Quilt marking methods

[RenC]

I've been following the discussion on Frixion pens & searched the forum & Googled for other methods of quilt marking. There are a few methods that come up : air erasable pen, pencil, hera marker, painters tape, and chalk pounce pads.

One person mentioned using the sharp edge of a used piece of soap. That sounds like a great idea as it would wash out when the quilt is washed.

Has anyone heard of this or tried it out?

[SuzyQue]

Re: Quilt marking methods

Yes, this is a very old technique used for generations. I would recommend Ivory or some other type of white, non-perfumed, gentle soap. I find it harder to get a thin enough line, but it should wash out.

[shirleyknot]

Re: Quilt marking methods

Crayola Ultra-washable markers are the best. Also the blue quilters marking pen, have used this for decades. The silver pencil is also pretty good. Regular pencil doesn't always wash out.

[Vonnie]

Re: Quilt marking methods

Crayola Ultra-washable markers are the best. Also the blue quilters marking pen, have used this for decades. The silver pencil is also pretty good. Regular pencil doesn't always wash out.

Shirley, do we need to wash the quilt or can we just use a damp cloth and rub it off?

[JCY]

Re: Quilt marking methods

The blue Mark-B-Gone pens work well. I buy mine at Wal-Mart, where they're cheaper than at a quilt store. Just remember to not iron over it! The quilt will need to be washed in cold water when it's finished to remove the markings. I still use Frixion pens for most of my marking, which is minimal. It irons off, & one doesn't have to wash the quilt before gifting. However, all my baby quilts I always wash (in cold water) before gifting to remove sizing & any chemicals in the fabrics. I don't wash large quilts before gifting. I would never use soap to mark. I've never used a pounce pad; I've seen them demo'd, but find them impractical. I have a quilting friend who uses a mechanical pencil & marks very light lines; she hand quilts.

[shirleyknot]

Re: Quilt marking methods

Shirley, do we need to wash the quilt or can we just use a damp cloth and rub it off?

Both will work. I have often just misted with a spray bottle, and they are gone. Except the silver pencil. Rub it off or wash it.

[seaturtle]

Re: Quilt marking methods

Both will work. I have often just misted with a spray bottle, and they are gone. Except the silver pencil. Rub it off or wash it.

What is the silver pencil? I don't think I've seen that one. Thanks.

[shirleyknot]

Re: Quilt marking methods

Usually comes in a package with a yellow one, which doesn't work well. It IS just a silver painted pencil, with silver lead that shows up equally well on both dark and light fabric. Most often found at Walmart these days.

[Sylvia H]

Re: Quilt marking methods

I LOVE using the air erasable marker, but it erases very quickly in high humidity - sometimes in less than an hour. In my home, the marking usually last for 2 - 3 days. I threw away my pounce pad and the extra bag of chalk. It is messy, and many marks brushed off before I got to them. I would even use the chalk with the brush on method - the chalk still messy and goes away too quickly.

If the air erasable doesn't work for me, I like to use the Chaco liners that can be purchased online and at quilt stores. They come in several different colors.

[Vonnie]

Re: Quilt marking methods

Thanks Shirley. I will look for those crayola markers the next time I go to Wally World.

[RenC]

Re: Quilt marking methods

Crayola Ultra-washable markers are the best. Also the blue quilters marking pen, have used this for decades. The silver pencil is also pretty good. Regular pencil doesn't always wash out.

Thanks I think I'm going to give this a try as well.

[shirleyknot]

Re: Quilt marking methods

I LOVE using the air erasable marker, but it erases very quickly in high humidity - sometimes in less than an hour. In my home, the marking usually last for 2 - 3 days. I threw away my pounce pad and the extra bag of chalk. It is messy, and many marks brushed off before I got to them. I would even use the chalk with the brush on method - the chalk still messy and goes away too quickly.

If the air erasable doesn't work for me, I like to use the Chaco liners that can be purchased online and at quilt stores. They come in several different colors.

Pounce lasts better if you mist it with cheap hairspray after marking. Holds chalk as well as hair.

[jjkaiser]

Re: Quilt marking methods

Soap works great especially on dark flannel where chalk pencils just don't seem to show up very well. The downside to using soap is you need a pretty small sliver to achieve a sharp line but then the soap is so thin that it tends to break, so you need to start saving those end pieces from your shower when they start getting too small for bathing. The other down side is the soap seems to fade off a bit of you hq like me so you only want to make your mark in sections, otherwise they will start disappearing on you.

I have had excellent results with Fons & Porter water soluble graphite pencil you can get at Jo Ann and also the General's pencil, which is chalk (comes in blue, white, gray, or pink) at the Fat Quarter Shop. All these sharpen with a regular hand crank pencil sharpener.

[Patty J]

Re: Quilt marking methods

What is the brush on method for chalk marking, Do you use a brush rather than the pounce pads? Thanks

[shirleyknot]

Re: Quilt marking methods

What is the brush on method for chalk marking, Do you use a brush rather than the pounce pads? Thanks

Yes. The disposable foam brushes work the best.