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A label should be firmly attached to the lower right corner of the back of your quilt. Many quilters recommend attaching the label before the quilt is quilted so the label can not be easily removed without damaging the quilt. Another suggestion is to write directly onto the quilt with a permanent marker. If you like, this could be back-up identification under your regular label. For more ideas on making labels read Labeling Your Quilts (http://www.lostquilt.com/Labeling.html)

• Hide a signature

Many quilters like to sign their quilts in a hidden place so that if their label is removed they can still positively identify their quilt. Some suggest signing the quilt in the seam allowance that will be covered by the binding. If you will be attaching a hanging sleeve to the back of your quilt, consider signing underneath or inside the sleeve. Put your hidden signature in the same place on every quilt or write down where it is and put that information with your other documentation.

• Piece the backing

Piece your backing and then take a photograph of the back of your quilt when you are done. If your quilt becomes lost and someone finds it, this is an additional way to identify it. You will know how the back is pieced and you will have a photo of it. Someone else may be able to describe the front of your quilt in an attempt to wrongfully claim it, but they probably won't know what the back looks like.

• Document your quilt after is is made

This includes good photos of the completed quilt. Hire a professional photographer, if necessary. Also, keep a record of the shows where you displayed the quilt and any awards it won. You may also want to copyright your quilt (http://www.lostquilt.com/CopyrightYourQuilt.html)

• Check the quality of your pictures

Be sure you have good pictures before you send your quilt to a show. Make sure the pictures are developed successfully and give a true representation of your quilt. If you are only an amateur, point-and-press photographer, read Photographing Your Quilts (http://www.lostquilt.com/Photographing.html/) for tips for successful quilt photography.

• Get a professional appraisal

This will be very important to establish the value of your quilt. You can get a list of AQS Certified Appraisers by contacting:
     American Quilter's Society
     PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290, Phone: 270-898-7903
     http://www.aqsquilt.com/appraisers.shtml
or you can find an appraiser in your area on the internet through:
     Professional Association of Appraisers
     http://quiltappraisers.org/

• Embed a Microchip

The newest technology allows you to embed a microchip in your quilt. The microchip can be scanned to identify who the owner is. Visit the Chipped Quilts (http://www.chippedquilts.com) website for more information.

• Sources for more information

Internet:

• Documenting Family Quilts
  (http://reddawn.net/quilt/documnt.htm)

Books and Periodicals:

• Brackman, Barbara, "Documentation Projects: Uncovering Heritage Quilts," Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, No. 200, (March 1988), pp. 36-37.
• McDonald, Ann, "Lost and Found: Recovering Your Missing Quilts," Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, No. 294, (July/August 1997), pp. 46-47.
• Shirer, Marie, "Writing a Record of Your Quilt," Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, No. 185, (September 1986), p. 48.
• Wagner, Carol, "Label & Document Your Quilts," American Quilter, Vol. V, No. 1, (Spring 1989), pp. 54-55.