A better way to apply fmq design???
 

I love to FMQ and usually trace my design onto the quilt with the blue water soluble markers or Frixon pens. I am ready to quilt a batik quilt and know that the Frixon pens leave a white line on batiks so I marked a square with the marker, tried some pencils, etc. I can't see the design in the design of the fabric. I have used the tracing paper in the past, not my favorite way of FMQing as it takes forever to pick all those little pieces of paper out especially if you have to backtrack your stitching on your design. For some reason I think the tracing paper moves a little as you quilt too. I am thinking about water soluble stabilizer. Tracing the design on the stabilizer, quilting, and then spraying it away. It is very light weight and you can see through it so it would be easy to place. Has anyone ever tried this? I have used this stabilizer for machine embroidery, when it is washed it is gone. I don't have any but thought I would ask before I buy some and play with it.

The wash away stablizer works great, but it is $$$$. Another advantage is if you BARELY mist it, it will stick to the fabric

Sulky Solvy washes away. I have had great luck with it. Sulky also has a new opaque product called Fabric Solvy. It comes on sheets that can go thru the printer, then wash away after quilting. Supposedly it clings to the fabric, where the Sulky Solvy doesn't cling. I hope it doesn't gum up the needle, that is my main concern with it, other than the price. It was a bit pricey. I bought some, but have not tried it yet.

If the fabric is dark, just use a sliver of a bar of soap. It will easily wash out.

Crayola washable markers work really well for marking quilt designs.

i very seldom ever mark a quilt before quilting but on those rare occassions i use a chalk pencil- the one i have came from Clotilde's, is red- is refillable- came with a box of (chalk sticks) they are sharpened - so you can draw a fairly fine line, and they come in white, pink, orange, green, blue & i think yellow---i've never had a problem with them washing out & if i need to change/adjust a line i just need a damp washcloth to wash it away & redraw.

Go to the other thread in this Main group - look for the Glad Press & Seal. It is a very good idea and one I will try. I have never free motion quilted yet besides going around the motif so I am anxious to try this.

glad press and seal is great took a while for aussies to get it over --but do not stipple or closely sew through it