marking pen

Pam, spitting nails is a very effective way to work off frustrations; go for it. And not wanting to get in the way but you might try a plain old sliver of bath soap. That is, of course if you're just marking plain straight lines. I save soap slivers and keep them in the refrigerator (sealed in a zip so my meatloaf doesn't taste like Irish Spring). I've been using them for simple marking for more than 50 years and have never had a problem with the slivers. Polly

Howdy!

Uh..try the NOT disappearing marker?

I use the MarksBGone and the EZ International and WonderMarker blue markers that WASH out; never had a problem with them, the color stays until I wash it out. And it does wash out.

Good luck!

Ragmop/Sandy

I have a chalk marker that I like. I holds powdered chalk and spreads a fine line of chalk with a wheel that turns as you move the penlike marker.

Betty in WI

Pam, it all depends on what color I'm marking. I like the blue washout markers for lighter fabrics. The darker ones either get a chalk wheel or a peach-colored Prismacolor pencil (cheap and available in most any art supply store or Michael's-type place). I keep meaning to try that new pounce powder that comes off with heat, but I keep forgetting!

I like the fine-tip Crayola washable markers. They have always washed out nicely for me. I do try to use a color that has as little contrast as possible and yet I can still see it. For example, on light blue, I'd use a blue marker; that way if washing leaves traces of color, it shouldn't be noticeable. But they've always washed completely out for me.

Julia in MN

Things I've used successfully (some more annoying than others):

Things I've used that didn't work:

What I'm going to try on the next suitable quilt:

If I were quilting a grid, Pam, I would use masking tape and actually stick it to the quilt. I would use a guide 'thingy' after the first one, though, so that the tackiness wouldn't have time to get transferred to the quilt surface. If you have some quarter inch tape, that is great, but it might be tough to get it stuck on in a straight line - if the distance is long. . In message , Pam in Spencerport writes

And, of course, the lines will wash out just fine >g< . In message , Polly Esther writes

I use the wash out marker too. It is very reliable. One caution is NOT to put heat on the marks as they can become permanent. Fortunately I was warned before it happened to me. YMMV

Linda in Tx

So you've been using soap slivers for quilt marking for more then 50 years and you were born on Oct 12, 2000? WOW, that's impressive! LOL Thanks for the laugh!

And don't leave projects in a hot car in a hot state like Fla. or Tex.

Anna Belle in Palm Bay