I have tried those washable pencils, the erasable pencils, the brush-out chalk, the tailor's chalk and even the water soluable markers and they all come out fine...before I do the quilting. But once that needle and thread cover the marks, there's a trace amount still seen of the marking tool, especially on the lighter fabrics, no matter what I try. (Don't worry, for the most part I try this out on scrap fabric--it's only affected two quilts). So, my question is, besides a Hela marker, is there anything out there that's foolproof for any of you??

I use the type that disappears when you pass an iron over it. Works great for me. The color I use (and the only one I use) is white.
JulieM

Haven't used markers much - tried the blue that disappears but it disappears long before I have finished quilting so I lose the lines! Will keep checking this thread for ideas. There are sure to be great ones because our quilters are great!

There is no "one size fits all" marker for quilts. I have discovered over the years that what works for another quilter doesn't always work for me.
One absolute rule is to always test before marking.

About the disappearing marker. You probably got the one that disappears in the air. Requires really fast quilting. There is another felt tip marker that must be washed out. Not spritzed but emersed in water to make sure it is totally out of the quilt.

I've tried the felt tip marker that needs to be immersed and it does wash out well but the marker stains the lighter quilting threads I sometimes use. I've never tried the marker that needs to be ironed out. If it's white, what do you use on white fabrics? I like the disappearing markers on darker fabrics with darker threads but the creams and whites just don't work well. I've even used monofilament thread but it still doesn't always wash out from beneath it. I do know that my Gram always swore by the tailor's chalk but that doesn't always work for me like it does for her. Next time I'm in Joann's I'll look for the marker that irons off, I know where it is so I'll give it a whirl but the others are just driving me nuts.

I have depended on this board to "find" the best marking system and the only one that a majority like is the chacoliner chalk roller. I've yet to try it - haven't had to mark in a while, but I will soon and it's a mixed light/dark quilt so I plan to buy two different color markers. I did use kid's washable markers (at first, and even now) I find I'm most comfortable with thick lines. I've heard yellow doesn't come out and no colors come out if ironed. I used tons of Shout. But I'm ready to move on.

I got fustrated with all those pencils as they wouldn't mark very dark so went to a thin marker and I was always off because of the bleeding. I found that the gel pens work well.

A quilting teacher told us that she uses children's washable markers. Of course, she starches instead of steam ironing and starches the quilt top well so whatever you use, you are marking on the starch and when you wash the quilt the marks come off with the starch. That's the technique I use and it works wonderful. Of course, test a sample on your fabric using starch then marker.

This is my favorite also. Its made by Clover.

Were do you get these markers at?

Well...I will say that earlier this month I had a disaster with the chacoliner chalk roller. Even though I've never had a problem with them, I tested it out on my fabrics that were in a quilt and it brushed off fine so I used it to mark my quilting lines. After that, it wouldn't come out of two of the fabrics! I tried everything and nothing brought it out. Someone on here suggested that the heat of the needle and machine bed from a day of use must have set the chalk into the fabric... :cry: I tried it again this week on a trial placemat, just as a precaution before trying it on the actual placemats and it did it again, before my machine was warmed up. I think it just mixes wrong with some of the finishes on some fabrics. I will never use it again. It went in the trash just yesterday.

I've had the same problem, havent tried the ones that the iron takes out. Dont even know where to get them. But I've ruined some great quilts trying out new marking gadgests.

This is a topic I have been very interested in. I am a tape person. I do a lot of straight line hand quilting and I use painters tape and 1/4 in tape to mark when I have the piece in my hoop. I never leave it on more than a day.

This is all that I can suggest.

i'm a #2 pencil or tape person. If i can't mark the quilt w/ one of those 2 utensils, i do something different. I mark light enough that i can see where to quilt w/ the pencil. Alot of times it just wears off.

I use a light graphite mechanical pencil on the lighter fabrics. A white art eraser will erase those marks. On darker fabrics I use a sliver of white Dove soap. I shave it down to a sharp edge. Those marks come out in the wash. Simple, easy, inexpensive and guaranteed to work any time, every time.

I use a white chaco liner. I have a yellow but it doesn't seem to come out as easily. If I'm using light fabric where the chaco liner doesn't show, I use masking tape. I only do straight line quilting though.

I read that the frixion (sp??) pens wash out well. I have some but never tried it.

I used the tape when doing straight line marking but for my free motion quilting stitches I needed something different. I hadn't thought of #2 pencils or the Dove soap. The chaco liner I used was yellow so I tossed it. I haven't tried the white yet. The iron-off marker is sold at Joann's.

I use the "Pounce pads and stencils" as I find this a much easier method and the powder irons off.

I use the Sewline fabric pencils. The leads are very fine and come in a range of colours. I have two, a pink and a blue one. They have erasers on the top and both the erasers and the leads are available in refill packs. I've never used the eraser as the lines are so fine and easily covered by the stitching. I've never had a problem with the lines showing.

my favorite is the Clover pencil with different colors of lead

Yes, I have used the soap method for many years on alterations - but will keep checking on this thread for hints on lighter fabric. I have used #2 pencil but sometimes have a heavy hand.

i love the idea of a sliver of soap!!! I absolutely never thought of that!!! Is Dove because that's what's in your house or for another reason??

Now that you guys got me started, 2 questions, one are the washable markers just the markers you see in the stores that anyone can buy, and other questions, where and what are the gels. I have a couple of markers to use for hand quilting but am not happy with them, would love to go to something else. And Oh yah third question, does everyone starch heavy before you start quilting? I usually don't so I don't have a lot of starch in my fabric before I start.

I use the clover white marking pen (fine) for dark fabric (it can be ironed out or washed out) and the blue fine line water erasable marking pen for light fabrics by dritz. I use them most along the edge s of fabrics that blend together so I can see where to satin stitch.

The best marker that I have found is the Sewline ceramic pencil. They are not cheap (for me) but well worth it. There are other ceramic pencils that have hard leads but Sewline is great. Just google it.

My DH says to try soapstone from a welding supply store. Or Silver Streak used to mark on Stainless.You can get these at a welding supply also. It washes off ,does not heat set.He is a Union Pipefitter and has used these products for years. Contact a local supplier .

These are the ones I was recommending earlier on!

I want something with a very thin line; most markers are too fat. I, too, am interested in learning more about the gel pens. I am assuming they wash right out. Any special brand---are they are JoAnn's----are they made especially for sewing?????

I think we should point out that you should try each of these on scraps before marking on your top! Some of the blue pens will be permanent if heated, so will come back when laundering, etc. So, try your samples out, then do everything you will do to it from now on, wash, dry, hang on the line, iro, whatever, just be sure it will come out and stay gone. I have to say I did not know some of the blue pens would come back until this summer. I was very lucky NOT to have used one of those in the past because Iloved the blue ones! Right now, I am using the white Clover pen, until someone tells me different!

What kind is this? I would love one.

I think this is the white clover pen.

Definitely! I always test on the same fabrics I use in my quilt but sometimes what washes out of pre quilted fabric doesn't wash out of the quilt once I've quilted it. :? Sometimes the marks stain my cream/white threads and sometimes the chaco-liner would wash out but not always. Now, I quilt a sample of my scraps to see how it works.

It is the white Clover pen. I was in Joann's this afternoon and bought it. I also bought the white leads and mechanical pencil that Fons & Porter uses. I have a teacher's discount at Joann's so I was able to get 15% off the total order and used two of my 50% off coupons. I also got the chalk liners (NOT chaco-liner) but other ones. I'm going to work up some quilted samples today and see how they all work together and if any do not wash out.

The best pen I found that works is the Frixion made by Pilot, it disapear like magic when you put a hot iron on it. You can get them at Office Max or Walgreens. I found them once at Wal Mart, but can't fine them any more. I been looking for a white one but no luck as of yet. They come in blue, black, red, orange, and pink. You can also get them of the internet, just google Frixion. Hopes this helps. I messed up one of my quilts because I couldn't get red markings out.

I use these ones too. So far - I have not experienced a problem.

I have been useing the one at WalMarts that is blue on one end and purple on the other. I use a washcloth and wipe color off after each row of quilting. When I finish the quilt, I wash the quilt in mild detergent and dry in the dryer. Works for me.

Has anyone used these long enough to verify that the marks stay gone? The blue markers I used to use would disappear completely with water but would reappear lightly sometimes and not go away again.

the washable markers I get in the dollar store, just make sure you test first