What is the very best way to mark a quilt for quilting?
10-14-2013, 08:02 AM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Traverse City, MI
Posts: 405
Lqs tested the pen on brown fabric. A silver line was left after heat applied: don't know if they then washed the sample. I know I used it mark applique block for piece placement. I ironed the background before starting the appilque when camping. Silly me. All the lines were gone so no project to work on that weekend.
10-14-2013, 08:38 AM
#42
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Winston-Salem NC
Posts: 659
...Here is the link if anyone is interested. http://mythreesonsknit.blogspot.com/...s-warning.html
My method: Wash newly purchased fabric in hot water with unscented/undyed detergent (eg All Free) and color catchers. Line dry. Iron before using fabric. I don't starch, I don't use a pressing aid, I do use steam.
Mark quilt top with whatever color chalk will show clearly, machine quilt over it, brush as much of the line away as possible with a natural bristle nail brush (just happens to be what I have lying in my marking pen box). If I have marked with either of the disappearing pens (air or water) I spray those lines away with plain water from a plastic spray bottle as I finish a section.
Wash completed quilt in warm or hot water, unscented detergent, color catchers. Line dry, or dry flat. Jump up and down cursing because chalk lines have not come out.
Alison
10-29-2013, 09:48 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Washington state
Posts: 474
I like to use Bohin's ceramic marking pencils. The white will rub off eventually so I don't mark an entire quilt. The grey does remain while quilting. I recently bought Quilter's Rule Marking Pencil Removal spray and used it on my last quilt. After washing the quilt, the marking lines were gone. I was pleasantly surprised. I have only used it the one time so I can't say if it works time and time again. The bottle says it contains no phosphates and removes marking pencil marks safely.
10-29-2013, 10:06 AM
#45
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
My experience is that sprit zing is not enough. It can't possibly take all the color out an what about the chemical left in the fabric. The ceramic pencil is not not to spritz. I don't believe any chalk should be spritzed either as water will cake the chalk.
10-29-2013, 01:49 PM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,832
Holice, I think listing steps is important.
*Prewash all fabric (unless I cant.....at a retreat....just had to have....from the vendor....use it now!)
*Press usually dry iron, not spray. Sometimes use water spritz or steam. Do NOT use Best Press or Starch, etc.
*Mark before assembling sandwich. Blue water erase pen preferred. White, pink or grey ceramic lead second choice. Frixion third choice.
*For water soluble pens/pencils, soak in warm water tub for 1/2 hour. Squeeze out water. Lay out flat to block.
*For heat removable products, press with iron, then block.
Have never had a problem with these methods.
Did have a quilt marked with blue water soluble pen. Gave it lots of water spritz, layed to dry, it came back. Was pretty careful, but did iron some of the returned marks. Then tub soaked it....it all came out.
Light color fabric is easy to mark. Highly patterned with lots of value contrast and dark fabrics are a challenge. For dark fabrics the ceramic pencils are the only I've found to show up. For highly patterned I've quilted it using an ebroidery machine, FMQ or panto...no markers have given a visable line I can follow.
Have gotton crayola water soluble markers and pounce powder that doesn't blow off. Haven't had chance to try them yet.
This is a subject I still watch for at international quilt shows, what product is out there now?
*Prewash all fabric (unless I cant.....at a retreat....just had to have....from the vendor....use it now!)
*Press usually dry iron, not spray. Sometimes use water spritz or steam. Do NOT use Best Press or Starch, etc.
*Mark before assembling sandwich. Blue water erase pen preferred. White, pink or grey ceramic lead second choice. Frixion third choice.
*For water soluble pens/pencils, soak in warm water tub for 1/2 hour. Squeeze out water. Lay out flat to block.
*For heat removable products, press with iron, then block.
Have never had a problem with these methods.
Did have a quilt marked with blue water soluble pen. Gave it lots of water spritz, layed to dry, it came back. Was pretty careful, but did iron some of the returned marks. Then tub soaked it....it all came out.
Light color fabric is easy to mark. Highly patterned with lots of value contrast and dark fabrics are a challenge. For dark fabrics the ceramic pencils are the only I've found to show up. For highly patterned I've quilted it using an ebroidery machine, FMQ or panto...no markers have given a visable line I can follow.
Have gotton crayola water soluble markers and pounce powder that doesn't blow off. Haven't had chance to try them yet.
This is a subject I still watch for at international quilt shows, what product is out there now?
10-30-2013, 05:44 AM
#47
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
I know, I know...provocative title! And I know there is no right answer - but I have been experimenting with different methods since I started quilting (lo these many years), and I feel comfortable saying that I have found many wrong answers!
Mostly these days I mark with very pale colored chalk after the quilt is layered, and only do a small section of marking at a time, as the chalk tends to flake away as I move the quilt around. I have had problems with brighter colored chalk staining (even on colored, patterned fabrics), and I find the water erase quilt markers dry out too quickly to be worth the money. (But I really do like them. *sigh*) I also frequently use the white, yellow or blue fabric marking pencils, and have not had staining issues with them. I've never been successful marking the top before layering it - the methods I have tried have all had to be substantially re-marked after layering, or have left permanent marks.
Alison
Mostly these days I mark with very pale colored chalk after the quilt is layered, and only do a small section of marking at a time, as the chalk tends to flake away as I move the quilt around. I have had problems with brighter colored chalk staining (even on colored, patterned fabrics), and I find the water erase quilt markers dry out too quickly to be worth the money. (But I really do like them. *sigh*) I also frequently use the white, yellow or blue fabric marking pencils, and have not had staining issues with them. I've never been successful marking the top before layering it - the methods I have tried have all had to be substantially re-marked after layering, or have left permanent marks.
Alison
02-05-2014, 07:50 PM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 751
ditto to all you have said!
I've had the same dilemma ... I don't like taking risks and do not wash my quilts after quilting!
After reading about them here, I got a ceramic pencil this summer. It's a mechanical lead, in both black/charcoal and white.
So far so good, for the limited use I have had ... it makes a fine line, seems to "stick" when moving the quilt around, and pretty much disappears with the quilting. Or is it covered by the thread? Regardless, removal has not been an issue, so far!
It is water soluble, and while I have not had the need (yet!) ... some posters reported on here that they spritz it with water and rub it out, without washing. Another said she dabbed water on with a paint brush to remove the markings.
So long as it keeps on this way ... you can call me happy!
I've had the same dilemma ... I don't like taking risks and do not wash my quilts after quilting!
After reading about them here, I got a ceramic pencil this summer. It's a mechanical lead, in both black/charcoal and white.
So far so good, for the limited use I have had ... it makes a fine line, seems to "stick" when moving the quilt around, and pretty much disappears with the quilting. Or is it covered by the thread? Regardless, removal has not been an issue, so far!
It is water soluble, and while I have not had the need (yet!) ... some posters reported on here that they spritz it with water and rub it out, without washing. Another said she dabbed water on with a paint brush to remove the markings.
So long as it keeps on this way ... you can call me happy!
02-05-2014, 08:30 PM
#50
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 90
I use the purple disappearing ink. Yes, it does disappear quickly, BUT if you mark a section and immediately apply heat with an iron it will make the ink darker and stay longer, but I promise you, it will eventually disappear. This method has not failed me yet.
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