kiffie2413

I also use soap slivers. So far they haven't done a thing to my sewing machines.
Kif

NJ Quilter

I use either a plain old #2 mechanical pencil on light fabrics or a Bohin mechanical pencil with white lead for dark fabrics. So far have no issues with being able to see either of these on the respective fabrics and have not had issues with them washing out. You could also try plain old white chalk as well. Saw on another thread where someone used that by sharpening with a makeup pencil sharpener.

kathy

if you use tailor's chalk be sure it's not the wax one!

Dollyo

I use Golden Threads paper for quilting some designs. Usually, I just draw the design on the paper w/ultra washable Crayola markers, then stitch thru it. I lightly spray the back of the paper with adhesive spray + a few pins to hold it in place.

Kntry

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'll try the soap since I have that at the house. I'll also try using tissue paper since I have that.

I'm hand quilting the entire quilt so I don't know how the paper will hold up but it's worth a try. I tried using Press n Seal last night but the design didn't show up on that either.

I tried the regular pencil but it doesn't show up on the dark fabric.

This has proven to be a bigger challenge than quilting. LOL

Prism99

I believe the suggestions for using paper are meant for machine quilting, not hand quilting.

kiffie2413

Forgot to say, your quilt is beautiful!
Kif

feline fanatic

Pretty quilt. Can you be more specific as to which fabric you are having a problem with? Is it your sashing or is it the fans? I am thinking your solid background will be fairly easy to see marks on.

Depending on how complex your stencil is you could try using freezer paper to make a template to quilt next to. This would only work for a fairly simple design like clamshell or egg and dart, heart shape or leaf shape. You can make a template out of your freezer paper, iron it on to your quilt, hand stitch next to it then peel it up and iron it down again. You could also do this with shelf liner paper that is sticky on one side, but don't leave it on the quilt for any length of time (like more than a day) as I would not trust the adhesive to not come up all the way if left on for any length of time. I am assuming you are not hand quilting in a frame with this suggestion as well.

dd

Try Crayola washable markers. They come in lots of colors, affordable and wash out easily. I'm sure you'll find a color that will show up. I have used 2 and 3 different colors on 1 quilt before so it would show up well.

Kntry

Thank you for the compliments. I've been sewing since before I was a teenager but never quilted. I've been working on this one off and on for 6 years, in between renovating 3 houses!

The pencils won't even show up on the lighter background.

No, I doubt I'll use the hoop. The quilt is too bulky.

I'm going to try the Crayola markers first and if that doesn't work, I'll try the freezer paper.