susanwilley

Do you mark the quilt top with a quilting design before you layer it or after?

toomanycats

I mark it, if I mark at all, after I have it layered and pinned it. I suppose you could mark it before but would have to be careful if chalk that it doesn't come off during the pinning.

BellaBoo

I think you mark it before, seems it would be easier that way.

Rose L

I mark after layering. I use a light pencil for my marking and then I wash each quilt when it's completely finished. I recently bought some of the Pilot Frixion pens that were discussed here a couple days ago, I'm going to test them on a bunch of scraps. I'm hoping the marks come out well with an iron because my eyes are getting bad and I can hardly see the pencil marks anymore, lol!

Rose L

I mark before because the fabric can stretch out of shape quite a bit by dragging a pencil across it. If there are pins in my way when I go to mark, I just move them to a different spot temporarily.

NDQuilts

I mark before layering. It's easier to have a firm surface. I don't use chalks because id have to remarkarbe portions. Instead I choose washable leads.

happyscrappy

if it is a more detailed design, mark it before. like ND says, much easier on a firm surface.

Jan in VA

Either/or.
Both.
Jan in VA

Borntohandquilt

I always mark after layering. I often use needlemarking and the marks come out much better on a softer surface. Because I "mark-as-I-go", starting in the middle of the quilt, I don't have to do the complete markings at once.

susanwilley

Thank you everyone!