Marking a quilt
 

Has anyone ever used the washable Crayola marking pens to mark the quilting pattern on a quilt? I wonder if there are any lines left after washing? The blue or purple pens get expensive, and when you have blue or purple fabric to mark, well, that's a problem sometimes. And I don't like chalk. Any experience with the washable markers?

I haven't used them, but I hear they work. I would test them rigorously before I used them on a quilt, first.

Janet

Be sure and test, test, test.
I used them to mark on white poly batting to cut for trapunto. I tested on the batting and it came right out.
I then tested on unbleached muslin and it realy took some effort to get the lines out.

I've used the Frixxon ballpoint pens which are washable with excellent results. The pens are available at your local office supply store or online. These pens were recommended to me by several machine quilters.

I haven't tried the washable crayola pens. I would definitely want to test them first if I was at all unsure.

Walgreens usually have the pens. However when the temperature get cold the marks will come back but a quick trip to the dryer will takr them away again.

I have used the Crayolas a lot. That is all I use now. One time it took two washings to get out the markings. Just didn't put in dryer in between. Must go by directions on package. Maybe the detergent I used was not the best one to get it out the first time; I buy the cheapest they have that day.

Use caution with the Frixzob pens, the ink WILL come back if the fabric becomes cool or cold.

I used the Crayola markers and had a dickens of a time getting them out. I think it was because I left it in too long as I was hand quilting. I was sick and thought I'd ruined a king size quilt. The marks finally came out when I washed it in a front loading machine. I don't think I'll be using those markers on a quilt again.

Kykat, I know you said that you don't like chalk, but have you tried the Fons & Porter chalk wheel? I hated chalk until I tried the wheel. It makes a very thin line & you just roll on the chalk.

I've had good luck with the crayola washables but would warn you to do all your pressing before your marking 'cause heat can set the marks. I also use warm rather than cold water when washing the marks out - I prewash all my fabrics so don't worry about bleeding.

The reason I don't like chalk is that I use the mylar stencils to mark quilts, and it's hard to get the chalk pencils into the lines of the stencil - they get stuck. Also, I hand quilt in a small hoop on my lap, and I move the quilt around a lot, move the hoop a lot, and if I mark a whole quilt, then the chalk gets dusted off by the time I get very far at all, then all the marking is lost with chalk.

I looked at the Crayola washable markers again, and the directions said to wash with hot water. I NEVER wash my quilts in hot water. Especially the ones I'm making now (with crayolas (heat set and not intended to wash out), dye sticks and fabric markers) I've actually fallen in love with that and I've made 4 so far, working on No. 5, and will post pictures soon.

I love the Frixion pens and highlighters. I always wash my quilts after they're finished and none of them have left even a trace. I put my samples in the freezer and that didn't bring back any hint of the markings, either.

I didn't have the same luck with the Crayola washable markers - even scrubbing the samples hard in between my thumbs in warm water with detergent and Clorox II didn't take all the color out.

I figure that the markings have to come out under the same conditions which I wash my quilts, and like KyKat, I don't ever wash my quilts in hot water, either. I'll stick with the Frixion and the SewLine ceramic pencils. :)