I just finished handstitching my binding on the little quilt I made for the little girl who adopted my foster kitten. I had used the "water eraseable" marker to mark the cable I used on the last border. I started to take the blue out and on the last side, about 1/2 of the blue did not come out. I'm just sick about it. What happened? Has any one else had this problem? It was on the quilt less than 24 hours and it came out completely from the other 3 1/2 sides. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to remove the blue lines. It's not as vivid as it had been but definately still noticible. I would appreciate any help anyone may have. I have it hanging up since I did not want to put it into the dryer and risk the chance of setting, Thanks everyone.

Wendy

My first question is to ask if it was near any sunshine or light? Sometimes even the heat from the sun coming through a window can set the blue pen. I have a friend who sat her applique in a hot car once and set every blue mark she had. I learned from her and have always tried to be super careful.

When you soaked it in water, did you soak it in super cold water? I know that seems to make a big difference for me. If I use it on a quilt, I either soak it in the sink (if it's a table runner or small size) or in the wash machine. I use cold water and then add some ice to it to make the water super cold. This has always served me well and is a trick I picked up when just regular water wouldn't wash out the markings for me. Maybe this will help you. I sure hope so!

It is very sweet of you to make the little girl a quilt. I'm sure she will love it, even if the markings don't come out.

Thanks Tiffany, I will try REALLY cold water. For most of the lines, I didn't even soak the markings. They came out as soon as the water hit them. I did use cold water but maybe it wasn't cold enough. I'm glad I didn't put it in the dryer. I know that would have set it really good. I wondered what would happen if I used a little laundry soap or non-chlorine bleach on the lines? I was afraid to try it since the backing fabric had dark greens and the border was off-white. I'm trying to think if I perhaps pressed the binding in that area and it got hot. I don't think so but when you mentioned the hot car it got me thinking.

I know the young girl will love the quilt. I used a little panel with a kitten in the very center that looks just like my little foster girl. She was brought to me when she was just days old and I bottle fed her. They picked her up on Weds and took her to the vet for a check up on Fri. The vet said she was in excellent shape and had be taken care of by a "good momma". I cried when she left but I know she is in her forever home and is very much loved. I still have 3 little boys that had been brought to me 2 1/2 weeks earlier that I also bottle raised. They are supposed to be fixed Tuesday, then will go to the store where their forever families will see them and adopt them. I had planned to take them on Weds but the store is closed Thursday (someone will go in to feed all the animals) and I do not want to leave them all by themselves all day. They would just not understand after being with me since babies. It's going to be hard enough to be stuck in a cage after having a whole guest room to play in.

Better run, thanks again. I will try the ice. Wish me luck!

Wendy

Also, if you iron the top...let it cool completely before marking it!!!! :wink:

When I use the "BLUE PEN" for marking, I do soak the quilt for 30 minutes (minimum) in ice water in the washer. I just unload my ice bucket in the icemaker into the washer and let it soak. After the soak, I wash in cold water with Purex detergent (without bleach)

Either the section of quilt was exposed to heat in some fashion OR the pen bled thru to the batting.

I have heard that detergents can help set the stain so you definitely don't want to try that, unless it's a last option!

Good luck! It sounds like you are a rescuer. Good for you! That is such a hard job and yet so rewarding. I've rescued hedgehogs, though I currently only have one little guy left and he wasn't a rescue. My name and number are with the pound so if they ever get one turned in to them they call me. Normally if that happens, the little guys are in bad shape and need a lot of love and care. I can't imagine baby kittens are much different. I helped bottle feed a baby kitten whose mother had been killed (car ran over her) when I was younger so I have some respect for what you are doing. It's hard when they leave but knowing they are in a forever home is a wonderful feeling and you should be very proud of what you've accomplished!

I hope you get an answer. I have used those pens and never had a problem. You are a wonderful giving person. Helping those poor babies that need you so.

I have never had this problem. I just throw finished project in wash & it always washs out. You are scareing me because I am working on lap quilt for my mom & the blocks have blue marking all over where I marked the centers for machine embroidery. Try the washing machine & see what happens.

I have used these pens a lot, and I always wash the quilt in cold water in the washer, no problems. I will be careful from now on to make sure there is no heat near it though

What I don't get is I have ironed over the marks & they still wash out.