Long & Mid-Arm - free style? marking designs?

I draw my design on my quilt with a chalk... unless it is really simple then I just go for it ...

I have marked on the quilt with chalk - stiple pattern until I got the hang of it then I just winged it. Stuck Glad Peel'n'seal on the quilt top and draw the design on with pen or felt tip and today I have spent the afternoon making my own pentagragh (sp?) for a quilt I made in a quilt in a day class last Saturday. I am still learning about my frame - quilted 2 quilts on it and pinned out a couple that I wanted to cross hatch and was too lazy to get some calico so that I could put the quilt on point.
Dry soap makes quit a good maker too if you dont have chalk
Skye

PS a couple years back on another board someone said that they marked their quilts with washable crayola felt pens - never been game to try that

Skye..I've seen people on the Aboutquilting site mention using the Crayola WASHABLE markers. I'd be scared to try it I think?

What kind of frame do you have?

Yes, with a stencil... I would like to get the pounce marking kit.... looks like a chalk board eraser.... any one got one???

Don't have one but the demonstrator at the qs used it. I thought it was hard to see and it made some of us sneeze! lol

Thanks MM, I can see why people would sneeze if your pouncing chalk dust...

They sound scary. Even if you marked everything before basting and quilting..what if it didn't come out? :affraid: I'd have to test it under several conditions...like if it's exposed to heat..or for a length of time, before I'd mark a quilt with them. They would probably cost less..IF they truely wash out.

I don't even use the disappearing marking pens designed for qulters. I had a friend who used it on a baltimore album that she didl The marks washed out but reappeared some time later as brownish lines! :affraid: We tried everything and nothing took it out. When she called the company a very abrasive woman said something like...the package says it will disappear, never promised that it would reappear... After a few more phone calls they reimbursed her the cost of the fabric for the quilt and a free supply of their pens! I stick to chalk or ceramic (like the Bohin mechanical marking pencils) that I know brush off.

I also use Pounce. If you try it, remember to turn your stencil rough side up (if it has a rough side) and then rub your pounce across the stencil. Likewise, if you make your own stencil, say with paper and your sewing machine, when you go to use it turn it so the rougher side of the paper is upwards towards you and again rub the Pounce across that. The roughness helps to release the chalk substance out of the Pounce and it falls into the holes or stencil. Hope that helps someone.......

I saw a program where the longarm quilter was using a brush with short stubby bristles, swirling the powder around on the stencil. Also, I have heard of using hairspray to make the powder stay on the quilt and not fly off if you sneeze. There is also a spray chalk that you can use to spray on your stencil and the marks stay put while you quilt...washes out.

I have always used the wash a way blue markers for marking my quilts. I have never had any problems with the lines re-appearing and showing a 'brown' line. BUT, I always use one brand...I think there are others out there??

I have used the 'sew thru tissue paper' (golden threads paper made for quilting) and it works fine...but a pain to pull off all the paper after wards.

Mostly I freehand or follow a pantograph design for an all over effect.

I took a machine quilting class yesterday. The teacher told us when marking quilts if we use the blue markers that are supposed to wash out, be sure that you don't iron over the markings. That will turn them brown. I read this post on Friday and then took the class on Saturday. Weird coincidence.

AnnieOakLeaf wrote:

Skye..I've seen people on the Aboutquilting site mention using the Crayola WASHABLE markers. I'd be scared to try it I think?

What kind of frame do you have?

I have a swiftquilter http://www.swiftquilter.co.nz/

Some members of my guild tested the Crayola washable markers on some scrap muslin. They didn't have very good luck with the marks washing out! I wouldn't use them on my quilt!

BearFoot wrote:

Some members of my guild tested the Crayola washable markers on some scrap muslin. They didn't have very good luck with the marks washing out! I wouldn't use them on my quilt!

That's the kind of info that we all need, BF - Thanks for sharing! I guess that what I've always told my kids is true in this case: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
:flower:

Thanks for the feedback on those markers Bearfoot. The price is so much better on those than other marking tools. I really thought I'd get some and try it. Wouldn't it just be awful if someone marked a quilt and it didn't come out? :affraid: