What is the best marking tool?
 

Hi...I need to mark a quilt for quilting, and am wondering what you all use to mark your quilts. I don't want to use chalk, because I've read before that the blue and yellow chalk lines don't always wash out. And I don't want to use Frixion pens as I've heard that when the quilt gets cold, the marks will re-appear.

So which brand of marking pencil/pen do you use? Which ones wash out completely from your quilt?

Thanks!

Gayle

I'm a frixion pen user - a) wash the quilt after completing it and the ink will wash out and b) I don't intend to freeze my quilt ;)

I am having this issue with my sample quilt. The first 3 blocks I used the frixion pens to mark the stencil pattern, since the blocks were busy, I had a difficult time trying to see the lines - did not like it. So I switched to my Pounce in white. I am using plastic stencils, so I wiped a smear of white pounce chalk over the stencils, it made clear thick lines which made it so easy on my eyes and hand quilting was a dream.

I tested the frixion pens by washing a test block, dried it, and then put it in the freezer. The marks didn't appear. I did the same with pounce, and it washed off easily. Would need to know what type of transfer are you doing? If you are doing quilting by machine, I would mark my design on tissue paper (or tracing paper). pin it to the quilt and sew right over it.

I use Frixion pens too. I haven't had any problem. Besides a temp changing quilt would be a fun. Mark it with different colors and have a whole new pattern when it gets freezing inside you house.

Test Test Test!
and test again!

What works for one quilter, may not be the same for you.

When you do your testing, be sure that all is as equal as possible in what you have done. Same fabric. Same wash/dry. Same treatments (eg. starch, best press, etc.) Same batting. Same markers. Then wash and dry etc. and see what results you have.

Someone recently gave the tip to use washable markers. I went and bought some (pretty inexpensive, considering what good marking pens cost that are marketed for quilters) and tried various colors out on some fabric scraps. Works like a charm!

I found every color washed out beautifully and completely. My biggest concern was the yellow because it has been mentioned that the yellow doesn't come out completely. It did on my test patches, but when I go to use these on an actual quilt, I'm going to test them on scraps of fabric that are in that quilt just to be on the safe side.

Not sure if you're hand or machine quilting. I'm a hand quilter and use a #2 mechanical pencil for light fabrics and a Bohin mechanical pencil with white 'lead' for dark fabrics. I generally mark as I go. Have only ever had a problem once with the lead pencil not washing out completely. I've also used the (I think) Clover chalk mechanical pencils in all kinds of colors. Never had an issue with any of them not washing out either.

use washable crayon markers they work great

I've used the washable markers for years. I have left it on for a year and it still washed out. I have even ironed and steamed and it still washed out. One time I did have to wash the yellow twice but it came out. I love being able to use all the different colors and they are cheap. Take them to guild meetings and if it doesn't come home, no big deal.

I too have started using the Crayola washable markers. I like the blue washout pens but they don't seem to have much ink in them.