Help with marking pens/pencils

[Robin G.]

Ok, I have general's white charcoal pencils which I absolutely love for marking my applique pieces. HOWEVER, what do you do when you are using black & white fabric as the applique piece??? Anyone come across this and have a solution? Also, where can we buy different colors of General's. I heard or read someone said there were other colors.

[Margo C.]

How many colors do you want?? http://www.dickblick.com/products/ge...encils/#photos

I've never tried anything but the white and silver for marking fabric, and strongly suggest that you test the wash ability of any other colors before you mark the whole quilt.

You also might want to read the comments on this forum topic: http://forum/i-need-quilting-related...shable-markers

[Margo C.]

Thanks Margo. I am curious though. I'm real new to needle turn applique and wonder, you mention that you use silver. Are you using a silver chalk pencil or something else? I have tried other pencils such as Roxanne's but they don't mark well for me. Maybe I am doing something wrong. But, everyone seems to mention using silver, is that easily visable? Do you use that on everything that won't show white?

[Margo C.]

Sharon, I used to use the chalk pencils (like the ones you asked about), but now I like to use Berol brand "Aquarelle" pencils the I get from my local fine arts shop.
A Google search turns up lots of sources for the Verithin pencils that Alex recommends.

If you are new to needleturn, you might be interested in reviewing my tutorials for the very first TQS BOM where I showed how I do needleturned applique:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562185015aGQwDk

You might also be interested to know that some appliquers even use a permanent Micron Pigma pen to trace their outlines! You just have to make sure that the mark is turned completely under, because it will NOT wash out!

Keep trying different methods until you find one that you are comfortable with! It would be a good idea to go back through all of the past TQS episodes that feature applique artists who do needleturn techniques and see all of the different methods that they use! I would start with episodes 203, 210, 310, 404, 611, & 806.

[Terry K.]

Be careful with the General's marking pencils. A couple years ago, I took a class from Nancy Chong http://prqc.com/and although General marking pencils were her favorites, she said that the pencil was made by a different manufacturer now and the pencil was not only sub quality (marking point was always breaking); but more importantly, the marks didn't remove like the older style did. She was looking for a replacement to the General marking pencil.

If the marks don't have to stay long, consider a Bohne pencil. http://www.needlenthread.com/2009/04...mbroidery.html My favorite quilt store carries them. Be careful using the colored chalks as sometimes those don't come out of your fabric. Test the marker on a sample before using it on your project.

[Margo C.]

Thanks Terry! Great information! I also love the Bohn markers, but only use the white.

[Margo C.]

All good advice. Nothing better than that which comes from people who have tried and learned (sometimes the hard way). I read the posts on the crayola washable markers and like what I read. I also like my Generals chalk pencils but think I am going to be careful as suggested with the colors. Maybe using the white for everything I can and then filling in with the erasable markers on the light colors. I have a couple practice tops that I want to hand quilt before trying my real top. Have 7 months before our first grandchild gets here so I have some time. Funny, I heard I was going to be a grandma and that appliqued top is coming together faster than anything I've done in the past!!!!!!!! Gee, think I'm excited much??? LOL

Thanks Ladies.........Sharon

[Bonnie J.]

Sharon: A grandbaby would make my energy level go up too! Enjoy your preparations and keep all things in God's hands.