Quilt Marking with Blue Washout Marker, Carolina Lily Quilt

Some quilts require a more formal approach to quilting designs. To me, that means the designs are regular and near-identical in size and shape. Striking terror in the hearts of MANY longarm quilters, the design must be marked in some manner.

TUTORIAL: QUILT MARKING WITH A BLUE WASHOUT MARKER
tools required:

• doctor paper, or some other strong paper for design work
  
• blue washout marker
• stiletto (for sewing - NOT a pair of sexy shoes)
• soft surface, ie. foam, styrofoam, ironing board
• old toothbrush & plain (plain) water
  

I start by making a design on 'doctor paper' - the stuff on the bed in the doctor's office that you lay on when you go for your bi-annual you-know-what. It is thin, translucent and strong. After all, it can support MY butt without tearing.

I lay the pattern on a hunk of foam (or styrofoam, or an ironing board). Using a stiletto I poke holes approximately every half inch.



I lightly pin the holey pattern on to the quilt top and use a blue washout marker to put little blue dots on the top.



I use Clover markers.




Quilt, using the dots as a guideline.





Remove the dots with a bit of water on a toothbrush. You can also purchase a pen filled with water, from Clover.




Ta Da!!

As a caution, ALWAYS TEST THAT THE MARKER WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY. I use an inside seam allowance to make a few marks on EVERY different fabric which will be marked. I leave the marks overnight and remove them the next day. If they come out I feel confident to mark a quilt.