I didn't know if the marks would wash out so I wanted a color that I could live with if they didn't.
You can see in the photos below how the marks looked on the fabrics. (Click the photos to enlarge them. They'll open in a new window and you'll be able to click again to see them even larger.)
The marks were harder to see after I'd quilted over them. I wondered if they would wash out. I could live with the quilt if they didn't but I hoped they would come out.
After the first wash and dry there were only the slightest traces of colored pencil on a few of the blocks. I wasn't worried about them because they didn't stand out or distract from the quilt as a whole. By the second wash and dry there was no trace of colored pencil on any of the blocks.
I don't know the content of the colored leads in the pencils and it's possible that they contain acid or something else that would damage the fabric over time. Should this quilt last for a hundred years, it's possible the lead would eat through the fabric and make holes, but I doubt that would happen. Of course, I can't imagine this quilt being around that long anyway.
When I hand quilt I usually use masking tape to mark straight lines, use a seam as a guide, or do free-hand Baptist Fans. I used a lead pencil once and now Prismacolor pencils. In one of Gwen Marston's books she recommended Berol Verithin white or silver pencils, Berol Karisma pencils, and graphite Aquarelle pencils. Not having access to any of those, I tried Prismacolor.
Though the Prismicolor pencils do not make a fine line and needed frequent sharpening, I liked using them. It wasn't too hard to mark on the quilt and I was pleased that the color washed out. I would use the them again. One thing I would not do is use a pencil in a color that is a high contrast to the fabric in the quilt -- never black on a white quilt -- even though it would probably wash out.
Have you ever used colored pencils on a quilt or do you have some favorite way to mark a quilt?
--Nancy.
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I've never tried Prismacolor pencils, very good to know they wash out easily. Your quilt is lovely, so summery and the bullseye quilting is just perfect! I've used the crayola ultra clean washable markers for several of my quilts and have been very happy with the ease of washing them out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kinds words about the quilt, Pat, and also for the suggestion of the Crayola washable markers. I think I used them once (probably not the ultra clean, but washable one) for some small project and was pleased with how they washed out. The line was a little thick but then maybe I wasn't using the thinnest ones they have. Perhaps I'll buy a pack and give them a try again some time.
DeleteLove this post - what a pretty quilt - and the pencil recommendation. I usually use Washable Crayola Markers... and I freely use very dark colors on light fabrics - the marks wash out completely. For something hand quilted though, I would like to try your colored pencil idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cynthia. I used washable Crayola markers once to mark some small project (I can't remember what) and thought they were a little wide and had trouble staying in the center of the line. But maybe the markers I used weren't the narrowest ones. I think I'll look for a package and try them.
DeletePrismas are wax based so maybe the hot water in the wash melts most of them off...What a lovely quilt--so soft and comforting looking hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julierose. I didn't realize that Prismacolors were wax based. That makes me hesitant to use them now. I'll have to keep an eye on this quilt to see if I notice any residue, especially since I didn't wash it in hot water! Thanks for letting me know.
DeleteIt is a lovely finish, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteI have mostly used chalk pens and pencils, a pounce pad and chalk, and Clover brand (I think) pens that wash away.
Thank you, Janet. This is a last year's quilt, or maybe the year before. I just remembered that I'd forgotten to post about marking with Prismacolor. Others suggested washable Crayola markers and I commented that I'd tried them once and the line was so wide but thinking about it, the line with the Prismacolors was not any narrower. Does the Clover marker have a narrow tip? The only other marking utensil I've used was a regular pencil, which didn't wash out very well, though it eventually did.
DeleteThis quilt has turned out so lovely. Good information on the pencils. I'm glad they washed out. I usually just like to stitch in the ditch for two reasons. One, I don't have to take the time to make the quilting lines and two, it's so easy. But, sometimes a quilt just calls for more. The more you put into this quilt really enhances the design. It was also interesting the hear that people use crayola washable markers. Hmmmm
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robin. Since I press my seams open I don't think I can stitch in the ditch, though I love the look of it on quilts. Sometimes I stitch alongside the seams, depending on the quilt, of course. I tried washable Crayola for some small project once and thought the line was wide -- it seemed to bleed into the sides of the line, though it probably wasn't any wide than the Prismacolor line. I really like not marking quilts but sometimes it's just necessary.
DeleteGreat quilt. I also use Prismacolor pencils and have had a problem with them
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karrin. You wrote, " I also use Prismacolor pencils and have had a problem with them". Did you mean you didn't have a problem or, if you have had a problem, what was it? Just curious to clarify, especially if there is a problem I should be concerned about so as not to use Prismacolor again.
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