Hi guys, forgive me for asking what is probably a stupid questions BUT I am asking anyway...lol. I am quilting the top that I posted about earlier for DH grandmother with the lighthouses and in the large center block I would like to stitch something a little different... I was thinking maybe a heart or perhaps an anchor but I would never be able to do this free hand. Is there another way to do this? If not, I may just divide the large block and stitch a nice block design in it.... TIA for your expertise!

Use stencils to trace the pattern on to your top. Depending on the color you are marking, air-erase, water soluble ink, or chalk may be good for marking.

I've also used line drawings on paper, then stitched over them, but getting the extra paoer bits picked out can be tedious.

i like to use stencils and the Ultimate Quilters Pounce. its a pad with powder inside and you rub it across the stencil to mark the quilt. it comes off with a hot iron after you're done stitching the quilt.

I use stencils and water soluble marker. Sometimes I use the quilt paper but like Moonpi said the paper bits do get a bit tedious.

Thanks so much, this sounds like something even I can do! If I get brave I'll post a pic when I'm done... :?:

Don't be shy or afraid, we haven't had quilt police here in a lonnnnnnnng time!

Hugs,
Sharon

Stencils are great,but if you don't have any, you can make your own hearts and draw lines from corner to corner diagonal and place hearts in each triangle that you make.I have done this for large squares and placed smaller hearts inside the larger ones. Will be glad to post picture if you want. The only way to learn is to ask, so ask away anytime!


Ninnie

I love stencils. I can get them at my fabric store. I use a pounce pad with them. If I can't find what I want I draw my own and trace around them.

i use a chalk mechanical pencil. i forget the name of it. you can get refills in all colors. i brush off the extra and wet off the rest. (it says iron off but i don't) the pencil is red and blue. you can see it in the nancy's notions e-catalog now. it's on sale. use it freehand or with a stencil.

I am glad I opened and read this thread! I always wondered how you got the patterns without a machine that automatically does them. I am dope....duh you stencil a pattern onto the fabric and follow it with your sewing machine!!! And here I thought you just had to be amazingly talented at free-handing those shapes!! Hahaha i am such a newbie!!