[null, {"document_url": "http://dianegaudynski.blogspot.com/2009/07/markers.html", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_61Bl3HLoPiY/SmYetutJdZI/AAAAAAAAAFA/buo7YL66vPA/s400/markers.jpg", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_61Bl3HLoPiY/SmYetutJdZI/AAAAAAAAAFA/buo7YL66vPA/s400/markers.jpg", "formatted_filename": "markers"}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://dianegaudynski.blogspot.com/2009/07/markers.html", "unformatted_src": "http://www.embroideryonline.com/images/assets/Embroidery-Online.jpg", "src": "http://www.embroideryonline.com/images/assets/Embroidery-Online.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Embroidery Online", "alt_text": "Embroidery Online"}, null, null, {"document_url": "http://dianegaudynski.blogspot.com/2009/07/markers.html", "unformatted_src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KKbkFa_FUlw/Up4HKgOnRzI/AAAAAAAABJs/tZJUKCNJ_Kk/s1600/qwhimsy.jpg", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KKbkFa_FUlw/Up4HKgOnRzI/AAAAAAAABJs/tZJUKCNJ_Kk/s1600/qwhimsy.jpg", "formatted_filename": "qwhimsy", "alt_text": "Digitized Quilting Designs", "rendered_width": 220, "rendered_height": 165}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://dianegaudynski.blogspot.com/2009/07/markers.html", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_61Bl3HLoPiY/TDSRLW_domI/AAAAAAAAAYk/qKtpYSm5DY8/S220/bookspiral.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_61Bl3HLoPiY/TDSRLW_domI/AAAAAAAAAYk/qKtpYSm5DY8/S220/bookspiral.jpg", "formatted_filename": "bookspiral", "alt_text": "Book #1", "rendered_width": 220, "rendered_height": 183}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]




Posted by Diane Gaudynski at 3:01 PM Labels: machine quilting, markers, quilt shops kwiltmakr said...

I have always been afraid of those blue ink markers that disappear, I have heard from several people the marks come back. Maybe they didn't do it right and rinse it all out. I may try one again after reading your post. Thanks

July 21, 2009 at 4:11 PM 
I've heard stories of marks returning or not coming out too. I've used these since they first came on the market, more than 20 years ago probably, and have never had a problem, even with quilts where the quilting took many months. I'm careful though - I wouldn't take a marked top and leave it in my hot car in the summer, for instance.

And it might depend on the brand, how it is washed, and so on. I guess when all else fails, read the tiny tiny tiny print on the packaging first! Time for the big magnifying lens I keep handy for everything nowadays.....

July 21, 2009 at 6:18 PM 
I too have heard the horror stories, and have been very leary of using the pens. Do you know if the sizing left on the fabric has any effect on the pen markings? I usually pre-wash my fabric.

July 21, 2009 at 7:15 PM 
HCQ - The sizing may have an effect, good thought.

I know there are two camps in quilting: never wash fabric before piecing, and always wash fabric. I am in the second camp. I always pre-wash, and I usually press before cutting with a bit of my own starch recipe which is just plain old Argo corn starch in your kitchen cupboard and water.

The removal of any finishing chemicals, plus the addition of the starch might prevent any interaction of the marker and fabric.

But, then again, I have marked with the blue washout markers on red silk dupioni right off the bolt and had no problems at all. I did rinse out that small quilt in cool water when finished though. Just sayin'......

July 21, 2009 at 7:21 PM 
I have used the blue markers for many years and NEVER a problem removing with cool water. I have to admit that I do not always prewash my fabric and still no problem with the markers. The two rules I remember from Diane's classes are to use a "light hand" when applying and never iron before removing the marker. Joan

July 21, 2009 at 9:34 PM 
Joan - I think a light hand is really important. Not only is the mark sitting on top of the fabric (maybe only in my mind, but that's what I'd like to think anyway), but the pen tip stays nicer longer, and the ink lasts longer, plus you get a better, more precise mark.

I don't know if the formulation for the blue ink has changed since they first appeared on the market, but recently I did press a blue mark on cotton while making a quilt sleeve, and it did come out with a spritz of water. Another thing to keep in mind is in humid weather a marked line can disappear very quickly.

July 21, 2009 at 10:25 PM 
Thank you for some great tips on selecting the best type of marker.

July 22, 2009 at 3:24 PM 
You are welcome! Best advice from me is to test your marker and try new things as they are developed for us.

July 22, 2009 at 3:51 PM 
So great to see you blogging!!!!!!

July 23, 2009 at 7:30 AM 
Hey Ms. Feather - nice to hear from you, and it's good to be blogging!

July 23, 2009 at 7:58 AM 
Like the tip on quilting just next to the line...thanks!

The only time I have ever had a problem with the blue marker is when I left my marked quilt in the car all day in the Georigia summer heat...guess that is a lot like using an iron!

July 25, 2009 at 11:30 AM 
When first using the blue markers I'd spray my quilt when finished, and found the marks came back over time, a year later as bright as the day I'd marked them. I've since learned that the secret to success is what you do - immerse the quilt. I've been doing that for years now and haven't had a problem since.

July 27, 2009 at 2:21 AM 
That is really scary - to have them come back as bright as ever a year later! The secret is to treat the quilt after it's marked very carefully (no hot car trunks, no leaving it in sunbeams on your table or machine, etc.)and yes, immerse it in cool water when done and thoroughly remove the ink, even in the batting.

July 27, 2009 at 8:57 AM