What is the best way to "mark" a quilt pattern when quilting on white fabric with white thread?

Question

Tracing onto Golden Threads paper and printing the pattern on Vellum have both caused colored marks or shading of the white quilting thread.

Answer 1

You might try one of the new  Pilot Frixon ball pens to mark your quilt.  It comes in all colors.  It is just like a regular pen and can be bought at any office supply store.  It puts a fine mark on your fabric and will disappear if you touch an iron to it.  I would test it on your fabric first but I am using one right now and it is great.

Comments

I understand that the marks come back if the quilt is put in the freezer or in the cold.

Answer 2

Instead of using a a pen or pencil to mark the lines on the Golden Threads paper, Mark it just once then stack a dozen or more sheets of paper and stitch on the lines through all layers with an unthreaded needle. Hopefully you will be able to follow the needle holes as you stitch.

I don't like the blue chalk or the iron away stuff either. What I have done to mark my own quilt with a stencil is to color some white chalk with a bit of cinnamon. Some people are concerned that it could attract bugs but actually it is supposed to repel ants.  On the other hand, I washed it right after quilting.

Smells good too.

Hope this helps.

Gayle Bong

Answer 3

It can be problematic marking for white on white. I've used some good chalks but they can leave some residue that has to be washed out.

Here are two suggestions:

Lay out the new "Press n' Seal" Glad Wrap over your pattern and trace the design onto it with a permanent viz a viz type marker. (These are made for writing on plastic and bond to the plastic so they shouldn't rub off onto your thread.) Then "stick" it on the quilt and stitch right through it.  Tear it away when you've finished.  You'll have to get out all of the plastic though, since it carries the marks and if it's left under a stitch it might show.

Another method is to trace the pattern onto bridal tuille with a permanent marker.  You can lay the tuile on the quilt, draw over the lines with a chalk pencil and the chalk will go through the fabric and onto the quilt.  You will also end up with a permanent copy of the pattern ready to mark again in another block or on another quilt.

How about a fluorescing chalk.  (I haven't tried it - just a thought!) You'd have to use a "black light" so you could see it, but it wouldn't be visible in daylight and would also wash out.

Best of luck, Judy Lyon