Friday, May 21, 2010

Quilting markers

It is time to discuss marking pens for my quilts. Over the years, I have tried different ones ..... and there are pros and cons to every one of them. Currently, Crayola Washable markers are my favourites and this is how my hexagon quilt is being marked. Just simple straight and diagonal lines. Many years ago, I attended a week long class for making whole cloth quilts. My teacher was using Crayola washable markers and I have been a devout fan since then.

My teacher warned us though to don't use red or blue markers and don't apply any heat to the markings.

Me, being the rebel that I am, have used red and blue markers .... they just need a bit more coaxing to come out.

Crayola markers are great for dark fabrics using the darker colour markers. If the markings don't show up well, then I do use the Clover White Marking Pen. I do love the Clover Blue Marking Pen, but have had problems with the marks turning yellow on some of my light coloured fabrics (and I haven't even applied any kind of heat to the markings). The yellow markings do come out, but with a lot of coaxing using Oxy Clean.
One word of warning! If you do use any kind of washable markers, just be careful if you have used a permanent marker with your rulers or stencils.

I make my own stencils and do use a Sharpie permanent marker to mark the lines or design. After cutting out the stencil ..... be sure to clean your ruler or stencils before using your washable markers. To clean, use either nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol and a kleenex. If you don't clean your ruler or stencil, the permanent ink residue (that is left on the ruler and stencil) will transfer onto your washable marker nibs and then onto your fabric .... and trust me, you don't want to go there .... like I did, once, many years ago.

When you use these two chemicals to remove the ink residue, just be careful with your rulers as the chemicals will also remove the lines on the bottom side of your ruler. Just carefully clean the edges only.

To wash out the Crayola markings, use cold water and mild soap. Sometimes, you may have to put your quilt through a couple of cycles to get all the markings out. Some of my quilts have had the markings on for a few years and they still do wash out. If not, then I will use Oxy Clean to coax out the stubborn markings. I don't like to use the pre-soak cycle on my washing machine, just in case some of the dyes tend to run onto other fabrics. My fabrics are all pre-washed anyway, but some dyes still do tend to run a bit regardless.

As with everything else .......... test .... test ..... test .... Crayola Washable markers (or any other washable markers) on your fabrics before using.

Have a great day!

20 comments:

Barb said...

Great info, thanks!!

Megan said...

I love to use the Crayola markers for my quilting, and I'm so glad someone else does, too! I mentioned it in a group of quilters once, and I thought some of them were going to fall out of their chairs, they were so shocked that I don't use the super-expensive ones from the quilt shop.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for this information.

Stephanie in Michigan said...

That is a really excellent caution that I would have never thought of. Thank you!

paulette said...

Wow!! Thanks for all this info!! Think I will bookmark this page and use it as a reference!!
Take care!
Paulette

Jan said...

Thankyou for this wealth of advise ..love Jan in the UK xx

Jennifer said...

I'll have to see if we can get Crayola washable markers here. A friend uses watercolour pencils for her marking and finds they work well.

West Michigan Quilter said...

Great info. I'm always looking for a good marker, particularly when I have a darker fabric. Thanks.

Janet said...

Great post. I've been searching for the markers here in Aussie for about a year but they only have the thick nibbed ones. I'm glad you added all the cautionary tips and reinforced the testing, our climates are all different which may have an effect too.

Joyce said...

Interesting and one of the reasons I love free-motion quilting.

Barb said...

Hi
I'm currently using the "Sewline" marking pencil because it's so nice and thin. I just bought a second one so I can use a light and darker lead at the same time.
Great tip on cleaning stencils.
I have also had great luck with the washable markers - and it did take 2 washings. I've also used clorox2 color safe bleach, which works well and was recommended by Crayola

*karendianne. said...

Wow! Rose Marie this is a great, super informative post. Thanks for sharing. You're the best.

hetty said...

Great info! I've never used Crayola markers. Now I think I will give them a try. Thanks!

Annette said...

Thanks for the information. I am going to try it out.

julieQ said...

Thank you for this. I just marked a quilt with my old stand by blue marker...I will look for these washout ones and give them a try. The quilt you marked is so pretty!

Quilter Kathy said...

That's a lot of great info...thanks!
I want to try the Crayola marker but it seems so scarey to put that colour on a quilt, but I have to trust you that it will come out :)
I want to try a fan pattern for hand quilting next.

Sharon said...

Great post, this is a never ending discussion. Thanks for giving us your road tested product review, I'm going to have to try these!

Sandra said...

Great post on the markers. Will you be machine quilting the Grandmother's Flower Garden? If so, I'd love to see photos of the process. I've never seen this pattern machine quilted. I've been working this pattern for over a year and have been wondering how I'll quilt it.

Karen said...

Your hexagon quilt is beautiful and thanks for all the great information.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this wonderful help in marking!!!