I am new to quilting. What is the best pencil to use to mark my quilting design on the quilt top? I used a EQ Quilting washout pencil and I can not remove the lines. It has turned my quilting thread pink, also. I also tried a water soluble blue pen and it keeps coming back after I spray water on it. My quilt is almost ruined. :cry: What can I do?

Don't give up on getting those watermarks out of there yet. Some of the ones I've tried in the past needed a good soaking in cold water to vanish completely. You can't use a very heavy hand when drawing with them, so I learned that the hard way.

I use the marking pens made by Dritz. Sold at WalMart (and many other places, I'm sure.) I've tried others but wasn't particularly impressed.
The water soluble pen marks disappear almost immediately after getting a good spritz of water - even after I've ironed over them. (BUT the instructions for both pens say to NOT iron over them, so I'm not recommending you do that unless you're as willing to gamble on such things as I am.)
I live in Coastal Georgia, where the air is almost always at least a little humid. I've found the air soluble marks disappear within one hour if I use a light enough hand. They've never lasted more than a few hours - and never as long as 24 to 72 - even if I iron over them. One good spritz of water and they're definitely gone, gone, gone.

The Dritz web site offers a few hints if you're having problems getting your marks to go away.

http://www.dritz.com/askus/faq/faq_05.php

Don't despair, gjs. If you haven't finished the quilt yet, just keep going. When you're done, I wouldn't be surprised if one good frolic in the washing machine with any mild detergent solves the problem.

If for some reason you can't get them out no matter what you try, then get some paint pens and turn those "mistakes" into artistic embellishments. Nobody but you need ever know the truth. ;-)

I use the water soluable pens on light fabrics and chalk pencils on dark fabrics. When I have completely finished a quilt I run it through the washing machine with no soap to be sure all of the marks are out.

Somewhere I heard that using soap will set the marks. I don't know if that is true or not.

Judy

My favorite is Clover white marking pen for dark material. I also like to use Clover chalk pencils. I have used other brands of white marking pens but Clover brand works the best. I hope this helps. NJBarbara

Kaye Wood recomended using a little baking soda in a spray bottle of water. This worked great for me. Wash your quilt after doing this. I have also had luck in hanging a damp quilt outside in the sun light.

Did you heat set the markings, perhaps? I've found if I spray with water teh markings before pressing anything, they come out easier.

You might want try to a little lemon juice spritz on the marks you are having trouble with and hang it where the sun can get to it. I've had really wonderful results of using this method, without harm to the quilt or the fabrics. You must rinse with clear water after the marks are erased to get the juice out, but that's a minor price.

I use the Dritz water soluable pencils, also. They are good for my arthritic hands. :<)
Sharon

I agree that the blue marks may come out with deeper soaking or when you wash the quilt. I loved the precision of the "washable" thin pencil lead - but I had trouble with it not washing out, too. I do love working with the smooth slate rods that can be sharpened in a pencil sharpener. It marks smoothly, stays on better than chalk, and wears or washes out with no trouble: you can put in experimental lines, then change your mind later. You can't mark an entire quilt safely, because with handling it wears off, but the line is fine, and "erasable". I also like it because the slate comes in different colors, from light to dark, and it is wonderfully smooth and cool to the touch. Lovely to use.

I like the dritz and also the clover air soluable pens. I've had really good luck with using these and what doesn't disappear on it's own have all washed out after the quilt is completed. I think when you complete your quilt and wash it all will be well.
I've never seen the slate rods....will have to look to for them.
Gay

My favorite on dark fabric is a thin piece of bar soap. It works great, can be shaped easily, and definitely washes out. I save my soaps when they get thin, let them dry real good. And they are free! 8)

I've always read of using soap but never have tried it, Norah. I'll have to give that a try. I haven't found anything that marks really well on dark fabrics yet and I know that would.
I love your signature saying there!!!
Gay

I just realized that I have no bar soap in this house at all! In the shower I use that body wash, next to the sink I use liquid and in the kitchen the same. I also used to use bar soap for a pincushion for my safety pins for ease in pin basting. Never thought about the tool I was giving up by switching to liquid soap.

hi, i have used soap slices for years. when i was a kid i don't think they even had marking pencils..lol.. for all you liquid soap users, maybe you can buy a small soap from a motel and use it in the shower untill it gets thin...i think it is the best and costs nothing.. also for all you sewers, if your sewing on fleece, soap is the best marking tool and it shows up great..i'm making a fleece jacket now and the soap is the only thing that i can see..suzanne

Hi,

I have been using the Roxanne's Quilter's Choice pencils - the grey ones - for many years. It washes out and you can see the pencil mark on dark and light colors.

Shari

I found, on dark fabric, a left-over piece of soap (one that is very small and with sharp edges) marks as well as any marking device I have purchases. If the edge begins to dull I take my scissor blade or a sharp knife and sharpen it just as you would sharpen a pencil. Try it - you might like it.
Irene

Hi Boo: I will save you some of my old soap bars :)
Irene

Irene, no need. :lol: I have just about everything known to man for marking. I sometimes use a hera marker, which puts a crease to follow. For dark fabrics, like black, I found the neatest white pen at the shop. It doesn't show immediately but within a few seconds it leave a very thin white line that washes out or even dampens out with a rag. I do appreciate that someone is looking out for me! :D

Thank you - I will try it.

Shari

To remove the blue marks - there is a toy item available at wall mart called an aqua doodle. 2 refillable pens for about $4.80. Get them and fill them with a mixture of 1 Cup distilled water and add 1 tsp of baking soda. I put this mix in an empty water bottle and labeled it. I doesn't spoil and you won't need much. Now just go over the lines and they are gone. This doesn't push the blue into the batting. I've tested this procedure for the machine quilters group and it works! If you are desperate and don't want to go get the pens give a q-tip a try. This way you don't have to soak the quilt.
Happy Quilting - Sally

Thanks for the tip, Sally. I haven't had any trouble YET removing the blue marks, but you never know when!!!!

I have been using a soap stone for dark fabrics. The kind machinist use for marking metal .

I have used 'chips' of soap to mark on dark fabrics. It works very well & usually brushes right off. The best part is that you know it will wash off! :lol:

For pen marks that keep coming back, hydrogen peroxide will get them out permanently without damaging your material.

hydrogen peroxide is also good for removing blood spots!

(Something I learned from our veterinarian! Don't ask!)

I found that the best marking pencil on dark fabrics is Miracle Chalk. They have a pounce pad for the stencils, but also have a wonderful "crayon" and then the "tailor's chalk" shaped ones. They come out with a puff from the steam iron and they definately stay in through handling. (the crayon and tailor's chalk better than the pounce) I hae the same issue with no bar soap in the house and I never get to go anywhere to stay at a hotel. :D

I recently purchased General's pastel chalk pencils. They work great on all fabrics and have a pencil sharpener inside the box. I also use the wash out blue markers sold at Walmart (Mark B Gone). They last longer than other brands. I did have a problem with some marks not coming out of my last quilt, but I will try soaking it again in the washer. I will also try soap slivers. Sounds like a great idea.
Does anyone else find it hard to hand quilt through fusible batting?

We have every kind of soap available in this house! We must be old school, yo! We still use bar soap, too! I love DOVE! and Olay! we have shower gel, body wash, and you name it! If it makes bubbles and smells good...you'll find it here.
Another good "soap sliver" use is to throw it in the washing machine if you're outta the good stuff! LOL!

Yes, I have a machine but I love to hand quilt ....and I too find it hard with some of the fusable webbing. Glad I am not alone>
Jean