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Moderated by EleanorSews
Posted on: 5/26/08 3:04 PM ET
I've read several posts on what people use to mark their fabric, but the one question I have is about pressing over these markings. Most pattern instructions and advice I've read on these message boards say to press your seams as your sew, but most marking device instructions warn you not to iron over the marks. Does this mean you have to remove your pattern markings first before you press the seam? This seems like a tedious procedure, and if you have to do so, but then decide that for some reason you have to rip out the seam & resew it, then you have to go back & mark your fabric again.
Following is a list of seam marking items/methods that I've gleaned from the message boards and I was wondering if any of these are safer than others if you do iron over them. Which things are more likely to disappear or wash out even if you do iron over them? I know the particular fabric one is using needs to be taken into consideration, but I'm looking for a general answer to help me decide which items/methods to try first.
1) disappearing marker
2) water soluable marker
3) soapstone
4) soap slivers
5) Crayola blackboard chalk
6) tailor's chalk
7) Chaco Liner
8) Chakoner
9) dressmaker's carbon paper
10) dressmaker's waxed paper
11) Clover chalk tracing paper
12) Saral waxless paper
13) Sally's graphite paper
14) lead pencils (which #? - 2?)
15) white water color pencil
16) Prismacolor charcoal drawing pencils
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Following is a list of seam marking items/methods that I've gleaned from the message boards and I was wondering if any of these are safer than others if you do iron over them. Which things are more likely to disappear or wash out even if you do iron over them? I know the particular fabric one is using needs to be taken into consideration, but I'm looking for a general answer to help me decide which items/methods to try first.
1) disappearing marker
2) water soluable marker
3) soapstone
4) soap slivers
5) Crayola blackboard chalk
6) tailor's chalk
7) Chaco Liner
8) Chakoner
9) dressmaker's carbon paper
10) dressmaker's waxed paper
11) Clover chalk tracing paper
12) Saral waxless paper
13) Sally's graphite paper
14) lead pencils (which #? - 2?)
15) white water color pencil
16) Prismacolor charcoal drawing pencils
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Pam
Posted on: 5/26/08 3:44 PM ET
In reply to pab
I have not tried all these markings, but of the ones I used I found:
I like to use soap on many fabrics, but it disappears when ironed, at least when ironed with steam.
Disappearing ink turns permanent when you iron over it, so only iron it if it won't show on the finished garment or get it out with water before ironing.
Tailor's chalk- maybe depends on the brand, but stays usually in and can be washed out after ironing.
Chaco liner same as tailor's chalk, it is nice for many fabrics and that is what I mainly use now.
I could never get my carbon paper (singer brand to work).
Impressive list of methods on your part!
Using tailors tuck, or basting seam lines also works and can be ironed over, but stay in if you need adjustment. I hardly use it, as I am lazy...
I like to use soap on many fabrics, but it disappears when ironed, at least when ironed with steam.
Disappearing ink turns permanent when you iron over it, so only iron it if it won't show on the finished garment or get it out with water before ironing.
Tailor's chalk- maybe depends on the brand, but stays usually in and can be washed out after ironing.
Chaco liner same as tailor's chalk, it is nice for many fabrics and that is what I mainly use now.
I could never get my carbon paper (singer brand to work).
Impressive list of methods on your part!
Using tailors tuck, or basting seam lines also works and can be ironed over, but stay in if you need adjustment. I hardly use it, as I am lazy...
Posted on: 5/26/08 3:52 PM ET
A chaco liner is just powdered chalk (no wax) and washes out, but it stays in (until washed out) if you press over it. I like it because it makes a fine (thin) line.
No matter what I use, I put my marks on the wrong side so it doesn't matter if the iron hits it. The only exception is a light colored fabric where a blue washaway pen has bled through to the front. Since I'm done needing the mark by the time I press, I just make sure to spritz it with water first.
Disappearing markers are useless here in humid Florida unless I only need a mark for 5 minutes (which does happen, on buttons or snaps, etc.) so I tend not to use those.
-- Edited on 5/27/08 9:13 AM --
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No matter what I use, I put my marks on the wrong side so it doesn't matter if the iron hits it. The only exception is a light colored fabric where a blue washaway pen has bled through to the front. Since I'm done needing the mark by the time I press, I just make sure to spritz it with water first.
Disappearing markers are useless here in humid Florida unless I only need a mark for 5 minutes (which does happen, on buttons or snaps, etc.) so I tend not to use those.
-- Edited on 5/27/08 9:13 AM --
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"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
Posted on: 5/26/08 4:15 PM ET
I just had a less-than-favorable experience w/ red tracing paper (Dritz). I've had no problems so far w/ blue or white, but the red went permanent on a white poplin - even before pressing it.
Fortunately the fabric has a red print, but that really doesn't make me any happier. Lesson for the lazy here...never trust any of them w/o a test (like I didn't already know that).
Eve
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Fortunately the fabric has a red print, but that really doesn't make me any happier. Lesson for the lazy here...never trust any of them w/o a test (like I didn't already know that). Eve
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People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
Posted on: 5/26/08 6:41 PM ET
I tend to use tailor's tacks/thread markings for this reason, but I do also use tailor's chalk in blue or white. If I need to make a mark that won't translate well with thread markings on white or light colored fabrics I use the blue chalk, on the wrong side, and make the lightest mark that I can still see. I haven't tested if it washes out after pressing, but usually it is not visible on the outside.
Posted on: 5/26/08 7:16 PM ET
When in doubt about a marking method, I use thread tracing and tailors' tacks. I'm not happy about it, but I know it won't leave marks. I've had bad experiences with the wax based chalk and I recommend you run, don't walk away from them.
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I sew, therefore I am.
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Subscribe to my YouTube Channel - "Elaray"
Posted on: 5/27/08 9:11 AM ET
Great question!
I can confirm that soap markings go away when you iron with steam.
And the purple disappearing marker becomes permanent when you press. I've even had trouble with tailor tacks, but that was when I used very cheap red thread on a white shirt. Some of the red dye came out - not too much, thank goodness, but now I use regular thread and a closer color match for anything that might get hit with an iron.
I can confirm that soap markings go away when you iron with steam.
And the purple disappearing marker becomes permanent when you press. I've even had trouble with tailor tacks, but that was when I used very cheap red thread on a white shirt. Some of the red dye came out - not too much, thank goodness, but now I use regular thread and a closer color match for anything that might get hit with an iron.
Posted on: 5/28/08 11:27 AM ET
Thank you to each one of you who took the time to respond. It sounds like chalk (w/out wax) or tailor tacks &/or basting (with the exception of cheap red thread on white fabric) is the way to go for most things if you want to be able to iron over it.
I've never tried a tailor tack before. Is that just putting a piece of thread through the fabric at the spot to be marked?
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I've never tried a tailor tack before. Is that just putting a piece of thread through the fabric at the spot to be marked?
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Pam
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