irishrose

I am making a large amount of HSTs and need to draw a line diagonally across my squares. I'm using a Quilter's Rule Quick Quarter which is a great little tool, but the slot is narrow, which it needs to be. A mechanical pencil fits best, but doesn't mark easily. Sometimes the fabric gets pulled out of place. A ballpoint pen marks easily, but doesn't fit in the slot well. Any suggestions? Something that is narrow tipped, but marks easily on light and dark fabrics.

tammy cosper

Try a carpenters pencil. The work great for marking right against the ruler because they are flat pencils.

Painiacs

Never thought of that! Where did u get the ruler!?

annesthreads

I don't know if pencils have the same grading system in the States as here in the UK, so whether this will be much help - but most pencils here have an "HB" on them, meaning "hard black" - ie a hard lead and a dark line. These aren't ideal for marking fabric because, as you describe, they drag it. You can also buy pencils that are "2B" - these have a softer, lighter coloured lead that marks more easily and is much better for fabric. They're getting hard to find, but an art shop or large stationer's should have them.

meemersmom

To keep your fabric from getting pulled out of place when marking lines for HSTs w/ a mechanical pencil (or anything else for that matter), place the fabric on a piece of fine grit sand paper first. I glued some 00 to the inside of a file folder that I keep in a drawer. I also glued a small piece to the back of a 5x5 cutting mat that I keep in my "take with" project bag that helps me mark applique pieces. I hope this helps you as much as its helped me.

scrapykate

I use that ruler and put my marks on the edges and then sew just a hair above the line. This keeps the midline and stitch line at 1/4".

QuiltnNan

i used a sharpened #2 pencil in mine. works great.

QuiltnNan

i love this idea! thanks

irishrose

I have a piece of sandpaper paper clipped to a notebook. The LQS employee recommended a clipboard, but mine is missing. I like the cardboard notebook because it's slightly bendable to help get the fabric off.

The ruler came from the LQS. It comes in 2 lengths. The smaller one is big enough for up to at least a 6 inch square. It has a slot in the center for drawing the cutting line and then when I draw on each side of the ruler, the lines are exactly 1/4" from the cutting line. Finally, good HSTs.

I scrounged around last night and found an inexpensive Bic ballpoint pen. It fits in the slot, so for now I'm all set, but will look for a softer pencil. This quilt has a black ground, so the pen isn't going to make a difference, but if I were using white, I'd want a much lighter line.

hcarpanini

I made a permanent mark on my sewing machine and use it to follow from corner to corner of my square. That way no marking. There is also a wonderful gadget called the Angler 2.