For those who are rather new to quilting, you 'll find that there are as many ranges of styles and methods as there are quilters. Everybody has their own techniques, ideas and habits.
One thing that is almost universal are marking pencils.
So what are marking pencils?
Marking pencils are primarily designed to help quilters mark out and measure fabrics by leaving a mark that's solid, although not permanent.
You use a marking pencil to mark where you want to cut, stitch or make a note for later on in your project. The idea is that these marks will come out as quickly as the quilt is put in the wash.
Are there different types of pencils?
Yes, there are numerous differing types of pencils, made from different companies. Generally marking pencils come in many different shades and colours. This is so that you can choose a color that sticks out on the colour of the fabric it is employed. You can also get white pencils as well.
Because there are such a wide range of fabric types that these pencils can be employed on, different pencils may require more pressure applied or repeated applications to make the lines more conspicuous, for example, you would want to utilise a red or black marking pencil so it stands out on a green quilt design.
There is also a range or pencils that are designed to be wiped away by hand. These are neat if you cannot wash the fabric for any basis.
Any other tips?
If you've never used a marking pencil before or are uncertain whether it will work well with the fabric you want to use it on, make a little mark somewhere discrete on the fabric. Then put it through the wash to establish if it'll wash out or not.
If it does not wash out or leaves 'ghost images ' then avoid using it on your fabric.
If you have never used a marking pencil before, make sure you pick one up next time you are out shopping. It will make your quilting so much easier!
One thing that is almost universal are marking pencils.
So what are marking pencils?
Marking pencils are primarily designed to help quilters mark out and measure fabrics by leaving a mark that's solid, although not permanent.
You use a marking pencil to mark where you want to cut, stitch or make a note for later on in your project. The idea is that these marks will come out as quickly as the quilt is put in the wash.
Are there different types of pencils?
Yes, there are numerous differing types of pencils, made from different companies. Generally marking pencils come in many different shades and colours. This is so that you can choose a color that sticks out on the colour of the fabric it is employed. You can also get white pencils as well.
Because there are such a wide range of fabric types that these pencils can be employed on, different pencils may require more pressure applied or repeated applications to make the lines more conspicuous, for example, you would want to utilise a red or black marking pencil so it stands out on a green quilt design.
There is also a range or pencils that are designed to be wiped away by hand. These are neat if you cannot wash the fabric for any basis.
Any other tips?
If you've never used a marking pencil before or are uncertain whether it will work well with the fabric you want to use it on, make a little mark somewhere discrete on the fabric. Then put it through the wash to establish if it'll wash out or not.
If it does not wash out or leaves 'ghost images ' then avoid using it on your fabric.
If you have never used a marking pencil before, make sure you pick one up next time you are out shopping. It will make your quilting so much easier!
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Interested in more green quilt design ideas? Then head on over to Jane Green's how to make a patchwork quilt site now!