I got some marking tools at the Des Moines show and apparently I didn't pay attention very well. Do you mark your quilt before or after you make you sandwhich?

After

Before if I am tracing a design, After if I am using a stencil.

Why does it matter to mark after the stencil specifically?

It does not. That is just what I do. I have also marked with stencil before sandwiching.

I am hand quilting a wall hanging right now that I marked after sandwiching. It's not too hard if you are using lower loft batting.

I think it is a matter of preference.
No quilt police here!!

Chris

I mark after but that's just a personal preference

I mark after but could mark before. It's just my way of doing it.

Depends on what you are marking with. If its something that disappears with air or rubs off easily, then you want to mark after you sandwich so you don't lose your markings. If you are using another type of marker then it might be more accurate to mark before you sandwich so you can mark on a harder surface. Whatever works for you.

I like to mark with a hard lead art pencil, so for me it is easier to mark before the quilt is sandwiched so I have a hard surface to get accurate markings.