Help! Solution to marking a quilt!
 

I have been trying to mark my flimsy for quilting. It is a scrap quilt and there are lots of color variations. The only thing I have found that shows up is an orange chalk marker. The chalk is thick enough that it makes a line I can see. I use Dritz Chalk Cartridge. The difficulty is they only sell replacement chalk with a set of colors and there is only one orange piece. I have to pay over $8.00 to get the replacement chalk.

Does anyone have any ideas? Frixxion pens don't work because they are too thin so I have to go back and forth and back and forth. I can't use a chaco (rolling) chalk marker because I'm doing a Bishop's Fan design and the markers won't make a curve.

Would tailor's chalk work, do you think? Or any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

I like using ultra washable markers from Crayola. Lots of colors to choose from, and, so far, all have washed out really well for me.
be careful with the tailor's chalk. some of them have wax as a base, and are very hard to wash out. those are meant to mark pieces in the seam allowances, etc. where the marks don't show in the finished garment.

testing everything is always a good idea.

Another vote for washable markers.

Are you hand or machine quilting? I work mostly with scrap quilts and have vision problems. Most people don't want to go to the fuss and extra work but with machine quilting I often draw my designs onto parchment paper I get at the dollar store (1x25 feet), sew through the whole thing and then rip out the paper. There's some disadvantages to this, one is that pencil and/or pen may transfer through to white thread and the little shreds of paper go everywhere, but it gives me the finish I want but can't see well enough to do.

That sounds like a wonderful idea...I will have to keep it in mind for my next quilt!

I do love the washable Crayola markers, but the problem with using them is that you have to machine wash the quilt when you are done. Many people who gift their quilts don't want to wash them. They prefer the look (for gifting) of an unwashed quilt. What are your thoughts on that?

I would also be very concerned that orange chalk will not wash out. I only use white chalk or the blue water soluble pens, and I prefer the chalk. I have some washable Crayola markers and will try them out someday.

I always wash a quilt before gifting it. Otherwise, it will look different after it is washed and will surprise the recipient, thinking they did something wrong, liked it before, not after. I put in a note that the quilt has already been washed and dried with no special care, so just treat it like any other piece of laundry. I think if a recipient thinks they need to do special things to a quilt chances are it will live in a closet or be given away. I use crayons ultra washable markers, always test first, and have never had a problem. I also baste with Elmers washable school glue, drizzled on straight from the bottle, not diluted and sprayed, and not painted on with a brush. That always washes out too.

some colored chalk doesn't wash out well--I have trouble with both yellow and green. And had green Ultra Clean Markers not wash out either--but the owner said she'd starched it and that might have been the issue. I also use just plain white (steer clear of dust-free as it has a wax in it) chalk most of the time. recently at a machine quilters guild meeting we talked about using Golden Threads paper when needing to mark white fabrics with very specific designs.

I usually wash my quilts before giving them away.....I make mainly quilts that are meant to be used and I want the person to know they can use it....so I toss it in the washing machine just like would my clothes....and yep.....into the dryer too on the normal cycle I use. This also gives me a chance to check that I did OK when making the quilt and that colors ran as I don't always prewash my fabric. I find people are more likely to actually use my quilt and not keep it in a closet when pre-washed and dried in a dryer and I tell them that I did so.....Of course if it was an art quilt and meant to hang on a wall.....I would not wash it.....washing also removes chemicals and softens the quilt somewhat.....

I love General's White "Charcoal" pencil for dark fabrics. It's not chalk. It sharpens to a very nice point. It says on very well, and brushes off with a lint brush or erases with a good eraser.

You can get them at Michael's and Hobby Lobby, or your local art supply store.

I love the Crayon markers. Have never had a problem with them washing out. I also use Color Catchers as a extra safety step.

I used that very same orange chalk on a quilt recently. Very difficult to wash out! But, like you, it was the only thing that I could see on the colors of the quilt on which I was working. I would suggest, if you continue with the orange, take some Dawn dish detergent and soak that into your orange markings and let sit for a good while before washing. I had to wash the king size quilt 3-4 times and still scrub some of those orange lines with a toothbrush (old) and dawn before I got the worst of it out of the quilt.

I like the idea of the parchment paper and quilting over it. Might try that next time.

I like to use soap slivers on dark fabrics. On lights I use a SewFine pencil in yellow or green.

So far, I have been able to remove marks with my squirt bottle and a bit of paper towel. No need to wash. I found this out when I decided to change a few lines after marking & just wanted to erase a bit. Of course, with lots of marking, washing would be faster and easier.

I'm so glad you posted on this subject as I have been looking for a marking tool that really works. I started FMQ about 2 years ago and so far all I have done is the rambling stipple patterns because I didn't have a reliable way to mark a pattern. One thing I know is to not blindly mark the whole quilt until you know for sure the markings will come out, don't ask me how I know this. I think I'll try the washable Crayon markers next, but I'll test it on a scrap piece first.