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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: akire
Date: 08-02-2005, 07:06 AM (1 of 26)
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Hi all..i'd love to start writing on quilts. I've thought of just doing applique to get words/letters on a quilt, but the fact is I love writing, always have, and I would LOVE to just take a pen and write on a quilt. So, what do I use? I acutally do have a fabric marker I bought, thought I would use it to put my name on the quilt I made for my niece, and I did, but just not sure what people who are actually encorporating writing on the front of their quilt, into the design. Besides 'what do I use', what things must I do to prepare the quilt for writing, or to give the writing longevity on the quilt? Thanks in advance for any advice, I always appreciate the feedback I receive on this site. |
User: akire
Member since: 03-06-2001 Total posts: 61 |
From: CodyGramma
Date: 08-02-2005, 07:29 AM (2 of 26)
I use Pigma Pens for my quilt labels. I bought black and I'm not sure but I think they would come in other colors. Check with you local quilt shop, they will have ideas for you. 
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User: CodyGramma
Member since: 04-22-2005 Total posts: 133 
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From: akire
Date: 08-02-2005, 07:36 AM (3 of 26)
| Not much hope of ideas from local stores...there are only two stores near me, one for quilting, and one for fabric and at the fabric store the ladies are really 'snooty' and don't have time for questions, and at the quilting store (where I do shop and do enjoy the ladies comments on most quilting topics) everyone is very...traditional...in their thinking. If I asked them about writing on quilts, I'd likely be met with more 'why would you want to write all over a quilt' than 'well...this is what you should try...or this is how its done'. So you see...I need to hear some details from others who are writing on their quilts. Its easier! |
User: akire
Member since: 03-06-2001 Total posts: 61 |
From: akire
Date: 08-02-2005, 07:38 AM (4 of 26)
| Okay, Okay, I will try the quilt store...even though I can see the look I'm going to get, but still...would love to get other advice, even if its just a link to a site that has quilts that encorporate writing as part of the surface design. |
User: akire
Member since: 03-06-2001 Total posts: 61 |
From: dmoses
Date: 08-02-2005, 08:23 AM (5 of 26)
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I've used both pigma pens and Identi-pens to write on fabric. I found the identi-pens easier to work with, but I believe the pigma pens have a finer tip, which is better for finer, more delicate writing. They both come in several colours. The identi-pens I bought(from Dharma Trading Company-online) have a tip at each end, one smaller than the other, but still not as fine as the Pigma pens. I bought the Pigma pens, in a pack of eight colours, at Joanne's Fabric store. Hope this helps. Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: AdvaP
Date: 08-02-2005, 02:44 PM (6 of 26)
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I use fine 'sharpie' permanent markers. They come in lots of colours and I get them at the drug store, or office supply store. You can heat-set with a dry iron after writing, 5 sec should be good enough (altouhgh it's not neccessary. I tested a piece of fabric i'd written on and washed it without heat-setting, and it didn't run). My exprience with the fine pigma pens wasn't successful. Maybe they were dry. I've been told they dry out fast. I saw an ad for retractable fabric markers that looked cool, but can't remember the name. As to snooty quilt shops...our local one is like that. The owners are snooty, but a couple of employees are really nice. I go there only when there's no choice, when I don't have time to drive 45 min or more to another town. I hope you can find a friendly employee when you go. Adva. Adva Price
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User: AdvaP
Member since: 10-15-2000 Total posts: 325 
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From: AdvaP
Date: 08-02-2005, 03:25 PM (7 of 26)
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my reply above - the sharpie worked great on batiks. i just tried to write something on muslin, and it doesn't look good at all. 
Adva Price
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User: AdvaP
Member since: 10-15-2000 Total posts: 325
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From: plrlegal
Date: 08-02-2005, 06:06 PM (8 of 26)
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Adva the Sharpie worked well on the batiks because they are very tightly woven and have a smoother finish to them whereas muslin is most generally a thinner loosely woven fabric with a rough finish on it and will absorb the ink more. I only use the pigma pens for writing on fabric and the fabric should be stabilized with freezer paper ironed on the back before you start to write. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: joannequilts
Date: 08-02-2005, 06:43 PM (9 of 26)
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Research your pens well. Sorry ladies but those sharpies will feather out eventually. You can back your fabric with some freezer paper and the writing will be easier. Here is a site to look at. http://www.ggcreations.com.au/althea/notions/sew/pigmapens.html |
User: joannequilts
Member since: 12-22-2000 Total posts: 3070 
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From: Sancin
Date: 08-02-2005, 07:21 PM (10 of 26)
" the fabric store the ladies are really 'snooty' and don't have time for questions"  Never forget other people's behaviour and attitudes are their problem and not yours! You have the money! Had a shop near me like this and didn't last long in business. One thing I hate about shops, especially craft, fabric, etc is staff that don't know their inventory and who will not recommend where you can find it in town. If they have no time for questions look around, they may be really busy or they may not want to to do their job. Answering questions is part of retail clerks and owners job description. I questioned the manager/owner (?) of our local Fabricland about this and she really changed her behaviour, not only to me but to all others. I also noticed that she was observing her staff more. I wasn't rude about it, I simply asked what the store policy was and then pointed out that it wasn't being followed. The one clerk who called me 'dear' (very patronizing - didn't know me well enough to know whether I was her dear or not  ) didn't last long. Personally I find snooty people are really insecure. 'why would you want to write all over a quilt' Response "why would you want to know" then repeat your questions and if no response ask them how who would know and could you talk to that person or how you could find out an answer to your question. Thanks for the info re sharpies - I always wondered about them. Nancy *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: gb1
Date: 08-08-2005, 04:50 PM (11 of 26)
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm assuming you're talking about writing on the front. I love to put words on my work! Everything from quotations to "speech bubbles" to "journaling." I used to write on the fabric, but my handwriting isn't the best and I never really found a pen I absolutely loved. I had problems with the ink from Pigma pens soaking into the fabric. At first it was really bright -- but after a hour or so started looking pretty faded. Since I got my new computer I've been typesetting that stuff on the 'puter and printing it out. It is definitely more readable, but Bob preferred the handwriting -- he thought it gave a more personal touch. |
User: gb1
Member since: 08-08-2005 Total posts: 6 |
From: texas_angel
Date: 08-17-2005, 05:02 PM (12 of 26)
| I have had the best luck with black gel pens or millenum pens. (scrapbook section) Write what you want on there and iron or dry in a warm dryer for a few min. and it's set. Also if you want to write on it before you quilt it lay the fabric on a piece of find grit sandpaper and it will keep the fabric from sliding while you write. |
User: texas_angel
Member since: 08-17-2005 Total posts: 54 |
From: MaryW
Date: 08-17-2005, 05:56 PM (13 of 26)
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Hey texas angel, welcome to Sew Whats New.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: akire
Date: 08-26-2005, 07:40 PM (14 of 26)
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Thanks for all the info everyone...and yes, I do mean writing on the face of the quilt, as part of the design. I am a doodler by heart...I even by paint markers to write on the walls in my house...so I can't resist trying to write on a quilt. Might be words, or just a 'doodle' I don't know, just wanted to see if there was any consensus out there on how to and what to use. So I guess I need to buy a couple, try them out, try different fabrics, keep the freezer paper/sand paper ideas in mind and just go for it. And I really want to write,not use printed words...I love writing...and want to see if writing and quilting can go together. Cheers, Gail |
User: akire
Member since: 03-06-2001 Total posts: 61 |
From: Sancin
Date: 08-27-2005, 02:42 AM (15 of 26)
I haven't done this YET, but have pens and have filled in some details on appliques. Try looking for pigma pens which do come in different colours and point sizes at stationary stores and art supplies. Drafting supply shops are great places to find things for quilting and sewing - flexible rulers of specific widths and lengths, self correcting mats, plastic for templates (may even cut them for you), etc. I taught at a communuity college and browsed the bookstore before the first week of classes knowing one had to have everything you thought you would need as it was almost impossible to get into the bookstore for a month after classes started!!  I also think that printing onto a computer may be effective. Write what you want, scan it into your computer and print as described for printing on fabric. Have a wonderful year teachers. I am loving retirement!! *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: Carmela
Date: 08-27-2005, 01:25 PM (16 of 26)
| Wait a minute Now wait a minute Before writing with ANY pen do you first write with pencil ???? Like what happens if you make a mistake > > > Or do you make mistakes I tried to write labels And they look awful |
User: Carmela
Member since: 10-21-2001 Total posts: 38 |
From: akire
Date: 08-31-2005, 07:10 AM (17 of 26)
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Mistakes...well...when I doodle, draw...I use a black pen, I love having to recover from a 'mistake' so for me, nope, no pencil, outline or anything. I laughed last time I took a class, and we were doing log cabin, and our teacher told all of us to take apart our blocks and start again because they weren't perfect. I thought she was joking...her staring back at me was priceless. I'm kidding a bit...I know what you mean, I'm sure you could draw stuff on, or chalk it if you wanted to make sure it looked a certain way. I have a little blue marking marker, water soluable and that would work great to draw an outline first. |
User: akire
Member since: 03-06-2001 Total posts: 61 |
From: gardenquilter
Date: 03-03-2006, 04:02 PM (18 of 26)
| wow cant believe i found this, was wanting to add mottos to a graduation quilt, on the border and was thinking maybe i was goofy wanting to use my own handwriting, bought a fabric marker but was just to big to write with. please let me know how it works for you and what pen you used. i am still just trying different markers, but will let you know if i find a good one. |
User: gardenquilter
Member since: 02-05-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 03-03-2006, 11:26 PM (19 of 26)
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The only thing you should write on a quilt with is a Pigma pen, which is a permanent, washable fabric pen. They can be found at any quilt shop, hancock fabrics, jo-ann's, michael's, hobby lobby, craft shop, etc. in different colors. Please do not use the regular sharpies or anything as they will make a mess out of your quilts. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Sancin
Date: 03-04-2006, 03:45 AM (20 of 26)
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Pigma pens can be found in stationary stores, particularly those who sell office supplies, like Staples.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-04-2006, 04:53 PM (21 of 26)
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I bought my set of Pigma Pens at Michaels with a 50 % off coupon so I only paid $ 7.50 for the set of 8 instead of $ 15.00.. I am so pleased with them..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Mariellen
Date: 03-04-2006, 08:44 PM (22 of 26)
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Hi everyone! This is basically along the same line. Does anyone know where I can buy "labels" to put the info on..name, date, receipeint, etc...and then sew it onto the backing? Thanks!
If I had known that grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first!!
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User: Mariellen
Member since: 02-16-2006 Total posts: 58 
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From: allie-oops
Date: 03-04-2006, 09:06 PM (23 of 26)
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Personally, I LOVE this idea. I love to doodle as well. It would be well to remember that this is YOUR quilt, YOU make the rules - nothing new in quilting was ever done by people following the "rules". I made a quilt for my son using fabric markers. I traced his drawings, both pictures AND script, and it has held up perfectly for years now. It gets washed frequently, he uses it every day. There are tons of new fabric markers out there, fine tip and brush. If you have waterproof ink in your printer, you can use fabric, or use BubbleJet to prepare the fabric if you don't have waterproof ink. I do a lot of tracing pictures onto fabric, quilting the outlines, then painting in the colors - with regular, acrylic paint. I also use crayons. In this day of art quilts, anything goes! Allie "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
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From: allie-oops
Date: 03-04-2006, 09:07 PM (24 of 26)
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Another thought - the freezer paper works REALLY well. I always use it for writing or coloring - it stablizes the fabric. To peel it off, I warm it up first - otherwise it tends to pull the fabric and distort it. Allie "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-05-2006, 08:53 PM (25 of 26)
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Hi everyone! This is basically along the same line. Does anyone know where I can buy "labels" to put the info on..name, date, receipeint, etc...and then sew it onto the backing? Thanks!I have bought labels at a quilt store...that you can embroider or write your info on. But most of the time I just cut a rectangle of fabric from one of the quilting fabrics I used, hem the four sides and embroider my info on it. Usually I find that the one's I buy are too small or I have to figure out how I am going to get everything to fit in the space on the label. I find making my own rectangle is better as I can make it the size I want or need. Most of the time, I embroider what I want then cut the rectangle and hem.
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: Mariellen
Date: 03-05-2006, 09:20 PM (26 of 26)
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Thanks Judy....why didn't I think of something that simple??? LOL. Have a good night everyone. If I had known that grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first!!
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User: Mariellen
Member since: 02-16-2006 Total posts: 58
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