If you're machine quilting, try drawing your stencil on to freezer paper and then iron the freezer paper to the quilt. It can be machine sewn through with little trouble. The freezer paper tears away pretty easy, or it can be dampened to release a little easier.

Hand quilting might be tougher. I've used tissue paper with a drawn pattern on it and stitched through both quilt and paper, but I had to use a hoop to hold it all in place. Not sure how well this would work on a border, tho.

I've also had good luck using basting thread to outline the border area from the front of the quilt, then centered and drawn the stencil on the back. You'll be quilting from the backing side, so it requires a bit of care to get those front stitches looking as nice as the ones on the back. Also works best if the backing fabric's muslin or a light colored fabric easy to see the marking on. Your backing seems light enough, from the photo.

Good luck with whatever you choose to try. Your quilt is lovely!

I used the soap on the queen size I'm quilting now for the center. Then a red and blue water soluable pencil on the edge. I am hand quilting. only mark a little way at a time.

If you are machine quilting that beautiful work of art, then I'd try the roll of paper pattern. It is just beautiful, the quilt, I mean.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Thank you for all your help. I like the ida of the soap slivers but I use only liquid soap. Next time I am at a craft store I will look for the white chalk pencil and if that doesn't work I'll try the freezer paper solution. I guess I should have thought ahead chosing such a dark border but it makes the words punch out. It's going to be a wallhanging for the church.

Thank you for all your kind words of encouragement. Being a member of this forum has helped me so much!

What color backing are you using? Would it be practical to flip it over and quilt that part from behind?

There is a product called Marking Magic that is great for a dark color like this when using a stencil. It is found only at quilt shops and is in an aerosol can. You lay your stencil down on the fabric and spray the white chalk on to the stencil. It is some what adhesive and does not wipe off during the quilting process like regular chalk does. To remove it when you are done quilting, you simply mist with water. It is used by many hand quilters because it does not come off until you are ready to take it off.
Mindy

I've never heard of that product, but I'll be on the lookout for it now. It sounds wonderful. Thanks Mindy!

I just had a hand quilting lesson and learned so much! We used my border as an example for the class and found a chalk pencil the instructor had that worked like a charm. She also solved my problem with what to do with the corners. My stencil is a 'simple cable' but doesn't show a corner pattern and she showed me 2 solutions for it. It was a perfect example for the class.

Thank you all for your wonderful solutions!

Isn't it wonderful when you learn something that works so well dcurvy? I'm so glad you were able to get so much out of your class. It can be fun designing a corner motif with the border design you're using. Lots of options and often very original. I can't wait to see yours finished. :)

What type of chalk pencil did your instructor recommend to you at the class?

It's from the quilter's paddock and called a quilter's washout cloth pencil. They had 2 left in white, the shop will be closing by the end of November unfortunately.

Thanks dcurvy.