I have learned a lot during the past year while testing the different marking products made for quilters. Many of the results were disappointing which has prompted further investigating and testing. The problem is- when we use a marking product on our quilt that advertises it is easy to remove, we expect just that. How often do you read the instructions or worse yet-, can't because you threw the package away when you opened it. My goal is to find a market that is 1. Easy to see (if you cannot see the line, why bother) 2. The line is fine enough to avoid distortion in the design you are sewing, 3. It is easily removed (the BIGGIE) and 4. Does not cause discoloration on your quilt down the road (the brown spot dilemma we've all heard about)

One important factor to consider - ARE YOU WILLING TO WASH YOUR QUILT? IF you use starch, sizing, markers, glue, etc you definitely should be planning to wash the quilt when done. But remember, if you are not planning to wash your quilt, be very careful what you mark with.

The good news - every white,( chalk or chemical), I have tested washed out with water in the washing machine. Even the brands that their counterpart on white did not. So at this time my focus is on the markers made for lighter or white fabrics.

On light fabrics, many marking products fail. Many that specify they come out with water didn't, and worse, the special instructions for removal were labor intensive. (like erasing them with a special eraser, imagine doing that on a queen size quilt)

If you are not planning to wash your quilt, the best products I have found are Air Erasable and Miracle Chalk. The Miracle Chalk comes in 3 ways, a powder, chubby crayon or soap slivers. I find I use the soap slivers a lot to mark vines for feathers etc. To remove these marks you just need steam. So I hold the iron above the quilt (NOT TOUCH IT) and spray steam, the marks then disappear. The powder is great for stencils, but don't pounce. I prefer to put the chalk in a plastic container and use a childs paintbrush to apply. Otherwise you have too much and the chalk bounces around while you quilt. AIR ERASABLE markers (come primarily in purple) also work well, and I use them a lot to mark registration lines and small motifs. One word of warning, the lines do disappear, sometimes quicker than you would like. I use these markers a lot when I work on customer quilts - because I have no idea if you plan to wash them.

If you are planning to wash your quilt, your options improve. Every blue watersoluble marker I tested came out when washed. The good news here, is that the line is easy to mark, easy to see, comes in a fine point, and doesn't disappear before you are ready for it to. The key to removal is a thorough rinsing in the washing machine with NO laundry detergent. (some detergents have a chemical that can cause the brown horror spots we have all heard of.) Once it is rinsed, you can wash with detergent if needed. The negative - DO NOT have your quilt near any heat source. WINDOW, IRON,CAR, etc . Heat will make the marks permanent. I use the watersoluble markers most of the time on my own quilts, but remember - I wash all my quilts and block them.

What if you already marked your quilt with one of the markers that didn't come out? After being asked this question, I did some additional testing with a product designed to help marks come out. I used MPR - Marking-Pencil Remover. It is a liquid made by Quilter's Rule Int'l Inc. I took the markers that did not come out in my original test and tried the MPR to see if there was any improvement. The complete success was the Clover Mechanical Marking pencil in the graphite and pink. This was the marker that started it all for me. The other markers I tested - Roxanne's, Fons and Porter watersoluble graphite, Fons and porter Blue marker and Generals Blue Chalk. All of these markers significantly lightened, but did not completely disappear. The fading was enough to call it successful if you were faced with the disaster of not getting the marks out at all. The Generals Blue chalk was the most visible of the group.

The only disadvantage of using this product, is if your project is large, it is a lot of surface area to pump spray (a bit rough on the hands after a while). However, if you have marks you need out - I may consider it worth it. I still do not plan on using these markers if I have a suitable alternative that comes out with less difficulty.

So far most other markers made specifically for quilters have failed to come out. As I find new markers I test them. On my website, I have more detailed information you can refer to about the markers tested as well as instructions on their removal if you have already used them.

I hope you find this information helpful. I will continue to add information as manufacturers give me new information regarding their products, new products come on the market, or a tip comes my way that is helpful. If you have heard of something you would like checked out, just let me know.

Marking Your Quilt

Summary