What marker to use
 

What do you use to mark straight lines on a block to quilt it. I do a lot of qayg method and find that pencils do not show up enough. I have tried a butter knife to lightly mark a line but cannot see it enough on many colours. Can you help please.

how about the blue painters tape?

This is what I use.

there are ton's of options in marking tools on the market, blue- water erasing markers; purple- air erasing markers; frixon pens- which erase with an iron; many different chalk pencils; along with ceramic and mechanical pencils with an array of colors. visit most any website (Nancy's notions, Clotilde's & Connecting Threads all carry an assortment) will have their favorites available. what ever you choose make sure you test it to be sure the marks will disappear.

I have also used masking tape - you can get it in various widths. Many years ago you could go to a Sherman Williams store and they would cut it to the width you wanted. So several of us had them cut a role down to 1/4 inch width. Haven't done it in years so not sure if they still do it or not. But it was so cheap compared to the "mini" roll they sold at the quilt shops.

I hand quilt...I find the frixion pens work best for me...once done quilting I run a iron over the blocks and the marking disappear...

I use a sliver of soap, you know, that last thin bit left in the soap dish that you just let sit there after opening a new bar in hopes it will some how join with the old one so you will not waste it. LOL Works great and comes out in the wash. Do not use soap that has skin softener or lotion in it, may stain.

frixion pen user here. Thinnest line!!

Crayola washable markers work really well. Test on some scraps to make sure the marker washes out.

FYI, I had a bad time with Crayola markers. used green on yellow fabric (tested fine of course) and it took six washings with everything I had to get them out of the border. I gave them away after that.

I buy and try all the new marking pencils. They all seem to do the job. I like the ones that are easy to remove with no time involved. For light fabrics I use Frixion pens and for dark fabrics I use regular chalk. I sharpen the end to a fine point using a pencil sharpener. I have gone back to the water soluble blue pen for large area markings on light fabric now that I can buy the Blue Line Eraser product.

I LOVE the Crayolas. I've had the marks be on the quilt for 4-6 months and wash out completely. I followed a hint to soak the quilt for 20 mins then wash as normal. Also for quilting or hand quilting I use #7738 from the following link

http://www.brewersewing.com/BQSS_Con...=48&offset=672
Very fine point. Tip: I store mine upside down inside my bra to keep it warm while using it! Erases quite quickly depending how heavily its used. I use this one for hand quilting small blocks - QAYG style.

I LOVE the Crayolas. I've had the marks be on the quilt for 4-6 months and wash out completely. I followed a hint to soak the quilt for 20 mins then wash as normal. Also for quilting or hand quilting I use #7738 from the following link

http://www.brewersewing.com/BQSS_Con...=48&offset=672
Very fine point. Tip: I store mine upside down inside my bra to keep it warm while using it! Erases quite quickly depending how heavily its used. I use this one for hand quilting small blocks - QAYG style.

On dark fabrics the Clover Chaco liner works best for me. I find that after marking and just before sewing if you blow on the marked line it takes most of the "free" chalk of the top so it doesn't get "stitched into" the fabric but is still very visible. Never had a problem with the lines not disappearing.

I have become a Pouncer!