So I did a sample with the Sewline today. I drew a line on light colored (painted with Setacolor) fabric, then I threw it in the wash, cold water with gentle soap. When I pulled it out of the washer, the pencil was still there, but it was lighter. Any suggestions from someone out there as to what I did wrong, or what else to do to get the marks off? I haven't put it in the dryer yet.
Frances in Austin where it rained today

Great idea to make a sample piece with the markers Margo. I wish I would think about those things before I dive right in. Of course, then I might of never started quilting. lol
Charlotte

I made a set of samples last week-end to test 8 different markers. Because I always wash my quilts, I wanted to see how easily the marks came out in the washer.
It was not exactly scientific research, but was informative.
I used unwashed fabric, two white pieces and two black.
I marked each fabric with the appropriate marker and kept one black and one white as references, then I just threw the other two into a load of regular wash...hot wash/cold rinse/Tide detergent.
One of the markers I tested was the Bohin, and I've decided that I really like the mark that it makes, and every bit came out in the wash. I'll be using this one a lot from now on!

You might want to try a similiar test to see how to get the marks out without running it through a wash cycle.

kimber wrote:
TOTALLY agree with you! Where did you get yours last summer!!! Oh I could have been using them all this time!!!
Do all the colors come out as well as the white does?

I just learned from another webside that Fons & Porter has a "ceramic" marking pencil, there is a Bohin "ceramic" marking pencil as well as the Sewline.

I wasn't aware that Bohin or Fon & Porter had one -- sew I stand corrected.

Regardless try one -- I love mine -- I do use it with a sandboard tho!

Diane

BeardieLover wrote:
Thanks, Diane. Actually, my biggest problem is that I can never see whatever I've put on the fabric, so I use a heavier hand than most. I know, bad me. And the pencils always break. I'm going to try these ceramic babies! Thanks to everyone for the info.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

I picked up a pencil and all the colors last summer and LOVE IT!!! With the thinner lead, I can make more precise markings. I've never had a problem with getting the marks out and they don't wipe off like chalk does.

One of my most favorite tools!

Diane, where did you get yours? I've never heard anything about them?
Charlotte[/quote]

Hi Charlotte!
I saw a little article about them in the March issue of Quilter's Home (page 80) and the reference to purchase at http://www.kindredquilts.com -- they came very quickly and the shipping wasn't very expensive. They also come with 6 refill leads. You only have to purchase the pencil once -- after that it's just buying the refills.

I've been using the Sewline glue stick and love it too -- not as messy -- smaller in circumference -- great cap and it also comes with a refill.

FabricWhisperer wrote:
I also have the Bohin pencil but it's pretty messy and the lines are thick unless you sharpen all the time -- the leads tend to break easily -- with the Sewline the ceramic lead is finer and I haven't had it break . . . yet.

What colors do you have? I'm tempted to try the black -- do you have it and if so how well does it remove? Thanks for letting me know that equilter has them!

Diane

EditorAnne wrote:
Anne!
The lines stay put until you take them out -- I don't use a heavy hand when I mark -- I'm sure you don't either.

Diane

To answer all . . .

I bought mine from http://www.kindredquilts.com and got it really quickly!

They come in colors -- black, white, green, pink and yellow
I only purchased the white.

The marks come off with water (before ironing) or you can erase them off with the eraser at the end of the pencil and yes, for once they really do erase off without fabric distortion -- at least with the white they did!

For marking my applique pieces I use a sandboard and the pencil really works well with it -- nice thin lines and the best is no sharpening!!

I "tested" it out on a cranberry red fabric -- lines came out!

I swear I'm the queen of trying out every fabric marker out there!

I have the Bohin mechanical pencil and the sewline .9mm pencil leads work in the Bohin.

e-quilter carries the pencils and the lead...
http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_search.html

I love the ceramic lead...it is water soluble and made for fabrics. Since it is not chalk..from my experience it stays on until you take it off.
I also like that comes in different colors...like green, yellow, pink.

FW

Do the lines rub off before you want them to? That seems to be the problem I have with all chalk-based markers.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada.

BeardieLover wrote:
Diane, where did you get yours? I've never heard anything about them?
Charlotte