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12 
Member since 9/16/04
Posts: 96
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Posted on: 9/25/06 10:11 PM ET
Hello ladies,

I have tried everything I know of to mark the pattern symbols/marks onto my dark fabric, especially knits, and have yet to find a good solution. I was wondering what you do?

I have tried chalk, but it rubs off too easily.
I have tried fabric marking pens, but they don't show up well.
I have tried Sharpie Silver Marker, but it is permanent.
I have tried Tailor's chalk, but like other chalk comes off or is difficult to get to mark.
I have tried White pencils (for quilters) but it won't mark on knits.

I am just hoping there is a better way than what I am doing.

Thanks,
Terri

  
Member since 7/8/05
Posts: 16
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Posted on: 9/25/06 10:20 PM ET
For the fabric that is hard to mark, I used to put the mark by using thread knot, kinda tailor tack. Or to mark the placement for pocket, etc, by thread tracing it with contrast color.

Tuti
  
Member since 9/16/04
Posts: 96
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Posted on: 9/25/06 10:52 PM ET
Hi Tuti,

Do you use thread to mark the notches and the dots too?

I was thinking about clipping the notches, but the darts are a different beast

Terri
  
Member since 10/25/04
Posts: 7464
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Posted on: 9/25/06 11:07 PM ET
In reply to Terri Smith
Terri, for dark fabrics, I mostly use a soap marker. I found Cussons Imperial Leather with the little paper label works best of all..just the small pieces leftover from the shower.
It can also be sharpened to a fine point with a knife or box cutter.

For marking darts etc, I use white or yellow dressmaker's carbon and my Clover tracing wheel, that has the blunt ponts.
HTH's
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Vonne šOš Brisbane Australia
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Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age and dreams are forever.
We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.
  
Member since 9/16/04
Posts: 96
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Posted on: 9/25/06 11:29 PM ET
Thanks so much, Vonnevo, I will have to check out the dressmakers carbon. Never heard of it. Only the stuff sold by Dritz.

Thanks again,

Terri
  
Member since 2/19/04
Posts: 10120
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Posted on: 9/26/06 0:51 AM ET
I haven't used this idea, but I've heard of using small adhesive dots like you can get at an office supply store. Just a thought.
  
Member since 7/11/05
Posts: 3783
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Posted on: 9/26/06 3:03 AM ET
I prefer Saral Transfer paper to the tracing paper sold for sewing. It comes in packets of sheets in single or mixed colors and it also comes on rolls. It seems to me it is less expensive on the rolls. It's definitely cheaper when you buy it at an art/craft supply place than when you get the puny packets Hancock's sometimes sells. I use the yellow and the graphite most often.

Saral Transfer paper

Vogue Fabrics also sells tailor's wax in yellow and black in single pieces in their stores. but not on their website. I found it by the box at this tailor's supply place--which seems to be a site well worth exploring for all kinds of things. A 48 piece box of the wax is $8.50 --and it comes in ALL kinds of colors...there are tailor's crayons too!


Tailor's Wax B. Black and Sons

One problem I did have using the wax was the yellow not washing out of a piece of white cotton pointelle knit. I think I ironed it in permanently and it was visible on the right side.
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I am going for a level of perfection that is only mine... Most of the pleasure is in getting that last little piece perfect...Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just keep showing up and doing the work.

Chuck Close, painter, printmaker, photographer

Hope has two lovely daughters: Anger and Courage

St. Augustine
  
Member since 10/25/04
Posts: 7464
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Posted on: 9/26/06 4:00 AM ET
In reply to Terri Smith
Terri, I forgot about the saral..not widely available here in Oz, although I suspect the repackaged transfer paper I use might be similar.
I found a free sample pack online.
You can get a small free sample of all 5 colors of Saral Wax Free Transfer Paper in a brochure that explains ways to use and how to use Saral Transfer Paper

I like the idea of 12' rolls.

-- Edited on 9/26/06 4:02 AM --
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Vonne šOš Brisbane Australia
---------------------------------
Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age and dreams are forever.
We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.
  
Member since 2/17/06
Posts: 178
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Posted on: 9/26/06 8:38 AM ET
In reply to Terri Smith
I too am a sliver of soap user - DH's Ts are made from a dark navy knit. I use soap on all colours & fabrics - it's great on white because it washes out so readily. My slivers are pure soap, I do not know if this makes a difference as I have never used any other. HTH.

StitchWench (Australia)
  
Member since 1/23/05
Posts: 389
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Posted on: 9/26/06 12:34 PM ET
Another chiming in with carbon and wheel, however on dark prints -- even a burgandy -- it can be difficult to see, which is why they have both white and yellow carbon.

I've also marked or lined up dots simply by using a straight pin.
  
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