World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of October 6, 1997:
Our question this week comes from Teresa Gomoke
I was told childrens washable crayola markers work well for marking
quilt lines, and that they are cheaper and better then the blue
mark-be-gone markers. Is this true?
Deb :
I think I understand your question, as I deal with Washable crayons and markers everyday.
Well, I agree with the Test, Test, and retest suggestions! But, you can get the very fine line washable markers and I would think that they would work fine. But, perhaps you'd need to use the very light colors. Let me know what you find out if you do decide to test it, love to know!!
Good Luck! Oh, and you might contact crayola to see EXACTLY how they recomend to do the washing.
deb dvl@hotmail.com
amy meaux and meredith lee :
Of course! However, we have taken to using permanent markers because we feel it adds a personal touch. :) <><
Ann Kroll :
NO NO This is not true!! The crayons flake and do not leave a fine line for quilting. Cheaper use thin pieces of left over soap.(White soap) My son made a quilt in 1976 with these crayons and we have washed the quilt many times and the colors are still bright and beautiful. He colored on paper and than I ironed them on the fabric. Any little crumbs that I didn't see melted on the fabric!! He won 1st prize at our local fair. (age 11) Use them for what they were designed. I'm glad you asked this question.
Patpiecer :
I certainly would not try it on anything
good.
Kim Wiggins :
I have two sons who use the washable markers made by Crayola, and they seem to wash out of their clothes just fine. However, I've used the washable markers for quilting and had a VERY bad experience with it (thankfully, it was a wall hanging for one son's bedroom). I carefully followed every direction, and was extremely disappointed. Therefore, I'll never use any product that claims it washes out, or disappears. I use only chalk pouncers and marking pencils. Better safe than sorry.
Grace Platts :
No,i Like to us erasable colored pencil, so I CAN SHARPEN IN A PENCIL SHARPENER
Paulette :
I would NEVER use a wax crayon on my babies. I use a soap stone or a white marking pencil specially designed for stenciling.
On really light fabric I sometimes use a very light pencil. The lines wash right out and my masterpieces always get raves.
Estelle McClurg :
I can't imagine a quilter saying such a thing either. I use a water soluble marker with a fine line. There are a couple of have tos that go with them - 1) NEVER NEVER iron the item or expose it to a heat source before immersing into water, and 2) never never put soap, detergent or any such in the water. Heat and soap/detergent can and often do set the marker and it either never comes out or it reappears. I've had excellent results from using the marker and then immersing the whole quilt into cold water until all marks are gone, and then rinsing again. I usually do this in the washing machine. Note: I do not agitate the quilt, I put the quilt in the washing machine, fill it full of cold (not warm) water, and then scoosh it up and down until all marks are gone. Then I run the rinse cycle and then repeat the whole process, and then dry in the dryer. Never had a problem.
lin humphrey :
Better and cheaper???, yes probably cheaper...but as with anything...you'll get what you pay for. Better?.. that I doubt very much. There has been many items presented to generations of quilters as "better" only to find they are NOT what was expected. I have heard absolute horror stories about quilt tops with the blue pen marking that had been put away for years and when it was brought out every line where the pen had been used was gone, disolved completely. Which goes to show that some very odd things can happen even with the products that are developed and tested for use on the fine cottons we use in quilting. I spend too much money on my equipment, too much money on the fabrics and way too much of my time designing and sewing a quilt top to subject it to using a childrens marker just because it is washable, and inexpensive. I'll stick to the non-invasive stuff, thanks.
Judith :
I have used the washable fine-line markers for a couple of years with no problems. I am careful not to expose the marked fabric to heat (eg. direct sunlight or ironing). After the project is completed, I simply wash it gently in cold water and "presto" the marks are gone. I have never had any problems removing the marks or having them return at a later date. The fine line and choice of colours are two added conveniences. As with any marking device, a light hand should be used.
Sandy :
I'm leery of using any marker not specifically recommended for fabric by the manufacturer. The blue mark-be-gone is so good, why an alternative experiment? Just wash marked fabric/quilt in cold water only, first, before using any soap to make marks disappear. . Good luck.
Tina :
I have never tried marking with these markers. However, I do have a 2 and 4 y/o who have given it thier best shot at designing their own clothing with them and they have always washed out just fine. I don't know how you would get avery fine line though with this type of marker..
Kayce :
You're talking about the MARKERS, not WAX CRAYONS...I've never tried them but it would make sense if they wash out - the mark-be-gone markers can show up as shadows months down the road. As with any other marking product, TEST it before using on that masterpiece
Mima :
Who told you THAT? These crayons can be used by children to draw on fabric, then you iron them with a dry iron and the heat makes them permanent. I can't imagine a QUILTER telling you to use these as marking pens!
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