Saturday, January 13, 2018

I Need A Marker That Won't Drive Me Crazy

Here's the good news--I finished quilting and binding the Disappearing Nine Patch quilt that I'm calling Cobblestones.
It's to go in a fundraising basket for my grandkids' school, and was due in February, so I wanted to get it done in plenty of time.
This is the quilt laid out on the floor.  I quilted a 6 in. grid in the ditch, and then added diagonal lines through the squares.
The back is a swirly tan/beige leaf print.
Quilting in the ditch was E-A-S-Y.  Then I had to mark the diagonal lines.  Ack!
Does anybody out there still mark quilting lines?  If so, what do you use?
These are the choices I have in my sewing room--white pencils, white chalk, silver pencil, hera marker, soap, and regular pencil.  Each one drives me crazy in its own way.
My requirements are pretty simple. 
1.  I must be able to see the marking while quilting. (Duh.)
2.  The marks must come off completely after quilting, but not BEFORE quilting. (again, duh)
3.  I don't want to mess around with chemicals that won't come off if they get hot or cold or whatever.

I have been wrestling with this problem for 40 years.  I love quilting in the ditch or with the edge of the presser foot, since no marking is required, but sadly that doesn't work for everything.

If anybody can give me a hint or a suggestion, I would be absolutely thrilled.
In the meantime, I've got an earworm of John Cougar Mellencamp to deal with.  Sorry if I gave you one too.
Have a wonderful wintry week!
Cheers,
Sylvia@Treadlestitches
Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts and  Busy Hands Quilts.








Posted by at
Labels: , ,

20 comments:

  1. The Joyful QuilterJanuary 13, 2018 at 12:50 PM

    Congrats! on completing that cozy looking quilt that anyone would be lucky to win.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sylvia@TreadlestitchesJanuary 14, 2018 at 8:14 AM

      Thanks, Joyful! The theme of the basket is "cozy home" and I know my daughter is putting in more great stuff.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2018 at 1:23 PM

    I use Crayola Washable markers. I like the thinner point ones. Have never used a off brand, but the Crayola brand comes out completely and I have a plethora of colors that I can see to use.

    Jay in Nebraska

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sylvia@TreadlestitchesJanuary 14, 2018 at 8:16 AM

      Thanks, Jay! I like this idea--easy to find, not expensive, lots of colors.

      Delete
  3. Mary MarcotteJanuary 13, 2018 at 6:31 PM

    Girl, there are many worse earworms than John Cougar Mellencamp. (Really, Cougar?) I refuse to name any for fear that I'll catch an earworm.
    I like that quilt. It is cozy, as Joy said. The school should fill a fat little piggy. If they have any sense, they'll raffle it while the snow is on the ground. Everybody wants a quilt in the winter!
    I use Frixion pens. They come in tons of colors and remove with heat. I've never had a problem, except with paying the high prices. Ask my grandchildren if they can use THOSE pens! It's sort of like using the good scissors--they get banned from the studio--but with a higher pitch scream.
    Try to keep warm,
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sylvia@TreadlestitchesJanuary 14, 2018 at 8:24 AM

      Thanks, Mary! Gotta love Mellencamp, I'm from Indiana. I'll check out the Frixion pens next time I'm at the LQS. It seems like I mostly need a light-colored marker. Maybe I can start with one and see how it goes.
      Cheers,
      Sylvia

      Delete
    2. PaulaJanuary 14, 2018 at 10:58 AM

      Just a note to Mary's comment on markers. I've never used them, but I've read many reviews and comments that keep me from trying them. This is a brand of marker that can reappear with the changing temps.

      Delete
    3. SandyJanuary 14, 2018 at 12:57 PM

      I've heard that too, about the Frixion pens, but I have used them in smaller hand embroidery projects without incident.
      I am very interested to hear other people's comments about quilt marking because I have the same requirements as you, but haven't found anything that I simply adore. Was happy to read about the Crayola Washable Markers--gonna try 'em. As a side note: I unwittingly tried Pounce Blue Chalk on a lemon yellow table runner and could NOT for the life of me, get rid of those stupid lines and believe me, I tried many things (after researching it online.) I feel like I'm always on the prowl for that "perfect" marking element

      Delete
    4. Sylvia@TreadlestitchesJanuary 14, 2018 at 4:19 PM

      Hi, Paula and Sandy! It's good to know I'm not alone in my search for a "perfect" marker. Heck, I would settle for "good". I'm going to be brave and try things, but not on heirloom quilts until/unless I feel confident.
      Cheers,
      Sylvia

      Delete
  4. JeannineJanuary 14, 2018 at 6:04 AM

    Sylvia, for straight lines like that I always use masking tape - just sew along the edge of the tape. No marks to get rid of or that leave before you're finished.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tami Von ZalezJanuary 14, 2018 at 10:04 AM

    I use an quilter's pencil. I mark the lines esp. when I quilt cross-hatch to ensure I don't stray. I know you can use attachments but with my machine it doesn't work for some reason.
    I have found it is worth the effort to prep the quilt by marking the lines.
    Pop by for a visit some time
    https://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. JeannineJanuary 14, 2018 at 12:09 PM

    Don't know what happened to my comment! For straight lines like you did in this quilt, I use masking tape and sew along the edge of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sylvia@TreadlestitchesJanuary 14, 2018 at 4:22 PM

      Thanks, Jeannine! I do use masking tape from time to time on smaller quilts. Maybe I should try it on larger quilts, too.
      Cheers,
      Sylvia

      Delete
  7. PatriciaLudJanuary 14, 2018 at 9:06 PM

    Painter's tape is great for marking. I buy it on sale, and can use each strip for several lines. Love the colors in your quilt!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sylvia@TreadlestitchesJanuary 15, 2018 at 5:14 AM

      Thanks, Patricia! Is this the blue kind? I will definitely try it!

      Delete
  8. CindyJanuary 15, 2018 at 6:43 AM

    I do not use any markers on my quilts but my quilting is very basic: straight lines, squiggly waves, or meandering wiggles/loops.....I do use masking tape (painters tape is not sticky enough for me) but I do not leave it on a quilt over a day. Do not use Frixion pens as they are not made for fabric per the mfg and can come back in time. I also am a big fan of freezer paper for shapes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sylvia@TreadlestitchesJanuary 15, 2018 at 3:41 PM

      Thanks, Cindy! I have a book by Mary Mashuta (Foolproof Machine Quilting) that details the ways she uses freezer paper etc. for marking her quilts. Maybe it's time to re-read it.

      Delete
    2. UnknownJanuary 23, 2018 at 4:30 PM

      I like to use Frixion ball pens by Pilot. they make a nice fine line and disappear completely when you press them.

      Delete
  9. UnknownJanuary 23, 2018 at 4:36 PM

    Pilot FriXion Ball Erasable Gel Pens, Fine Point, 8-Pack Pouch, Black/Blue/Red/Pink/Purple/Orange/Lime/Brown Inks -31569 found this product at amazon.ca

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading! Post a comment--I want to know what you think!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)