SandiGrove

I drew the quilting pattern on white fabric with an HB2 pencil - quilted over it AND now I can't get rid of the pencil - I have erased it, washed it and its still there and it's in the centre - eeeeek! Thanks for your help

NJ Quilter

I've only ever had a problem with that combination once. Try using a liquid dish detergent, and lightly 'scrub' with a soft toothbrush. Worked quite well for me. I think I've heard of adding some peroxide to the combo but I'm hesitant to do that on white. Peroxide tends to be a bit corrosive, I think. Good luck. I completely understand your frustration.

ckcowl

how did you wash it? i've been using pencils on fabric for years- it's always come out- when the project is all done; quilted & bound- i wash it, in the washer with warm water & detergent. I also always mark as lightly as possible. if i have a fabric that wants to (hold on to) the pencil lines i spritz them with shout or spray & wash- that has only happened a couple times on fabric that i did not pre-wash- (maybe the sizing or other chemicals in the fabric holds on to it?) anyway- if it's white fabric & other fabrics are not going to run i would try a stain remover--did you (heat-set) the lines by ironing over them? you may be able to put together an (oxyclean) paste & work that into the lines-then rinse well--dawn dish soap works well for removing lots of things---

suern3

What is an HB2 pencil? I used a pencil on one quilt and had the same problem. I ended up scrubbing it with a toothbrush and Dawn dish detergent. It seemed to have set into the thread. Got most of out that way. Not a happy experience.

MartiMorga

Lucky - too new to quilting to have had this problem "yet", glad to know what the solutions are. As always, thank you for asking and thank you ladies for the information.

IQ2

Last week I transferred a quilting motif onto a quilt using the tulle/permanent marker technique. When I traced over the pattern with the water soluble pen apparently the permanent marker hadn't completely dried, because when I sprayed the hand-quilted block with water the pen disappeared but there were black lines around the motif. I couldn't believe it!! I sprayed it a lot with Resolve stain remover and rubbed over it with a dry towel. It lightened but didn't come out. I repeated the process and then sprayed a third time and just left it overnight to dry. Happily by morning all of the black marks were gone.

SandiGrove

Thanks girls,- will try all your suggestions - I have 3 days to 'scrub' - before it get gets on a plane with me to the wedding in Africa - total panic lol

BellaBoo

I was told once that to be sure and use graphite pencils for fabric not real lead pencils. Or vice versa. I forgot. I think lead pencils are banned. Anyway graphite is super teeny tiny powder particles that get into the fabric threads. That is what you are trying to get out, not an actual mark. It will take repetitive action like dowsing or erasing to get the particles free from the threads. I've had good luck with Mr. Clean Eraser.

Diannia

I bought a quilt at an estate sale that was old. It had pencil lines on it still. I use it and had washed it several times when 1 time I put some OxyClean in with the laundry soap. It took out the lines! This quilt had been washed I don't know how many times before I got it and at least 4 times by me prior to the OC. Give it a try...can't hurt!Diannia

KarenR

Try WINK stain remover! I found it to take out a lot of stuff.