Marking pencils, pounces. stencils ? I want to start quilting at home !
#1
Marking pencils, pounces. stencils ? I want to start quilting at home !
I am ready to start quilting my quilt tops and wonder what is the best thing to use ? I have used the blue pens that wash out but that is too much work on a large queen size top. I was looking at the latest Keepsake Quilting book and saw various things for quilting the quilt. One thing I was interested in is the Ultimate Quilt Pounce Pad and Stencils and also the Stipples Made Easy. Has anyone used these before ? I do not have a long arm and these quilts will be sewed on my sewing machine. Because my recent cataract surgery went awry and my vision is now worst than it was, SID is not working for me. I figured I could start practicing my free motion using these various tools. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
I have used the pounce pads with the regular chalk in them, but I use them in the LA and mark as I go. I have never used the ultimate powder that you have to iron to make go away. I understand it only comes in white so you would only be able to use it on a dark colored quilt. Contrary to what the name says, you don't "pounce" the pad, you rub it over the stencil like using a chalkboard eraser.
Really, my favorite marking tool is the blue water soluble pen. It has always washed out for me and leaves a bright easy to see mark on most colors of fabric except really dark darks. For those I use white chalk.
Really, my favorite marking tool is the blue water soluble pen. It has always washed out for me and leaves a bright easy to see mark on most colors of fabric except really dark darks. For those I use white chalk.
#5
Gee, I'm sorry to hear that your surgery did not go well.
I've used the Golden Threads paper. I stacked layers of it, traced my design on the top layer and then sewed through the stack with a large top needle with no thread. Then I pinned it to the quilt and FMQed over the holes. I could also have swiped across it with a pounce but didn't because the white powder would not have shown on the light colors of the quilt. It worked pretty well but you have to be sure that you remove all pins from under the paper as you can't see them well through the paper. (As me how I know!! )
I've also used Glad Press n Seal. It kind of sticks to the fabric (though I pinned on the edges just in case). Then I drew my design on it. You could lay it over a stencil and trace onto the Press n Seal and then put it on the fabric. I liked this better than the Golden Threads paper since I could see through it. I wouldn't use it for a very dense design but it would work well for geometric or large sized stipples. It pulled away pretty well and where it stuck under the stitches, I used tweezers to pull it out.
Lastly, one of my quilting instructors said that if you lightly spritz your quilt top with water before "pouncing", the chalk will adhere a bit better. Removal is not affected.
Good luck and have fun.
I've used the Golden Threads paper. I stacked layers of it, traced my design on the top layer and then sewed through the stack with a large top needle with no thread. Then I pinned it to the quilt and FMQed over the holes. I could also have swiped across it with a pounce but didn't because the white powder would not have shown on the light colors of the quilt. It worked pretty well but you have to be sure that you remove all pins from under the paper as you can't see them well through the paper. (As me how I know!! )
I've also used Glad Press n Seal. It kind of sticks to the fabric (though I pinned on the edges just in case). Then I drew my design on it. You could lay it over a stencil and trace onto the Press n Seal and then put it on the fabric. I liked this better than the Golden Threads paper since I could see through it. I wouldn't use it for a very dense design but it would work well for geometric or large sized stipples. It pulled away pretty well and where it stuck under the stitches, I used tweezers to pull it out.
Lastly, one of my quilting instructors said that if you lightly spritz your quilt top with water before "pouncing", the chalk will adhere a bit better. Removal is not affected.
Good luck and have fun.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 319
I love the Pounce pad and bought their “Full Line Stencil” brand of stencils. My daughter says it’s cheating because I like the stencils, but I use my sewing machine and feel more confident with them as my guide.
I’ve used their Deer in the Woods, Bone Yard with paw print border, Border Assortment 3, and Score of Four 4” size, patterns with great results. The Daisy Border, and Birds on a Wire were also cute and easy to follow.
Some people have fabric stashes. I’m starting a stash of stencils.
I’ve used their Deer in the Woods, Bone Yard with paw print border, Border Assortment 3, and Score of Four 4” size, patterns with great results. The Daisy Border, and Birds on a Wire were also cute and easy to follow.
Some people have fabric stashes. I’m starting a stash of stencils.
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
I am sorry your caracract surgery did not go well. My mother's didn't either and now she has decided not to get the other one done. You hear people raving about not even wearing glasses and sadly that is not always the case. (((Hugs)))
Depending on how bad your sight is, will determine what you decide to use. The Golden Thread paper with a nice thick line drawn would be highly visible. The tear-a-way preprinted quilt patterns a little less visible but you could go over the lines to make them darker. It will also depend on what fabric you used for the best marking method. For marking directly on light fabrics I like the blue wash out markers. On dark fabrics I like my Fons and Porter white chalk pump pencil. I did have to wash my quilt o completely remove the marks.
Depending on how bad your sight is, will determine what you decide to use. The Golden Thread paper with a nice thick line drawn would be highly visible. The tear-a-way preprinted quilt patterns a little less visible but you could go over the lines to make them darker. It will also depend on what fabric you used for the best marking method. For marking directly on light fabrics I like the blue wash out markers. On dark fabrics I like my Fons and Porter white chalk pump pencil. I did have to wash my quilt o completely remove the marks.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Posts: 391
I have used the pounce pads with the regular chalk in them, but I use them in the LA and mark as I go. I have never used the ultimate powder that you have to iron to make go away. I understand it only comes in white so you would only be able to use it on a dark colored quilt. Contrary to what the name says, you don't "pounce" the pad, you rub it over the stencil like using a chalkboard eraser.
Really, my favorite marking tool is the blue water soluble pen. It has always washed out for me and leaves a bright easy to see mark on most colors of fabric except really dark darks. For those I use white chalk.
Really, my favorite marking tool is the blue water soluble pen. It has always washed out for me and leaves a bright easy to see mark on most colors of fabric except really dark darks. For those I use white chalk.
#9
You don't really need to rub pounce in. Just a nice swipe across with a sponge brush works. But I've found after trying pounce, stencils, freezer paper, etc. that I like to use the friction pens that iron out. I only make suggestive curves for feathers -- for example.
#10
May I make a suggestion? I have a couple books that are completely about the quilting process. They are pretty darn thick explaining all about machine quilting and the different ways it can be done. I hope you have time to sit and read a little, it makes all the difference in the world when you are a newbie quilter. There is a lot about battings, threads, feet, tension, marking, designing... excetera!
The one I like the best is Quilting Solutions. It is the manual they use for the quilting classes my friend took. I just read it and tried the exersizes and learned the basics that way. There is also books, patterns, CD's and even flash drives available for quilting designs that are computer generated to your machine, that are a big help. I have used more than one of these together to finish a quilt. I also have used my french curve and a frixon pen to mark a quilt.
I think the designing of the quilting can be just as much fun as the making of the tops. It is fun to try and figure out what the quilt "needs" and then couple it with what you want it to have.
The only thing I didn't like about the pounce was the lines are so dang thick and I think kinda messy. And like everyone says it is white, so I have trouble seeing it on light colored fabric.
I hope this helps you some. Just remember.. be kind to yourself and realize it is all a learning experiance. Start on something small and work up to the larger quilts.
Red
The one I like the best is Quilting Solutions. It is the manual they use for the quilting classes my friend took. I just read it and tried the exersizes and learned the basics that way. There is also books, patterns, CD's and even flash drives available for quilting designs that are computer generated to your machine, that are a big help. I have used more than one of these together to finish a quilt. I also have used my french curve and a frixon pen to mark a quilt.
I think the designing of the quilting can be just as much fun as the making of the tops. It is fun to try and figure out what the quilt "needs" and then couple it with what you want it to have.
The only thing I didn't like about the pounce was the lines are so dang thick and I think kinda messy. And like everyone says it is white, so I have trouble seeing it on light colored fabric.
I hope this helps you some. Just remember.. be kind to yourself and realize it is all a learning experiance. Start on something small and work up to the larger quilts.
Red
Last edited by RedGarnet222; 08-08-2012 at 07:25 PM.
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