Best fine line marker?
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
I am making a large amount of HSTs and need to draw a line diagonally across my squares. I'm using a Quilter's Rule Quick Quarter which is a great little tool, but the slot is narrow, which it needs to be. A mechanical pencil fits best, but doesn't mark easily. Sometimes the fabric gets pulled out of place. A ballpoint pen marks easily, but doesn't fit in the slot well. Any suggestions? Something that is narrow tipped, but marks easily on light and dark fabrics.
#4
I don't know if pencils have the same grading system in the States as here in the UK, so whether this will be much help - but most pencils here have an "HB" on them, meaning "hard black" - ie a hard lead and a dark line. These aren't ideal for marking fabric because, as you describe, they drag it. You can also buy pencils that are "2B" - these have a softer, lighter coloured lead that marks more easily and is much better for fabric. They're getting hard to find, but an art shop or large stationer's should have them.
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 935
Originally Posted by irishrose
I am making a large amount of HSTs and need to draw a line diagonally across my squares. I'm using a Quilter's Rule Quick Quarter which is a great little tool, but the slot is narrow, which it needs to be. A mechanical pencil fits best, but doesn't mark easily. Sometimes the fabric gets pulled out of place. A ballpoint pen marks easily, but doesn't fit in the slot well. Any suggestions? Something that is narrow tipped, but marks easily on light and dark fabrics.
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
I have a piece of sandpaper paper clipped to a notebook. The LQS employee recommended a clipboard, but mine is missing. I like the cardboard notebook because it's slightly bendable to help get the fabric off.
The ruler came from the LQS. It comes in 2 lengths. The smaller one is big enough for up to at least a 6 inch square. It has a slot in the center for drawing the cutting line and then when I draw on each side of the ruler, the lines are exactly 1/4" from the cutting line. Finally, good HSTs.
I scrounged around last night and found an inexpensive Bic ballpoint pen. It fits in the slot, so for now I'm all set, but will look for a softer pencil. This quilt has a black ground, so the pen isn't going to make a difference, but if I were using white, I'd want a much lighter line.
The ruler came from the LQS. It comes in 2 lengths. The smaller one is big enough for up to at least a 6 inch square. It has a slot in the center for drawing the cutting line and then when I draw on each side of the ruler, the lines are exactly 1/4" from the cutting line. Finally, good HSTs.
I scrounged around last night and found an inexpensive Bic ballpoint pen. It fits in the slot, so for now I'm all set, but will look for a softer pencil. This quilt has a black ground, so the pen isn't going to make a difference, but if I were using white, I'd want a much lighter line.
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