Margo, I know that you like to starch your fabric, but how do you avoid all the mess with starching (ironing board, iron). Do you have a separate work station for starching or do you have a method to avoid mess. Thanks!

Likewise, I've had no problems with the few colors that I use washing out of my quilts. I just wondered if there were problems with the other colors and, from your post, I gather there are none. I don't starch every quilt project, but perhaps for peace of mind where markers, all markers of all types, are concerned I should start doing so. I soak my quilts in the jacuzzi, turning on the bubblers for gentle agitation and then into the washer with Tide Free and Clear followed with a double rinse.

Thanks for link to quilt washing instructions with Orvus Paste - very informative, very scientific, a little intimidating regarding irritants in Orvus - not thrilled about gloving and masking for a laundry product. Still, I want the best for my quilts and if textile conservators (and other knowledgeable quilters) swear by the stuff, I may give it a try.

Thanks.

Mary in Tennessee

I have been using the Crayola brand WASHABLE markers for years, and have never had a problem getting any of them washed out of my quilts.

With that said, I must add that I heavily starch my fabrics as I'm making my tops which provides an extra protective layer and even pencil marks easily wash out.
(I once marked an entire baby quilt with a dense wholecloth design in pencil, and all the marks washed away in the first washing.)

After my quilt is finished I soak it in the washing machine with cool water for about 15 minutes, then drain all that water out of the machine.
I then run the quilt through a regular cycle with a mild detergent and warm water.
I usually use Orvus Paste http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/062513-orvus_paste_soap.html
then rinse the quilt twice, just to be sure all the chemicals are out of it.

You may find this article informative about washing quilts in general: http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/magenta/14/id29.htm

Crayola Washable Markers have been a boon in marking quilt tops; however, I only use the blue, purple, green pens, throwing out the other colors, fearing that they just might leave an unwelcome stain. What has been the experience of others who use these markers? Do all colors wash out equally well? I'm curious as to what others think of this inexpensive tool.

Mary in Tennessee