Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Marking Quilting Lines

Deb Geyer has posted a video about using Elmer's School Glue as basting glue. This reminded me of another easily available school supply product that I use in quilting: that's Crayola Washable Markers. They make a great mark for quilting designs, easily visible and removable by washing. A warning though: don't use them on something you don't intend to wash, because although the marks come out cleanly, a lot of water is needed and there is a lot of ink. A spritz of water won't do the job. Also, I don't know whether you should use detergent or not, but I would assume so because mothers washing kids clothes do. I usually put my quilts through the rinse and spin cycle after the quilting is done, and the Crayola markers work great for this. Here's the twin quilts, one marked and ready to quilt and the other quilted and rinsed. (It needs fluffing in the dryer to look prettier.) Take my word that the marks that have been washed out were actually much darker than the ones you see in the picture.




Of course you should test the markers on a scrap first, and be sure to get the WASHABLE ones. :)

8 comments:

jenclair said...

Thanks, Kay! Of course those markers were thoroughly tested before being marketed for kids (and moms). I would never have thought of using them, but will get some now!

Rian said...

I am a big fan of the washable markers myself, but I have found myself settling in to the Rollerball ultra fine point--green only. Something about the green ink, it always washes out. I've used it a million times.

Debra Dixon said...

I used some gel pens on my HC piece and that was a mistake. Back to the pencil for me.

Juryizstillout said...

Great idea! I use a quilt pounce, but this looks like it'll work, too!

Hey, thanks for stopping by the blog!

allie aller said...

There is always the quest for the perfect marker! Some good ideas here....
I tried to check out Sharon S's UTube video and if my connection wasn't so slow, I would watch everything she has put out so far. Thanks for the link...really great stuff!

Shelina said...

I've heard this tip, and have my markers ready for when I am ready to quilt a quilt. I'm still afraid, but I can see how they would work.

Anonymous said...

Looks like they make a nice fine line too. I've been discouraged from using true sewing markers on my heirloom children's things because we don't really know yet what they'll do to the fabric years from now. And if you don't get it out totally (it's kind of like those birthday candles that re-ignite!), it will leave a brown mark once it's ironed.

But on a print for a quilt, I'm game, and it sounds like the Crayolas are better suited to the task than the pens actually designed for sewers. Thanks--I love tips. I'll try Rian's marker too.

laura west kong said...

That's a great idea! As far as I've seen, and believe me my DD has come home from school more than a few times with magic marker on her clothes, it's never failed to come off in the wash and I don't give it any special treatment either.

That said, it must still be scary at first to be marking all over your quilt like that!