What to use to mark on brown fabric

[Sandy F.]

Hi Everyone, I'm trying to finish some hand quilting that's been a UFO for quite a while. I think I put it down because I couldn't find a good way to mark on the brown fabric. Every white chalk pencil I try, the "lead" breaks off and falls out of the tip. So frustrating!!

I've tried silver - can't see it. I don't think the blue marker will show either.

Does anyone have a favorite marking tool that would work on brown? I've not yet tried any of the little powdered "pens" or pouncers. If you tell me they are great, I might!

I've pretty much decided to fill the space with grids using tape to mark the lines for now, but would like to know for the future. Thanks! Nancy in NY

[Sandy F.]

Not sure what it is called, but I have this thing that looks like a big pen. There are different colored "leads" that are actually chalk that go in the "pen" holder. I think the yellow one would work well for you and if is easily removeable.

[Sandy F.]

Hi there!
I have been useing the Fons and Porter white marking pencil on a recent dark fabric project. I'm getting good results. They have it at the Fons and Porter website or if you have a JoAnn's in your area, they have it too.

[Sandy F.]

I use soap slivers....the cheaper the better. Just use a paring knife to slice off a sliver. I try not to use any with lotions in it like Camay, it can sometimes leave a residue. But it will wash out when laundered.
Good luck,
Debbie S.
SW~WA

[Sandy F.]

NancyAnn I've been using a Clover white marking pen (fine) for the back marking on my brown BOM blocks. I haven't fully tried to get rid of the lines yet but they pretty much are gone by the time I've handled the block all month. I think it's a little waxy and is supposed to come off with ironing, and I think on here Betty Ann Seaman (?) said if you leave a marked item in the hot car in Florida the marks will disappear unintentionally!
Florence

[Betty J.]

Nancy, I use Fons and Porter's white mechanical pencil. It comes with an eraser and it's easy to erase. I also use the Clover white pen--it doesn't seem like you are going to see that, but it shows up when it dries, and it removes with a hot iron. Good luck! Cheers, Betty Jo

[Terry K.]

I like the white Clover pen. . .it comes off with a hot iron or soaking in water. Terry

[Teri L.]

have you tried the soapstone marking pencil? I have one that I like...and would be happy to send to you if you'd like.
Email me privately.

Teri

[Teri L.]

here is a site that has a chalk pencil by bohin. It works like the clover white marker, stays on until you iron, but it shows up imediately. http://www.quiltknit.com/notions/marking_tools_2.htm

Chalk comes in many colors. DS told me about this.

Cheryl

[Patti P.]

Nancy Ann, I was having the same problem with my chalk pencil and heard I think it was on Simply Quilts, someone said to used a sharpener specifically for quilting pencils not a school pencil sharpener and it worked for me.

[Patti P.]

I vote for the Bohin...love this product.

FW

[Terry K.]

Be sure to test those colored chalk pencils for removal before marking on your top. . .I had some yellow once that I couldn't get out. . .!!! Terry

[Wanda M.]

I used a white Prismacolor pencil on my BOM. By the time I finished appliqueing the block, the Prismacolor was almost all gone. It showed up fine on all the different colored fabrics. It worked great! I found mine at Hobby Lobby in the art section and it comes in all colors. BTW, this hint came from Suzanne Marshall during her applique class in Houston. Suzanne marks all her applique and hand quilting this way!

[Wanda M.]

I've been using the white pen from Clover for almost all my marking lately. It's wonderful. Make your mark, then blow gently on it to make it come to life quickly (it reacts to something in the air). A warm iron, hair dryer, or just a little water makes it disappear.

[Wanda M.]

Don't faint when you read this. I've been using the Crayola Washable markers that kids use in school. You can buy them for under $2 just about anywhere in a package with a rainbow of colors. I do a lot of scrap quilts, so I often run into problems finding the right product to do the markings.

Of course, you must be planning to wash the finished quilt to remove the markings. The first time I used the washable markers, I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time. I had orange markings all over the quilt and just prayed that they would come out. They did. I've been using this system for over a year, and all the markings come out everytime...even navy blue and black! I usually soak the quilt for at least a couple of hours, just to be sure.

The only drawback I have using this product is that the lines are not very thin. So, it depends just how fine you need the lines to be.