Mark on finished quilt - what would you do?
 

I noticed a small mark on the front of this quilt as I was finishing the binding. I have a pen pointing to it in the picture below. It's pretty small. It looks like ink. I do have a pen in my quilting area and I try to be very careful with it but who knows. I washed the quilt already. I pretreated the spot and it seems to have helped but I'm not sure. I hesitate to proceed because I don't want to damage the quilt.

This will be sold at a fundraising event. I could point out the spot to the organizers before the auction.

What would you do?? I'm at a loss.

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I would ignore it. Doing anything with degrade the fabric and may make the problem bigger and more obvious on the yellow solid fabric.

I don't think anyone will notice. And since it is charity I would not think you will get any complaints if they do see it. If it really bothers you is it in a spot you can put a label?

i don't think anyone would be able to find it if you asked them to inspect the quilt

Whew!! I was sort of hoping you would say that. To be honest, when I went to take the picture to post I had to look at the entire quilt twice before I even found the spot again.

I'd rather not put a label over it, it would really change the look of the quilt. It's near one of the corners. That's the only way I was able to find it to take the picture, I remembered it was near a corner.

If it is that difficult to spot with you KNOWING it is there, no one will notice. But I get what you mean--you wanted it pristine!

Much a do over nothing. My eyes are pretty good and I really had to look hard to see what you're even talking about. No need to notify anyone. I honestly don't think anyone is going to notice. What ever you've done has worked. Nice bright happy charity quilt! Have a great day!

You folks are making me feel so much better! Thanks!

It's really almost invisible & I think it would be fine to leave it as is. If you're pretty sure it's ink, the best way to get out ink is with hairspray. Just spray a little bit on the dry quilt in that area & gently rub (either rub against the quilt itself or rub with a soft white cloth). When all the ink is gone, you can wash the quilt -- or just spot wash the area with a teeny bit of laundry soap & cold water to remove the sticky hairspray. Works every time & I've yet to see it damage any type of cotton fabric.

Is there a mark there??? Seriously, I see absolutely nothing wrong with it and would not worry about it in the least.

I could hardly see anything--you did a great job, just do not worry about it.

It's hard to imagine anyone noticing this, but point it out to the organizers if you think it will be on your mind.

The yellow is a poly/cotton blend fabric from a thrift store sheet. Does that change your advice?

I like your quilt. The color is very calming. The mark is barely noticeable so that isn't a problem at all.

I tend to agree kenmoregal. This tiny mark will not be an issue at the auction. Nice work by the way on the quilt!

Ha!! Thanks! You guys are super. I'm done thinking about this. I've put the quilt away for the auction and I'll move on to the next project. You have eased my mind.

What mark?

The spot was very difficult to see even though you pointed it out to us. Therefore, I would do nothing. By the way, I love your quilt. The pale yellow fabric really makes the fabric you used to make your blocks pop.

I agree with others. I wouldn't do anything.
I really like your quilt. It is cheerful yet isn't too bright.

It is such a faint mark that I was hard-pressed to even see it. If you use any experimental product on it, odds are there could be a big disaster for nothing. Just leave it.

Nope. Only would be an issue if there was wool or silk in it, it was a batik or was home dyed. Won't hurt it, but it's really only necessary if it's going to bug you. I know I personally am unreasonably exacting on myself when it comes to guild/charity auction quilts. It's probably unhealthy, but I'm not likely to change anytime soon. :p

Truly, it's not a problem & although it would bug me as the quilt donor (we all have our crazy idiosyncrasies), I wouldn't even expect it to be mentioned if I were the buyer.

Butterfly
 

I would sew on a small butterfly appliqué over the spot- turn it at an angle and it will be perfect. It's a joke with my friends, that if they see a butterfly on my quilt, it's a cover up. But it works. And actually makes it cutier!! :)

I don't see a thing! If it really bothers you try Bree's suggestion, hairspray does work. Having said that, I still don't see a spot and don't think anyone else will!!

spot on quilt
 

Hair spray will sometimes take out ball point ink. If you use it you will have to wash the quilt afterwards. I would just leave it alone. The spot is very insignifcant. Diane C.

I don't think it would have been standing out if you hadn't pointed it to us - lol - it is a LOVELY quilt!

I'm with those who say "what spot", and as another has said, an applique or small bit of embroidery can cover and enhance at the same time. When my children were growing up, most of their clothing and bedspreads had applique or a small embroidered animal, flower, or tree scattered on them. You really are sweating the small stuff.

***
*** Pretend it is not there. Will probably wash out.
***

Thanks for the most recent replies! I am definitely doing nothing. I'm glad to hear so many of you think it's too small to worry about.

I can't imagine someone receiving this nice quilt, would nit pik....I sure wouldn't. If it bothers them, then let them fix it! I'd ignore it.......

Don't say anything, no one will even see this small mark and It will wash out the first time they wash it.. Beautiful quilt..and you quilting is wonderful, your stitches are all the same! Did you do FMQ? just so perfect for sure.

I did FMQ on my DSM, thanks for the nice words.

Or a little bee!!

KG2 - I think you have this resolved now, but just for future reference, I'm a huge fan of "Grandma's Secret Spot Remover". Someone at a Hancock's Fabrics told me about it years ago and it's great. I somehow got a large black spot on a quilt I made for my gran-in-law, right on a pale green bit of cotton. Ink of some kind, but not sure where it came from or how it got there. I dabbed on GSSR in desperation, let it sit a few minutes and tossed it into the wash and the spot was removed entirely - no damage, nothing. I couldn't even tell where it used to be.

I've used it for blood, wine, and ball-point pen now, on a variety of fabrics (including a deep red polo shirt, I was SURE that one would fade), and always the mark is totally gone and no fading or damage to be seen. I love that stuff! Works much better than Shout or those Tide stain pens.

Thanks Sewnoma. I will have to buy some of that!

I'm with most. I would leave it because it is hardly noticeable.

I would be fine with such a small, tiny "mark." I am thankful to be able to see with my one eye. Quilt looks fine to me.

Bree123 is right. If it is ink, hairspray will get it out.

A mountain over a molehill! Just ignore it because I am sure it will be totally unnoticed. I think that quilt is very pretty and perfect for the purpose you intended.

Don't worry about it, I had to look and look and didn't see it, the pen was there but still not noticeable. Some one will love this perfect blanket.