I am new to quilting. What is the best pencil to use to mark my quilting design on the quilt top? I used a EQ Quilting washout pencil and I can not remove the lines. It has turned my quilting thread pink, also. I also tried a water soluble blue pen and it keeps coming back after I spray water on it. My quilt is almost ruined. :cry: What can I do?

Don't give up on getting those watermarks out of there yet. Some of the ones I've tried in the past needed a good soaking in cold water to vanish completely. You can't use a very heavy hand when drawing with them, so I learned that the hard way.

I use the marking pens made by Dritz. Sold at WalMart (and many other places, I'm sure.) I've tried others but wasn't particularly impressed.
The water soluble pen marks disappear almost immediately after getting a good spritz of water - even after I've ironed over them. (BUT the instructions for both pens say to NOT iron over them, so I'm not recommending you do that unless you're as willing to gamble on such things as I am.)
I live in Coastal Georgia, where the air is almost always at least a little humid. I've found the air soluble marks disappear within one hour if I use a light enough hand. They've never lasted more than a few hours - and never as long as 24 to 72 - even if I iron over them. One good spritz of water and they're definitely gone, gone, gone.

The Dritz web site offers a few hints if you're having problems getting your marks to go away.

http://www.dritz.com/askus/faq/faq_05.php

Don't despair, gjs. If you haven't finished the quilt yet, just keep going. When you're done, I wouldn't be surprised if one good frolic in the washing machine with any mild detergent solves the problem.

If for some reason you can't get them out no matter what you try, then get some paint pens and turn those "mistakes" into artistic embellishments. Nobody but you need ever know the truth. ;-)

I use the water soluable pens on light fabrics and chalk pencils on dark fabrics. When I have completely finished a quilt I run it through the washing machine with no soap to be sure all of the marks are out.

Somewhere I heard that using soap will set the marks. I don't know if that is true or not.

Judy

My favorite is Clover white marking pen for dark material. I also like to use Clover chalk pencils. I have used other brands of white marking pens but Clover brand works the best. I hope this helps. NJBarbara

Kaye Wood recomended using a little baking soda in a spray bottle of water. This worked great for me. Wash your quilt after doing this. I have also had luck in hanging a damp quilt outside in the sun light.

Did you heat set the markings, perhaps? I've found if I spray with water teh markings before pressing anything, they come out easier.

You might want try to a little lemon juice spritz on the marks you are having trouble with and hang it where the sun can get to it. I've had really wonderful results of using this method, without harm to the quilt or the fabrics. You must rinse with clear water after the marks are erased to get the juice out, but that's a minor price.

I use the Dritz water soluable pencils, also. They are good for my arthritic hands. :<)
Sharon

I agree that the blue marks may come out with deeper soaking or when you wash the quilt. I loved the precision of the "washable" thin pencil lead - but I had trouble with it not washing out, too. I do love working with the smooth slate rods that can be sharpened in a pencil sharpener. It marks smoothly, stays on better than chalk, and wears or washes out with no trouble: you can put in experimental lines, then change your mind later. You can't mark an entire quilt safely, because with handling it wears off, but the line is fine, and "erasable". I also like it because the slate comes in different colors, from light to dark, and it is wonderfully smooth and cool to the touch. Lovely to use.

I like the dritz and also the clover air soluable pens. I've had really good luck with using these and what doesn't disappear on it's own have all washed out after the quilt is completed. I think when you complete your quilt and wash it all will be well.
I've never seen the slate rods....will have to look to for them.
Gay

My favorite on dark fabric is a thin piece of bar soap. It works great, can be shaped easily, and definitely washes out. I save my soaps when they get thin, let them dry real good. And they are free! 8)