Originally Posted by
Jan in VA
1. Use 100% cotton fabric.
2. Use Pigma pens in 05 size. (This is going to be a problem for you with blocks going all over the US. Maybe having them sign in pencil with you writing over that signature with a Pigma pen will solve the problem.)
3. Back the signature are of the fabric with a piece of ironed on freezer paper (from Reynold's, in the grocery store); This stabilizes the area for the pen, and can be peeled off after the blocks are signed.
4. Press the signature blocks with a dry iron before you wash the finished quilt.
Jan in VA
To add to Jan's excellent advice - do not starch the fabric before it is signed. The pen will write on the starch layer, and much of it washes out. This was learned sadly after using Pigma pens and heat setting.
The freezer paper backing stiffens the paper enough to sign it - but do specify that they are not to sign the paper (I had to trace an entire classroom's signatures onto a block after they signed the paper not the fabric.
I also heartily agree with the tip to frame the area you want signed with the blue painter's tape as non quilters don't get "sign in the middle of the block" as a way to avoid losing their signature in the seam allowance.
Cheers, K