Marking white fabric
 

I try to avoid having to mark my quilts, having had disasters with supposedly erasable markers of various sorts. But now I’d like to quilt circles on a small wall hanging that’s mostly white. Can anyone recommend a marker that will definitely disappear when I’ve finished?!

How are you quilting? Hand, domestic sewing machine sit down or rack mounted? I have always had good results using the blue mark be gone markers by following the instructions and using a name brand one like Clover or Dritz. I always test first, never leave the marks on any longer than necessary and don't iron it or expose it to extremes in temperature. But in order to fully remove the ink the quilt needs to be completely submerged in water at some point.
But if you are the least bit wary about them some other options are to cut circles out of freezer paper and iron them on to the quilt surface and quilt around them and simply peel them off as go. This probably won't work with DSM sit down quilting because the way you have to scrunch up the quilt top to fit in your machine will most likely cause the freezer paper to come off before you get to it. Another option is to teach yourself how to DSM quilt using template rulers and quilt your random circles using the ruler template. You could experiment with a hera marker which is a plastic tool that doesn't actually mark the quilt it puts a crease in the surface you can follow.

I like Tartan's suggestion of paper - no marks on the quilt, but I found waxed paper tore away more easily than tissue paper. I drew on the paper with a marker, though I'd do a test first to make sure the needle doesn't carry color to the quilt. Ask me how I know.

Thanks Feline Fanatic. I’ll be using my domestic sewing machine. You’ve answered the question I didn’t ask! I was wondering earlier today if I could use a freezer paper template. I hadn’t thought about having to scrunch the quilt up, but my machine is quite big and the wall hanging not very wide, so it may be possible. Thankyou!

Thanks Tartan. Again, this was what I was wondering about - rather than mark the quilt, could I quilt round freezer paper or through fine paper. Think I’m going to experiment.

I may try layout paper, which I’ve used in the past for paper piecing - it’s like tracing paper but a bit softer, so tears easily.

AnnesThreads ... some have been using Frixion Pens.

They do a nice job ... However, like most markers there are pro's and con's to these
and one needs to do their own review to decide if it is for them.

On a recent thread someone mentioned General's "Sketch and Wash" pencils. I bought some on Amazon but have not used them yet. The reviews on Amazon indicate they wash out completely, but you might want to test first:
https://www.amazon.com/General-Penci...dp/B002Y2MD16/
They are probably available in artist supply stores also, such as Dick Blick.

I do recommend testing ANY marker on scrap fabric first.

I know several people that use the Crayola Ultra Washable markers and have great success with them.

I'm like Feline Fanatic--I like the BeGone blue marker and would add that if you quilt somewhere that gets lots of sunlight to not leave it sitting. I also like those purple air erase too.

I suggest you not use press & seal as a "tracing paper"--it's a bear to get to peel off if your stitching is fairly tight.
Also make sure to check that your thread doesn't absorb any marker and hold the color--I had that problem with Crayola markers once with a poly thread.

Thanks for the warning - I wouldn’t have thought of that possibility.

I would use freezer paper, not wax paper- wax paper can leave residue behind ( wax- that can be difficult to remove) I made that mistake once. Freezer paper the shiny side irons onto the fabric with no residue. I use freezer paper in my sewing room almost every day- much more than in the kitchen. :)

Crayola Ultra Washable markers
 

Ditto on the Crayola Ultra Washable markers. Not only do they work nicely, but they're relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of colors. I love 'em. Presently, I'm marking out a quite intricate quilting motif on plain, pure white and doing so without any trepidation. If it's a small item, I simply spray with a good mist of cold water and wipe the area. However, I do wash all my quilts when they're finally bound, usually in cold water, and then warm dry and fluff. I've never had a problem and finally got rid of my drawer full of items that didn't really work.

You'll love them.

Freezer paper isn’t used in UK kitchens - I’ve never seen it on sale in a supermarket here. An American friend who came to stay was very puzzled when that was what I asked her to bring me! You can buy it at quilt shows, luckily.

Thats very good to know - thankyou. I’ll see if I can find a UK supplier.

If you use tissue paper or tracing paper, make sure your stitches are small so it will tear away easily! I’ve had to use a tweezer to pick out remaining paper bits...

If you are going to be washing the WHing after it is done, I would suggest Crayola Washable Markers. Experience proves every color washes out, they work.

I just did some ovals on a white border, marked mine with a plastic Hera marker.

That’s happened to me when paper-piecing!

Im going to experiment with the Crayola Washable Markers. Thanks!

I absolutely love the Crayola Ultra Washable markers. Never had a problem washing them out. I use them fearlessly!

I would test your white fabric with the markers before doing your project. I have had good luck with Dritz purple (disappearing) marker. I have also quilted over (newspaper) paper. I buy the tablets in the crayon department meant for kids. It tears away easily. However, If you are printing the pattern, which I don't recommend, or using a marker, which I don't recommend, sometimes the line from the paper is stuck under the thread and shows. I would use the "punch" method by drawing/printing one page; put the page over 4 or 5 pages; FMQ over the lines without thread to just punch in the holes. Then use the punched paper pattern for your project.