Marking Patterns on Quilts
 

I was wondering what method of marking patterns on quilts are used. I've found that I don't do well with using plastic templates, but do well by marking the quilt top, and then slowly following those markings to do the quilt process.

But using heat erasable pens is a pain. Why? It seems these pens aren't as easy to use on fabric as they are on paper. I usually have to go over the lines I draw several times before I can see the line well enough to follow.

I am guessing chalk is probably the preferred method, but chalk is very difficult to remove from the fabric, unless you wash things after quilting. I have a big fear of doing all this hard piecing, basting and quilting, only to have the washing machine tear up the quilt into shreds and pieces, and on top of all of that, shrink the whole thing into an ugly sight..

I use cotton thread to do my piecing, and all the other parts of making a quilt. I am wondering if maybe polyester thread might be better, as I am guessing it won't fall apart as easily as cotton does. Of course, I really don't have much experience yet, so I am here to get comments and suggestions before I delve into my next quilt.

I use white chalk to mark on medium to dark fabrics. Coloured chalks can be difficult to remove. There are many different methods for marking a quilt pattern.
1. Put a fabric on the back with a nice design and quilt from the back following the fabric design.
2.Golden Thread paper is meant to be stitched through and removed after quilting.
3.Quilt an all over design that doesn’t need to be marked.
4. Use ruler foot and rulers to do designs.
5. Some QB members like Crayola washable markers.
6.An old method was to use white soap slivers to mark a top etc....

I prefer the Frixion markers (they have a medium fine point) for marking my quilt designs.

I don't usually mark the whole design - only if I haven't used the design before and I'm trying it out. Usually, I just mark "landmarks," like the circle in a feather wreath and maybe the outside and inside limits for the feathers.

This was the way that I planned my most recent finish.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...182-622913.jpg

The markers last a long time if you keep them in ziplock bags when you're not working with them. :)

Edited to add: I always wash my quilts with several color catchers after I make them - they get softer and all the starch and manufacturing crap comes out of the fabric in a good wash.

I don't want to make a quilt for someone and give it to them "pristine," only to have a seam come apart or a patch to bleed into the nearby light fabric.

If a quilt looks better flatter, rather than the crinkly appearance after laundering, then I just iron it to bring back the "new fabric" look. :)

I've tried a number of methods of marking and the one I like the very best is the Crayola ultrathin washable markers. Certainly the price is right and they are commonly available for purchase in an assortment of colors. They leave a nice mark, stay until you are ready to be done with them. I have not had any problem with them not washing out. I suppose the only thing I might not like about them is if I didn't want to launder the quilt when I've finished the quilt. Keep in mind that the markings don't come out with a spritz of water--must be actually laundered.

I usually straight line quilt or simply use a medium size meander on all my quilts. Once in a great while a loop-de-loop design. None of these require marking for me. However when I do have to mark something special I will use Crayola Washable fine point markers. Color catchers in the washer and all is good.

I don't usually mark since I rarely do anything other than basic meandering or loop de loops, but when I do mark, I use chalk and don't find it hard to come out, in fact, just the opposite, so I only mark a small area at a time.

I just do FMQ and never mark a design, so I never have a problem.

The reason I wish to mark out designs is that I have no visualisation of of the pattern locked in my brain. Just looking at a picture doesn't put it from the brain to the hands. Maybe if I have done three or four quilts with a particular design would then allow me to do it from memory free motion. I can't even duplicate a simple loop over and over without it looking terrible.

I found that plastic stencils work really well for me. I use Crayola washable markers with them and have had success that way. If I need white I use chalk.
As to thread- I use poly or cotton.

question= do you use detergent to wash out markers or just water the first time?

Just water or the washer takes them out. I love those markers. A real game changer for me.

First of all, I take it you plan on NEVER washing any of your quilts?? 😳

Second of all, if you use good quality fabrics, threads, and batting, and take the time to sew all seams securely and quilt it properly, your quilt will not "be torn into shreds and pieces" by washing. I'm flummoxed by this assumption and am curious as to why you think this would happen? Some shrinkage is normal and actually desirable to a lot of people, but if you want minimal shrinkage, then plan ahead and pre-shrink all your supplies before assembling the quilt.

I would not use the Frixion (heat-erasable) pens. There have been many, many reports of the ink not coming out, staining or bleaching the fabric even after washing. The manufacturer of these pens does not recommend use on fabrics. There are several products on the market that are designed specifically for marking on quilt tops: air-erasable pens, water-soluble pens, and chalk. A lot of show quilters use the water soluble pens, so that might be your best option.

eta: You can always use a sliver of soap to mark on darker quilts, but then there is that pesky washing thing....

I have the same trouble. I draw the pattern over and over either on paper or on a dry erase board to get it into my head and my "muscle memory" and even then, I draw the design on my quilt, sometimes. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

I buy doodle pads from Walmart and I practice drawing my quilting patterns on them until I feel secure enough to sew it onto my quilt. Sometime it takes me 20 times or more to get it down to where it is more or less close to the pattern. It is never perfect but then neither are my quilts.

I have used an air erase pen for light colors and a chalk pencil for dark colors. I also like Pounce pad to use with stencils.

I bought a pack of newsprint paper that I can run through the printer. I print my FMQ pattern on the sheets, put them on the quilt where I want to stitch (usually useing temporary basting spray on the paper), and quilt over the paper. It rips off easily. I'll use a tweezer here and there if some of the paper doesn't come off as easily.

I hope you find a convenient method that works for you.

I've used the Crayola markers and have found that I usually have to run the item thourgh the washing machine to get it all out.

I use a mild laundry soap and wash on gentle.

I have used all kinds of markers and still do not know which is the best for me.

Quiltwoman44, Not sure, but i would think that the first wash you want to do, is the gentlest you can make it. Cold water, no detergent, or anything other than water.

I'm also interested in what answers are out there.

Caley, I wash my quilts all the time w/o pampering them and they come out fine. I use detergent, warm water, etc I've been making quilts a long time. Old quilts are a different story.

SusieQOH, That's why I hope others would talk about what they do when laundering their quilts. Many of us, myself included, are just starting out, and haven't gotten to that point. We're just trying to figure out how these fancy sewing machines work, and how to put things together.

Eventually, probably within a few months, I will have to wash the quilt on my sofa, and the table runner I made recently. I live in the high desert of southern California where you can dust in the morning, and by the afternoon it looks like you never dusted at all. I live in a 1970's house which is basically just a larger cabin (750 sq ft). So the construction techniques aren't like they are nowadays. Nothing I do slows down that dust, so everything left outside of boxes or plastic bags gets coated, and has to be washed to get rid of the dust embedded in it.

I usually have laundering in mind while I'm making a bed quilt or a throw - I want it to stand up to use and the necessary cleaning. I use only good quality fabric and strong thread, 15-16 stitches to the inch, I'm careful about seam allowances, press seams to the side whenever possible and I quilt the heck out of them when they're done.

When a quilt is finished, I use the giant front-loaders at the laundromat for big quilts - my new "water conserving" washing machine won't even get a quilt completely wet, sometimes - even on the "Deep Water Wash" or the "Bedding" setting. 🙄

When I had a front-loader, it was big and it worked great for all but the biggest quilts - I washed them on the normal cycle with regular detergent, softener and color catchers. I dried them on the normal cycle on the dryer.

My thinking is that I want to subject the quilt to the same kind of laundering as they're likely to get in their new homes.

Antique/vintage quilts are a whole 'nother story.

Everyone is different and you'll find the system that you like best. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

thepolyparrot. So many thanks. I will take all of that, and try to apply it to my next quilt. My only problem might be when purchasing fabric. I never see anything that tells me how good a certain fabric is; no thread count, nor anything else that might be indicative of the quality.

I will have to take my quilts to the coin op laundry instead of using my top loaders. About three years ago I finally had the money to put in new plumbing, an electrical setup, gray water catch basin (didn't want my septic system involved with the washing waste water), and shelter for those front loaders.

I will have to find out what colour catchers are, and purchase some. First time I've heard of them was in this thread. For laundry stuff, I have to purchase unscented stuff, as I get sneezing fits and watery eyes with anything that has strong scents in them. Guess that's a problem when you have an extremely good sense of smell.

Lots of good information coming in here. Thanks again.

In my opinion, color catchers are a waste of time and money, especially if you have an "efficient" (snort) front loader. I read all the time about how people wash things with color catchers over and over and over, and the fabric still bleeds. Just put it in a top loader FULL of hot water and a teaspoon or so of Dawn, let it sit overnight, then drain and spin. If you don't have a top loader, use your bathtub. The fabric needs plenty of hot water and front loaders don't check that box.
More detail and how-to here: https://www.colorwaysbyvicki.com/sav...g-quilt.html#/

This is a question that is hard for a beginner because fabric quality is something you learn over time. There are some big name brands out there that are very good, so I would suggest you start with those to feel your way with quality. I notice the quality of fabrics so much when they are side by side. For example, so much of the quilting cotton at Joanns fails in the face of higher end quilting fabrics. At the same time, I am just not sure every quilting project needs to be the highest quality whatever. Sometimes you just want a cute lap quilt and get on your merry way.

Wow, that does sound like a challenge. Ask away as we were all new quilters at some point! I'm still learning things and I've been quilting a long time ;)

I use the blue water eraseable pens and they always work great however don't try to use them after the quilt is sandwiched with the batting/backing. They will sometimes bleed through and not want to go away. But, if you mark your top ahead of time, they are great. Just spritz with water and they are gone.

As to washing...others have given good advice. I will say that if you don't like the "crinkle" look then lay the quilt flat to dry, don't put it in the dryer. I've had good success with this. Also, pre-wash and machine dry your fabrics.

Colour catchers catch any dye that comes from the quilt in the wash into the water and then it doesn't settle back on your quilt. It isn't to stop a quilt from bleeding, just to catch loose dye in the water. They are available at most big box and grocery stores.

Watson

[QUOTE=CaleyH;8463670]I was wondering what method of marking patterns on quilts are used. I've found that I don't do well with using plastic templates, but do well by marking the quilt top, and then slowly following those markings to do the quilt process.

I am guessing chalk is probably the preferred method, but chalk is very difficult to remove from the fabric, unless you wash things after quilting. I have a big fear of doing all this hard piecing, basting and quilting, only to have the washing machine tear up the quilt into shreds and pieces, and on top of all of that, shrink the whole thing into an ugly sight..

Does this mean you don't think people wash quilts?? I can't tell you how many times my quilts from childhood were washed and they were hand pieced. I'm 53 years old and they still look great. I don't understand the washing phobia? Please explain how a washer would ruin a quilt when it doesn't ruin your clothes which are stitched as well.

Someone has apparently thinks I am against washing quilts. I didn't say that. I first started this thread as how to mark quilts, and what people used. It went into washing, but I thought that was OK.

I said I was afraid to wash things because of what might happen. As a novice quilt maker, I don't know anything from start to finish about how things are done. Washing is a big mystery to me, as I haven't washed one. I only speculated at what might happen, not stated fact.

Those who responded put me on track to understand how things are done when washing a quilt, and the results, if you've made your quilt properly. Since my first quilt wasn't that well put together, I am cringing at what might happen to it.

And no, I never said people shouldn't wash quilts. You've got to wash things to keep them clean. I just dread my first couple of quilt washings being disasters after all that work

Maybe this thread should close, as I do not want to get into something that causes anyone to get upset. So this is probably my last comment, here in this thread.

My comment wasn't made because I was mad or upset. I just didn't understand why you would think a quilt would be shredded or fall apart. They are very strong.

This raises a question in my mind: If I'm using the Crayola washable markers, should I mark the quilt top before layering, rather than waiting til it's layered with batting and backing? I'm wondering if they, like the blue erasable pens, would soak through to the batting?

I didn't know this about Golden Thread paper! I have a roll, traced my design, then needle punched it and used pounce, trying very hard to see the freaking design. For the other two squares, I'm going to use the stitch through paper method! I know for heirloom sewing, freezer paper is used to stitch the smocked neckline into place, and also used for smocked inserts.

I use Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Fine Line Markers every time I mark on my quilts and every color has always washed out for me. I mark after basting and have never had a problem. We also use these on my kids' white shirts every year for making 100 Days of School shirts and every color has washed out of their white shirts. I always machine wash my quilts first on warm/hot with detergent (All Free and Clear) and they always wash out and never return, so mark with abandon!

I use Aurifil 50wt cotton for piecing but I'm not diehard this is the only thread I use. I pretty much use anything because my machine is happy with any thread - even serger thread (like the $1 cones) which I know some say never to use. I've never had a problem with it and I can't even break it when I try to snap it with my hands so I've never had a problem with it snapping after quilting, shredding fabric, cutting fabric, or anything. I'm a vote for use what you have and use what you want :) It's your quilt!

If I'm marking on dark fabric, a soap sliver has worked well for me and has always washed out without issue. I have a Pounce but I don't love it as it's messy but I also have stencils that require a Pounce so there's that. Love the Crayola markers.

Link so you know which ones that you can get at any big box store that sells crayons or markers: Crayola Ultra Clean Markers

Will marks come out if marking designs on Starched fabric?
 

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Will the Crayola Ultra Clean Markers come out as well if used to mark quilting designs on starched fabric?

I've always put a minimum amount of detergent in the washing machine, a color catcher or two and fabric softener when washing my Crayola marked quilts.

Heat erasable pens were designed to disappear on paper. Our guild did an experiment and found the lines can come back when the quilt gets cold. I use air erasable pens and work fast.

[QUOTE=illinois;8463730]I've tried a number of methods of marking and the one I like the very best is the Crayola ultrathin washable markers.

Me too! Recently discovered these.. . used on last three quilts. All colors washed out beautifully and completely.

I always put my fabric on gentle cycle, warm water, then in dryer till just damp, then iron carefully, before I use it in quilting or any sewing project. I wash with just a drop of laundry soap after the quilt is finished and toss in dryer, because, I like the crinkled look of it and just get it clean before gifting, as most quilts I make are gifts. Knock on wood...I've never had any issues.

The safest way to find out is to do a test on scrap fabric.

It's interesting you say that, I use the heat erasables all the time and I've never had the lines come back, I even did my own experiment and tossed a piece of fabric I had marked up then ironed into the freezer, waited an hour and went back and the lines never reappeared.

I wonder if that's a brand thing, then, maybe?