I though I'd share some of the tools I use on a regular basis, to mark fabric.
There are a couple of categories, depending upon what I'm doing.
There are a couple of categories, depending upon what I'm doing.
If I'm tracing templates, I'll usually be marking on the back of the fabric so it won't be seen, I use the following:
(1) #2 pencil - general usage, their everywhere and inexpensive. If you don't press too hard, it usually can't be seen through fabrics.
(2) Mechanical Pencil - this comes in handy for making fine lines, or marking tiny pieces accurately. I also draft quilt patterns with these.
(3) Ball point pen - occasionally used for tracing templates, smoother on fabric surface = quicker tracing. Be careful not to press too firmly, can show through fabrics.
(4) Blue cloth pencil - this I use almost exclusively for marking doll patterns on muslin. It was a quilting tool of my grandmothers. It's actually not a pencil at all, but almost like a waxy colored pencil. Doesn't wash out. But I like the smoothness across muslin and for it's color contrast.
These next few I use primarily for markings cuts when making patchwork and clothing. I like chalk because it's easily erasable with a wet fingertip, handy when drawing!
(5) White Chalk Pencil - this is my general use chalk pencil. it happens to be softer than most, but if your chalk pencil seems to be too hard to leave a line, wet it with the tip of your tongue!
(6) White Chalk Square - I use this one primarily for tracing clothing patterns. The sharp smooth edge runs along the pattern edges.
(7) Multi-Color Chalk Pencil - Here's the special chalk pencil a reader spotted on my table. It's a little over done for my taste, but I enjoy the variety of chalk color refills it comes with. I believe I purchased it at Joann's. I don't use it too often but it's helpful with I need a sharp edge of chalk, which happens with that handy little sharpener!
(8) & (9) Tee Juice Fabric Pens - These beauties I also picked up at a Joann's, but not near the fabric department, more like in the kids t-shirt craft section. They write on fabric beautifully (I have both thin and medium points) and are permanent with heat setting. So I use these for making labels mostly, or drawing permanent doll faces on fabric.
(10) Hera Marker - This is probably the least used tool in my studio. I kinda just keep it around because it looks cool! But some people use it all the time. I've found it's useful for making small marks on fabric, especially special fabrics like velvet's and satin's. I'ts all good for opening seams and acting like a stronger finger presser if that makes sense.
All in all, I'm not too concerned about marks on fabrics. I try to keep all marks to the back side, and definitely use the lightest things I can (#'s 1,2,5) if it must go on the right side of the fabric. I did find that I don't like the yellow chalk in my Multi-Color Chalk Pencil, for some reason it's real hard to get off with just water.
*These are just my thoughts, I'm not being paid for these reviews.
So, have you any thoughts on these tools? Do you use any of them regularly? What's your favorite way to mark fabric?
Happy Saturday!
-M
