Water soluble stabiliser as a quilting template?
 

Has anyone traced, marked or printed a quilting design on to water soluble stabilser? If so how did it work and would a heavier weight stabiliser be better than a lightweight one? I want to machine quilt some 12" blocks (already in a quilt top) and have a quilting design in mind but don't have a stencil (only a picture) and the fabric colours would in any case make normal marking difficult to see.
Any advice will be very welcome. T.I.A.
Doris in the U.K.

I have used this method. Also, I always use the stabilizer when I'm going to applique or embroider on towels as it holds down the nap. I've also used the plastic saran wrap that is 'sticky' because it's so cheap. Experiment and see which method or materials work best for you because each project is different and reacts differently depending on the design, the batting thickness, etc.

post a picture of the quilting design. There may be one available somewhere. Appears to me that stabilizer is a lot of expense and trouble.

When I first started quilting I used a water soluble stabilzer to draw my quilt pattern onto. It was a little bit costly but I only used it in the borders. After I was done, I cut away the excess material as close as I could and then continued with the quilting in the other areas and then binding the quilt. When everything was done, I soaked the quilt in the tub to make sure that all of the stabilizer dissolved and then I washed the quilt as I normally do. All of the material was gone and it looked nice.

If you can purchase by the yard that will help with the cost. I prefer the water soluble to using either paper or other materials (such as a plastic wrap, etc) because there were no little pieces to pick out of my stitches when it was all done.

I like to use the thin gift wrapping tissue paper stuff to draw my designs on then tape or pin it to the area I'm quilting. I've also used vellum and the old cheap typewriter paper. If you can get your hands on that paper that doctor's use to cover the exam beds--that would work very well, too. I know paper piecers that fight over the end of the rolls--LOL!

I like to use Sulky Solvy. It's a little more prep work drawing out the designs, but so much easier to remove. I draw my designs on it using Crayola washable markers. I never tried the glad wrap...sometimes my stitches are little and it would drive me nuts to have to pick the little bits out from the stitching.

Just a caution to test it first with your marking tool. I once quilted through tissue paper - had marked with a permanent felt tip pen (and given it plenty of time to dry). The heat of the needle caused some of the marking to transfer to the fabric. Now I only use a water-soluble pen to mark with so if it does transfer I can get the marks out.

It would work, if you don't mind the expense. It would take a lot of stabilizer to cover an entire quilt. If you decide to go this route, I recommend the thinner stuff, because it will be easier to dissolve. BTW, you have to literally soak the stuff off, spraying with water won't do it.

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions. A friend is sending me a sample of WSS and I've also bought a 1 yard sample from EBay so once these arrive I can have a go and experiment.

I think it would be very expensive to do a whole quilt. I have used it on the pocket of a Bow Tucks bag, and it worked very well and was removable by using a wet q-tip along the stitching. For quilts I use tissue paper. It is easy to remove and the q-tip to wet it also helps to remove the paper. It almost melts when wet.
Sue

Susie - that is a marvelous suggestion. I just got my mid-arm quilting machine set up, and was wondering about the use of water soluble, paper, etc. I am most eager to try your method -- much more reasonable on a retiree's budget;-) Many, many thanks
Lenora Lee

Yeah I have used tissue paper marked with pencil (stay to one side of marking) and wash out school markers. If the paper is creased you can iron it. Used tape to get little pieces and q tip with water.