Best way to mark fabric?
I hope this is the right place to ask this question, but I've been meaning to work on a bigger project (not the super big ones where no fabric is left, but bigger than a hoop size, if that makes sense?) soon and was thinking of pre-marking the fabric, because I get super frustrated when I miscount and realise it only halfway through...I've seen those water soluble marker pens, some even claim that they disappear after a few days. Has anyone had any experience and can recommend some?
People seem to have had good experiences with the DMC marker pen but I've read that some had problems washing the colour out, so that worries me.
Any advice would be great! yes!! i got my marker at michaels. it’s blue and bright which made me skeptical but it works!!! it disappears immediately and it doesn’t stain ! static/image/common/user_online.gif weestitcher123 static/image/common/clock.gif 2023-10-14 16:12
That's so helpful, thank you! And do you just use two threads like a cross or do you do the whole...
I continue the grid work for the entire piece of fabric depending on the size of the design.. I use one strand of sewing thread in a color that will stand out from the design. I’ve also heard a lot of folks are using a monofilament thread or a wire specifically made for this so you don’t pierce the gridding thread. I’ve used a sewing thread for 50 years and just stay with what I know works.
I looked at some sites on you tube last night and there are many videos showing gridding. They mostly seem more confusing than helpful but the principal is there. The whole point is to get your fabric to look like your chart so you will know the moment your stitch is not in the wrong place. I’ll keep looking.
When I set up for stitching I first prepare my fabric by folding the fabric in half lengthwise and give it a hard press. I then do the same thing crosswise. Prepare a long thread (sufficient to go from side to side with extra and another to go from top to bottom with extra) bring you needle up at the crosshairs of the fold and then down five threads farther down the fold. Be sure to stay on this thread all the way across this line going five threads up and five threads down until the end making certain you leave enough thread to finish the other side. Rethread the remaining thread and continue the five up, five down to the opposite side. Repeat for the other direction. Be careful to grid from the middle out so the grid is consistent both ways. This insures that if I’m going to miscount it will be caught within 5 stitches. I’m certain there are sites that will explain this much better. I will look around for one with diagrams to post here to help you out.
I used to use the washout markers but you’ll only do it until the first time they don’t wash out or heat out as the case may be. Edited by petrica at 2023-10-18 17:57
I mark the grid only on the outside and it matches exactly the printed outline. Use sewing thread. I go up and down the stitch every 2 stitches of fabric and make marks every 10 stitches.
Something like this |__ __ __| __ __ |
And I make a longer sign to mark the centers of each side.
This system has always worked for me, in small and generally large designs, round and square frames.
Sometimes I also make a rectangular frame of the appropriate size so that I can see all the fabric.
Yo marco la cuadrícula solo en la parte exterior y que coincida exactamente con el esquema impreso. Utilizo hilo de coser. Subo y bajo la puntada cada 2 puntos de tela y hago marcas cada 10 puntos.
Algo así |__ __ __| __ __ |
Y hago una seña más larga para marcar los centros de cada lado.
Este sistema me ha funcionado desde siempre, en diseños pequeños y generalmente grandes, bastidores redondos y cuadrados.
A veces también me fabrico un bastidor rectangular del tamaño adecuado y así tener toda la tela a la vista.
I gridded my first project with a monofilament thread (Sulky Sliver) recently and while gridding definitely makes it easier, I'm not sure if I will continue to do it that way due to the time.
I also have gotten some Leonis brand washable markers that I saw recommended for gridding to try next. I think I might try them on a scrap of coloured aida and leave it for as long as possible (while I complete other projects sort of leaving it) before washing it out, I'd hate to grid with a marker that washes out when it's fresh, but when it's been on there for a long time find it's stained the fabric because of how long it took to finish the project. Edited by YarnCatnip at 2023-11-6 04:14
All ways to mark fabric is risky: best to do a test first to see if it will wash off.
Chalk: I've had issues with chalk (white and blue) on linen fabric. It won't rub off, or it won't show.
Air Dry: For sashiko projects I've found ink markers that disappear ideal. The ink really do go away, but sometimes within an hour. So best for quick projects, like sashiko.
Water soluble: I've tried some (very cheap) water soluble ink markers, not with great success. The "heads" of the pen was too broad, the colors weak, and ink stayed on at least one fabric. But it might be a "you get what you pay for" thing. At last! I found a couple of you tube videos that show a close proximity to how I do my centering and gridding. Go to you tube and look up Peacock and Fig. She has separate videos on both processes. She uses fishing wire where I just use thread. It’s worth a try. It makes sense. I’ve just never had any problems with using thread. Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me. static/image/common/user_online.gif KDH static/image/common/clock.gif 2023-10-15 00:24
At last! I found a couple of you tube videos that show a close proximity to how I do my centering an ...
Thank you so much! This helped a lot. I think I'll do the gridding with a thread, too. It would be a shame if the pen doesn't wash out in the end.
Also, you've been stitching for 50 years?? That's freaking amazing! Now I feel like a baby, haha. :o Great question Weestitcher123. I have never used a marking pen so I have no advice but look forward to hearing from others who have.
Thanks to all who answer with advice and their experiences:) static/image/common/user_online.gif KDH static/image/common/clock.gif 2023-10-14 11:52
When I set up for stitching I first prepare my fabric by folding the fabric in half lengthwise and g ...
That's so helpful, thank you! And do you just use two threads like a cross or do you do the whole grid? And do you find it hard to not stitch that thread into your pattern or do you take it out as you go along? I use chalk. If you mess up, you can easily dim it by rubbing it. It also comes off when you use water, so no need to worry about staining.
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