my stash of labels that I store in an old sewing machine drawer.


 I'm not sure what exactly I'll use the labels for, but I recently found some inspiration about that.


Janet buys wool sweaters to use for some of her crafts (you should see the family Christmas stockings she's made through the years) and she made this darling tote bag/purse as a birthday gift for her daughter using the clothing tags from those sweaters.


Several months ago I attended a quilt show and saw this piece that is totally covered with labels. The story of the quilt was especially touching because each block was laid out by a small boy who was hospitalized at the time - and the nurses and doctors who cared for him all donated labels from their own clothing, plus gathered some from friends and family. His mom would then sew the labels down and he'd start on the next block - eventually they had enough for an entire quilt.


Here's a couple of close-ups. .





And I found this jacket that was embellished with vintage clothing labels.


Hmmm....... do any of YOU have ideas of what I can use my collection of labels for?

15 comments:

Kim said...

I love that quilt idea. And the story behind that particular one is very touching. A pillow would be great also.

Laurel said...

I'm sure you will come up something unique and wonderful.

Kaaren said...

How about a needlecase or pincushion?

Aren't I so predictable? *wink*

~Sara said...

Love this post. I am sure you will get lots of ideas.I am thinking it would make a pretty cool tie, although I like the pocket book idea.Happy stitching. Blessings ~Sara

Raymond Homestead said...

Well aren't those clever ideas?! I wish I could think of things like that!!

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

What a cool post. I never would have thought of a label quilt...but it's mighty nifty!
Hugs,
Courtney

Janet O. said...

Wonderful ideas, Gayle! I save the labels from all of the plaid thrift store shirts I use in quilting. Mine are in a large jar in my sewing room. All of these ideas are great, but I think the purse is my favorite. I have nothing original to add. I've been saving the labels, but had no idea what I would do with them. : )

Ann said...

Gayle, Thanks for sharing these ideas. I have a stash of labels started (not nearly enough to do anything with) and have wondered what I could do with them. ~Ann

Rugs and Pugs said...

Neat ideas!
Hugs :)
Lauren

Nedra said...

Oh, I never thought about collecting labels. Now that you mention it, I've seen a few added in to vintage crazy quilts.

Unknown said...

What wonderful ideas.
I would've never thought to keep the labels.
Hugs,
Tam

annie said...

that's a great post!

Mimi Sue said...

Did you see that label quilt at the quilt display at the Church History Museum a couple of years ago? It was so awesome. Mimi

jody said...

oh my gosh, never thought to save the labels.... could have had a drawer full to as i love thrift shopping and garage saleing for wool! enjoy your evening.

Julia said...

I too save labels from wool garments from the thrift store but since I haven't been hooking that long I don't have a drawer full.

I've seen a beautiful handbag made with labels on Rug Hooking Daily and it inspired me to save labels. The jacket is a great idea and so is the quilt.

You little quilt is very lovely. After finishing a king size one it sounds like a wonderful idea but I still have several quilts that I cut fabric fora while back and it still sits there.

JB