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.

I forgot about using washable markers, tomorrow to the store. I think I will try crayola first. Will test it first. The advice about everything the same is true. Cannot for the life me figure out why, cotton is cotton. It may have something to do with the dying or sizing, but that is a good guideline.

I use the cheap washable markerrs at the dollar store. One in every color, always washes out, never a problem. You get eight pens for a buck.

I was wondering the same thing.....I've used the blue washout pens, too, and I didn't think they had much ink in them. I'll get some washable Crayon markers. Thanks for the idea, ladies.

NJQuilter .. I just bought the Clover chalk mechanicals, though haven;t done much testing yet. Do you find the chalk pretty much brushes off, so you don't need to wash? I'm not familiar with the Bohin pencils you mentionedand the white leads .... could you please tell me more? and do these brush off? or need to be washed out? THANK YOU!

Mechanical pencil with chalk refills. I donot know what brand it is but I am sure there are more than one. I got minefrom secret Santa this year and I love it!!! I like really fine markings whenquilting, even when using stencils. I am not too crazy about pounce chalkbecause it releases too much chalk for my taste. I also like air erasable pens,although they sometimes disappear too fast :)

I use different markers depending on the fabric, especially the color of the fabric. I use the following:
The ceramic lead mechanical pencils from: Bohin, Fons and Porter, Sewline, Collins - The all come from the same factory. Then the Multi-Pastel Chalk pencils made by Geneal Pencil Co. Available in LQS (some) or at an art supply store. They may also be available from places such as JoAnn, Michael (in art supply section) These are chalk and clay and are erasable and washable. Then the pounce type but not the regular pounce but the Marical Chalk that comes off with steam. However, I have found that most of it is off by the time I finish quilting and then a brushing does the rest. I first will rub all the residue with piece of batting, a micro-fiber cloth or the lint brush you get in pet supply sections. It is a black oval plastic type brush. I brush it gently. It appears to act as both an eraser and brush.
In Multi-Pastel I ony use white, light grey and dark gray (has no color in the lead) I also use the black graphite Sketch-n-Wash from General. It looks deadley but also brushes off and will wash out.

Holice ... what are the features of the Ceramic leads? Do they brush off? require washing? Are they in white or just the traditional black/grey of regular leads? Stay better while quilting than the chalk? Why use one or the other? And preference of one type to the other on the dark fabrics? THANKS!

I use frixion pens and have no problems with them. The disappearing ink does wash out. I have no idea where I would have a quilt that would get so cold as for the marks to come back! I also use washable markers with great success. I had used a blue marker on a quilt, then ironed the seams (with steam), and the marks completely washed out! Those are the only types of marking utensils I use. But....please check your fabrics and test before using anything....there will always be one difficult fabric that won't allow it all to come out ;)

Thank you, Holice, this is a really comprehensive summary of what to use.

Crayola washable markers,Frixion pens, and Chalk pencils. I have not had a problem. Just be sure you test, test. test.

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like I'm going to try the Crayola washable markers. :)

Gayle

Frixion pens are my favorite, too. Now if they would only make white ones.

I read these posts so bought some Crayola washable markers. Tried each color on a piece of quilt fabric. Then I used my wet rag and wiped them. Color didn't budge. I was using cold water. I don't wash my quilts after making them so not sure if that's what is needed with these markers. I just keep a wet rag to wipe the blue ink off the Mark-B-Gone thing. What's the trick with these markers?? Thanks.

I use crayola washable markers or frixion pens. I figure if the frixion marks reappear, I would be too cold to notice or care! I've never had trouble with the markers not washing out.

Watching a video online I noticed quilts being marked with a specific pen. Researched it, bought it, and now I am sold on the Sewline mechanical pencil. The leads are .9 and since I didn't have a pencil that size I did purchase the Sewline pencil. Easy to grip and has some weight to it for control. The leads are ceramic and do not smear or come off until I erase it or use a dry or damp washcloth and swipe over it a couple of times. The leads come in white, pink, green, yellow and black-which actually writes in a gray. Doesn't take much erasing to get the lines off. Tested all colors on a piece of muslin, and they washed right out. They say to use the special eraser the pen comes with, but I used a Papermate white pearl eraser and the lines came off very easily. I especially like the fact that if I make a mistake in marking anything, I can immediately fix it. Link to demos:
http://www.sewline-product.com/Sewline_Fabric_Pencil