Good Morning, Quilters!
Last week, I shared my step-by-step method for marking a grid on quilts. The post generated a lot of conversation about marking tools. (Be sure to read the comments!)
Marking our quilts is one of the biggest challenges quilters face. Marking the quilt can be very time consuming and there is nothing more disheartening than being unable to remove the marks once the quilt is complete! For these reasons, I use a minimal marking method. I would much rather spend my time doodling to learn a motif on paper than marking it on my quilt and following the line. The added benefit: I don’t have to worry about how to remove the line!
However, there are times when marking a quilt is essential to the design.
THE BEST MARKING TOOLS?
In previous posts like Quilt Marking Tools and Does the Perfect Marking Tool Exist?, I outlined a few of my criteria for the best tools.
Marking tools must be:
- Easy to see
- Easy to erase (but not too easy)
- Strong enough not to break frequently
- Long lasting (not dry out quickly)
MY FAVORITE MARKING TOOLS
My favorite marking tool is white chalk. It is easy to see and easy to erase.
I love the Dritz Chalk Cartridge-(white chalk only). There’s a similar set by Allary that is half the price that I’m sure would be great, too!
I also use the Sewline White Ceramic Pencil or the Fons and Porter white ceramic pencil.
MARKING TOOLS FOR LIGHT FABRIC?
Most of my quilts are medium or dark fabrics, so white chalk works well.
Marking light fabrics pose a different challenge.
I have good luck with the purple disappearing marker. It is easy to see and easy to erase. However, the marks sometimes disappear within a few hours-so quilt fast!
For straight lines, I like to use painter’s tape.
Beyond that, I don’t have a favorite marking pen or pencil. HELP!
WHAT ABOUT POUNCE PADS?
I have tried pounce chalk pads with limited success.
A pounce pad is loose chalk in a sponge like applicator that is rubbed over a stencil. The process was amazingly fast and easy to see.
The difficulty– the chalk smeared before I was finished quilting a very small quilt.
OPEN LINE FRIDAY
What about YOU?
Have you used a pounce pad? Did you like it? (please include brand)
Do YOU have a favorite marking tool?
How do YOU mark light fabrics?
Do YOU have any quilt markers you won’t use? What happened?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Signed,
Your Minimal Marker,
Lori
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PPS…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!
