Good Morning, Quilters!
Welcome to another episode of Open Line Friday—Everyone Asks and EVERYONE Answers....
We have nearly 10,000 regular readers of The Inbox Jaunt (can’t YOU help me get to 10,000 by telling YOUR friends about us?)
With that many readers, we have a vast base of knowledge and experience. Please chime in with what works for YOU and what YOU need help with.
GOAL FOR 2017
One of my goals for 2017 is to experiment with batting–which coincides with several questions we received this week.
For the past several years I have settled on two favorite batts: Wool and 100% cotton.
I love wool for it’s loft, drapability, hand, and how well it washes. (Read more about my Twin Daughter’s College Quilts HERE)
I use 100% cotton whenever I want a flat, smoother quilt–for example, it’s perfect for the Tuesday Tutorials.
Perhaps it’s time for me to expand my horizons a little…so I’m turning to YOU, Gentle Reader…
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BATTING AND WHY?
I will use this list to start collecting, experimenting and creating samples.
BATTING AND STITCH DISTANCE
One thing to note about all batting is how far apart the quilting lines can be.
This information is found directly on the package.
You may quilt closer than the manufacturer’s recommendation, but if you quilter farther apart, there’s a good chance the batting will clump up when it is washed.
MARKING TOOLS/CHALK
I am frequently asked about my marking tools.
My go-to marker is the Dritz Chalk Cartridge Set
Chalk is easy to see, easy to erase and it doesn’t break easily. (Thank you to those who pointed out that some chalk markers have wax in them as well–making them more difficult to remove!)
If I need a finer line, I like the Fons and Porter Ceramic Pencil or the Sew Line Ceramic Pencil
Both are mechanical pencils and are easy to see and to erase.
When I’m drawing straight lines with a ruler or stencil, The Clover Chalk Wheel is really fast and convenient.
SAMPLES, SAMPLES, SAMPLES or THERE’S NO CRYING IN QUILTING….
All marking tools should be tested on every fabric to be sure they will come out…
We all know it’s the fastest way to bring a quilter to tears!!!
What about YOU? What is YOUR favorite marking pen or batting?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
PPS…This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase anything, there will be no additional cost to you and The Inbox Jaunt may receive a little “pin money”. Thanks for supporting us this way!
90 comments
Monica Hendewerk
Thank you for this infiormatoon!! I have always hated using chalk, because I could never get it out. I must’ve had a chalk pencil with wax in it. I will buy the ones that you suggest.
Brenda Estes
NATURE-FIL BAMBOO BLEND BATTING by Fairfield had been my go to batting for bed quilts but have had difficulty sourcing.
Just ordered /received Quilter’s Dream Angel for a baby quilt. Love the feel and quality. Also ordered their wool batting, but haven’t opened it yet!
Monica Hendewerk
I like to use Flexion pens that can be purchased at any office supply store. The color disappears when it is heated slightly. I have been told that even though the color disappears there is a residue on the fabric. And that if you put the fabric in the freezer the color will come back. I don’t put my quilts in the freezer and I can’t see the residue.
Gail Mansfield
I have been using the Flexion pens on an embroidered quilt I am just finishing up. I LOVE them, however I did do an experiment and ironed it off a scrap, then put it in the freezer and the markings did come back. A hot iron removes them again. It was still worth it to mark the embroidery lines. I will use the suggestion about washing the quilt when it’s all done.
I also have a “Sewline Fabric Pencil, Japanese Selection”, that I like very much for lighter markings. It’s a mechanical pencil and bought extra white and pink ‘leads’ for it. It comes off easily and there’s a fabric eraser on the top end. I did not know about some pencils having wax in them, the package says nothing about what the ‘leads’ are made of.
Sue in MN
I only use the Frixion pens when marking a quilt that will be laundered once it is finished. A was on gentle cycle with soap has permanently removed all the marks on all the quilts I’ve done. Even in Minnesota winter temps they have not come back when I had them in the car.
I don’t use them in wall hangings unless I plan to launder them.
I live very close to Lori and our temps are way colder then anybody’s freezer so it’s a good place to test.
Marta
Questions, Sue, what type “soap” did you use? I have soaked, starched, and soaked block pieces, dried in air, and sewn and then ironed to remove the Frixion marks. Water alone never interfered with my process. If the right soap would do it, I could skip the ironing/heating step. Or was yours washed with warm or hot water? Thanks…Living in south GA, we had a very hot Summer this year but we do have freezing temps in Winter.
Martha Durick
What? You don’t put quilts in the freezer! Love your wit!
Lorraine Doyno Evans
If you transport a quilt in cold weather the markings will come back. Mailing a quilt during the winter as a gift or to a quilt show???…be careful the markings might reappear.
Mary B
All I’ve ever used is Warm and Natural. It’s all cotton. I have a package of 100% polyester batting in my closet, but haven’t tried it yet. I also love the Fons and Porter mechanical pencil. It works very well for a fine line and is easy to remove.
Nancy Wasserman
You mentioned that some chalk markers have wax in them. I’m interested in which ones those are so I can avoid using them.
Chip Styles
I use either Hobbs Wool or Hobbs Heirloom batting. I like the loft and hand of both. Have also used Warm and Natural when I run out of my favs.
Mary
Looking forward to the recommendations. Joanne’s has sale on batting until Sunday. I am planning a quilt as you go project. The design will be disappearing hourglass, with a border. I am hoping to do some creative stitching without the bulk. It’s going to be my Christmas quilt… some day!
Christina in FL
Lori, Thanks for asking!! I am going to be using wool batting for the first time. So far I adore the feel of the Quilter’s Dream. Most of the time I prefer a 100% cotton for the lovely way it crinkles up after a good wash and dry. 🙂
For marking I use the same Dritz Chalk marker. I also use the Sewline mechanical pencil, graphite mechanical pencils, rolling markers, Frixion pens and whatever else is around. I have tried the Crayola Superwash markers but, in my test on solid colored cotton, they didn’t wash out of fabric completely. I agree about testing everything. 🙂
Happy creating and love your blog!! :)))
Christina in FL
Oh, I almost forgot, I adore my Sewline Air Erasable marker. The marks stay well for about a day. And my blueline water-erasable marker. Clearly, I have a passion for markers…. along with everything else. 🙂
Kris P
Thanks for all the great info on marking tools. I have the ceramic pencil, but will try the chalk set shown. I don’t mark often, preferring to just do allover designs, but once in a while, marking can’t be avoided.
I really like Quilter’s Dream Batting. I used up the last of my 70/30 roll of batting last spring and decided to try the 80/20, which is a little thinner and easier for FMQ at home. At first I was worried that it would be too thin, but it’s still at least as warm as Warm and Natural, and I’ve been using a lot of Minky and Cuddle for the backs of quilts, so the thinner batting keeps them from getting too heavy.
susanstitch
I never thought of using the chalk wheel with stencil – that could be a life changer! I rely a lot on my frixions and an old white pencil with “Singer” on the side that seems to work best on black fabrics. Right now I use 100% cotton because I got a GREAT deal on a bolt of it (which makes it really convenient), but I’d like to try playing with wool.
Emma odegaard
I absolutely love washable wool batting, both Quilter’s Dream and Hobbs. It drapes beautifully, and in my opinion shows off your quilting like none other. The needle just glides through like butter and it’s warmer but still lightweight.
Now then, If only I knew what marking pencils to use. I’ve tried pounce and don’t like the mess it makes or the smearing. Frixtion pens used on dark fabric leaves a “line” that will not come out. I will take your advice and try the Dritz cartridge set.
Thank you for these FABULOUS tutorials. I look forward to them every day.
Julia Parrino
Lori thank you so much for all the info that is helping me, and all who read your blog, to be better quilters! The Clover chalk wheel is great. I’ve used it several times to mark the “rail”. Also appreciate the info on needle and thread size. It has helped so much!
Thanks again!
Leah
My fav is wool. Only wish it could be quilted farther apart sometimes.
Comments are closed.