Help! Help! Help!
 

I just made my first free motion quilt but I sketched a rough design on the white cloth with a Fons and Porter washable graphite pen. Then I washed it but the graphite is not coming out. My life is ruined. This was a gift for a dear friend and I had hand embroidered flowers using silk ribbon. I'll post a picture if I don't shoot myself first. is there anything I can do!

Did you iron the cloth after sketching before stitching? That would set the ink on my Frixxon washable pen.

Did you scrub the lines when washing it? I found I had to vigorously scrub the material together to get the ink to release on my Frixxon pen. In my case I was doing FMQ on an ivory background using black Frixxon ink. Anything that had any kind of heat near the pen took a lot longer and a lot of scrubbing to wash out. It did eventually all wash out, so don't give up hope yet. Just try to scrub it like crazy. You may have to patch your hand embroidery if the pen was near those applique, but that is easier than trashing the entire quilt!

Good luck!

are graphite pens the same as a pencile? Would a white eraser do the job? I use #2 pencils and remove with a White eraser I get at the office center.

I would try an eraser first, rub gently.
I also came across this
http://quiltersreview.com/index.php/...uilting-marks/
Good luck

Is this the graphite pencil you're using? https://www.shopfonsandporter.com/pr...ic-and-notions

Thanks Woody for that link. I think this would be nice to have on hand.

if an eraser does not work contact Fons & Porter thru the web site- they will help you- if you (heat set it) you may have a lasting problem- it is always very important to follow the instructions completely---and test before using any marking tool- sometimes the difference between pre-washed & not washed fabrics can make a difference---you may find oxyclean paste will help- but before doing too much i would find out what the instructions for the specific item say---then contact them for help.

Great idea!QUOTE=Tartan;5030947]If you have any of the original background fabric left, mark that with the same pencil and try the suggestions on that first. If you can find something that will work on the scrap then use it on your quilt. Try everything you can think of on the scrap -oxyclean, Tide pen, Magic eraser....if something bad happens on the scrap you have not damaged your quilt.[/QUOTE]

So sorry for your difficulty. The great suggestions will be helpful to the rest of us. Let us knwo what works.