DOTTYMO

Have you got a very good light. I'm hand quilting on dark blue and using a red frixion pen to mark . This shows up wonderfully when I use my magnifying light, otherwise it blends in well in normal light.

NJ Quilter

I don't think I would try the paper with hand quilting. For marking I use either a regular mechanical #2 pencil (for light fabrics) and a similar Bohin mechanical pencil with white lead (for dark fabrics). I have learned to mark as I go as most markings disappear with handling. Sometimes have had to use both pencils within a small space to see the marks depending on the fabric. Good lighting is a major factor as well.

ManiacQuilter2

I totally agree with what everyone else posted. I think cutting up various shapes of your shell pattern using freezer paper would be the only way to go.

feline fanatic

By shell pattern, if you mean the classic clam shell pattern, here is what I would do. Go to a hardware store or walmart and buy the widest painters tape you can find or shelf contact paper. Make yourself a template of a row of clam shells, don't make this template any longer than 6" or so. I think anything bigger might get unweildy. You only need to do the curved top part, it can be flat on the bottom. You can make the template out of card stock, template plastic or even an empty cereal or cracker box. If you have a clamshell stencil you can also use this. Use your template to trace the row of clamshells onto a length of wide painters tape or contact paper. Cut it out. Stick on to your quilt, quilt around it, lift and restick, lather, rinse, repeat. I suspect you will be able to use the tape about 4 or 5 repeats before it quits sticking. I use tape often for quilting straight lines and it works well. Good luck.

oklahomamom2

I do think that might might be my problem the lighting and the fabric is too busy and the markings just don't show up as well.

Boston1954

I use ordinary white chalk, does a great job, and brushes off easily.

oklahomamom2

Thanks so much! I will try this and see how it works.