How often have you admired a quilt and wondered who made it and when it was made?

If you're anything like me, frequently once I sew the last stitch of binding on the quilt, I declare it complete -- without a name label.

Now that I have a collection of many quilts, when I made them has become a blur that I wish were different. And I remember all of the quilts I have given away with no identifying mark.

You can prevent that by signing and dating your quilt. Fabric markers make it a simple and quick.

Or you can create a label and stitch it onto your quilt. Get creative with your quilt label -- you've spent hours creating your heirloom, allow future generations to appreciate your work by name.

Here are some tips for marking your quilts:

a) Include your complete name -- first, last and maiden name. Tracing quilts through families becomes easier if all names are included.

b) If your quilt was a community project, include the names of everyone who participated.

c) Record the entire date when the quilt was completed -- month, day and year. Adding information about events surrounding the quilt also give the quilt a sustaining history -- the birth of a baby (specifically named in the label), marriage of a couple (named in the label), a son or daughter going off to school…..you get the idea.

d) Specify where the quilt was made -- city and country.