marking quilts
 

I would like to know when your top is made & you want to mark it for quilting like using stencils do you mark it before you put the batting & backing on ? thank You , shrabar

I have always marked it after it has been sandwiched.

I marked my last one after it was sandwiched.. I did have to move quite a few pins but overall it was much easier to handle with the batting and backing in place than it would have been if I'd tried to mark just the top.

I mark it before I layer it. The markings show up better if they were drawn with the harder surface when there is no sandwhich yet.

I mark it after I sandwich, but this is the most difficult way to mark a quilt and don't reccommend. It's mainly because I forget to mark it beforehand.

Marking the top before making the quilt sandwich would certainly be easier; but for some reason, I usually end up marking after I have made the quilt sandwich. In fact, sometimes I quilt everything but the borders and then mark them.

I often mark before loading, but it depends on if I have a plan ahead of time or not- if using stencils & chalk *pounce* I mark as I go. it depends on what I am using to mark...chalk brushes off- so I use it as I go- if using my ceramic pencils I mark ahead of time when I can lay it out on the table (hard surface) & draw nice thin light lines....just depends on what you use & what is easiest for you- if pin basting I think dealing with the pins in the way would (could) be an issue- but if thread basting, or spray- then marking after might be ok- ...do what you want...everyone has their own methods.

Really good question. Always wondered what others do.

I mark before making the quilt sandwich - the pen markings show up better marking on a hard surface.

I mark the border as I am pinning the quilt. It is a good time to do your calculations that you need to do in order to fit the stencil properly into the length of your border. Good luck and take your time. If your border is dark, I always like to use the Clover white chalk liner. The white chalk comes off easily but stay away from the BLUE !! It does NOT come over EVER !!!