I'm doing a guest quilt for my wedding and people will be writing on pre-cut squares of fabric to be pieced together after the wedding.

Does anyone have a specific brand or type of fabric they'd recommend?

Also, what type of pens?

I've never done a quilt like this before!

Thanks!!!

Pigma pens I think is what they are called . Textile pens .

Also will the squares be on a table ? You might want to have a way to mark off the signing area, so when you sew it together you don't lose part of the signature, message !

Congrats on the upcoming wedding :lol:

Any cotton fabric will work, except for white on white, it is embossed and doesn't take the ink as well. Ironing freezer paper on the back, makes it easier to hold the paper in place while signing it. The shiny side will stick nicely and it peels right off, leaving no residue :wink:
If you put blue painters tape around the edges, it keeps people from signing out past the seam allowance :D:D:D

It might be a good idea to iron on freezer paper to the back leaving a 1/2 inch or so around the edge. That way people will not mark clear into the edge & you lose that when you go to put them together. It will be awonderful quilt!

I've done quite a few wedding quilts with guests signing blocks at the reception. Any light colored fabric that will show up a black or blue ink will do fine. I've even used a light cloud fabric. As mentioned before, no white on white fabric.

I use fine point sharpie markers. For an extra fine point, a gel point pen works great. In addition to ironing the blocks to freezer paper, I sew around the edges at least a quarter inch or 3/8" from the edge. I use an inexpensive thread and widen the stitches to a 2.8 or a 3.0 for ease of removal. This helps with keeping the guests from signing to close to the edge.

If possible, I try to tell each guest about staying inside the stitched lines, or have a sign posted on the table where the blocks will be.

Fabrico pens ARE permanent. Wash it, bleach it, whatever Fabric Pens will stay. They are made for this purpose, and come in LOTS of colors.

Lots of pens which are labeled permanent, are not. I learned that at a fabric inking class. The instructor had samples of many supposedly "permanent" pens and they don't hold up washing, but Fabrico pens do. They are made by Tsukineko.

See here:
http://www.tsukineko.com/store/cart....duct_list&c=49

Thanks all... I have never used freezer paper before. I will look into it!

Also, is there a certain quality cotton you like that would come in a solid light yellow?

Thanks!!!

What a great momento from your wedding. I'll look forward to the picture of your quilt.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

A nice grade of muslim will work great. Also, as far as the pens go. I've used:

Pigma - not crazy about the tip on them, find the fine tip on them makes it hard to write with.

Y&C FabricMate - Works well, just have to make sure the tips are solid and if written with too hard they'll bleed (probably wouldn't work well with a group).

ZIG Memory System- Found these in the papercraft area. Absolutely wonderful, ballpoint tip makes for very easy writing (no drag as with the Pigma). They're Photo Safe, Acid-free, Archival quality, lightfast, waterproof, fade-proof and non-bleeding. Will end up purchasing these in more colors.

"Also, is there a certain quality cotton you like that would come in a solid light yellow? "

I like the quality in the solids of KAUFMAN KONA - watch there are other Konas out there. I get mine at Hobby Lobby I think it was on sale last time for $4.29/yard. I've used the Red, Snow and White. Their Yellow is beautiful...