Marking White Fabric

3:00 PM


When you're working with white fabric, what do YOU use to make markings?

Do you take a chance and use colored chalks, the purple disappearing pens, thread tracing or tailor's tacks?

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36 comments

  1. Tailors tacks, if it is a "good" project.

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  2. I use tailor's tacks on everything - any fabric. I find them quick to do and easy to remove.

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  3. I use the purple pens that disappear, but I first test to see if it will wash out with cold water.

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  4. Tailor tacks for almost everything. I learned the hard way about color chalk AND disappearing pens :(

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  5. I've used thread tracing for sheers and white chalk when I'm underlining something. If I don't have the right light, it can be a bit challenging to see those markings, so I usually thread trace those, too.

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  6. I use the blue washable marking pens. I also tend to make smaller than normal markings just in case.

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  7. I smiled when I saw this because I just used royal blue thread to do my tailor tacks on my orange dress, I made everything with tailor tacks as well, takes forever but it works

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  8. Chalk. I've never had a problem with it coming out yet.

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  9. Thread for everything, regardless of color or fiber content. Not real tailor's tacks but something similar.

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  10. I use tailor tacks for all my internal markings too, regardless of the fabric colour.

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  11. I try to keep my markings on the wrong-side and inside the seam allowances. But for embroidery I use the purple pen, or crayola washable pens. Find the ones that are guaranteed to wash out of clothing. Even then, I test first. White fabric is unforgiving.

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  12. That's a tough one..cuz I know some of those disappearing ink pens don't always disappear! Here's another question: how do you keep white white when you're sewing? It's so easy smudge, drop on the floor, etc.

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  13. I'm ghetto. I use a pencil.

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  14. I use yellow tracing paper to mark the wrong side, then thread-trace with silk thread. I've never had a problem with show-through, but I'm careful to test first and use the lightest pressure that will make a good mark.

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  15. Wow learned something new, i plan on taking a sewing class soon. Have a great week.

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  16. Frixion pens. Ink makes a clear mark and erases with ironing - my favorite. A sharp chalk pencil for dark colors.

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  17. I usually use pencils, lightly, it will wash out. But usually I transfer markings using needle and thread, like I learned in fashion school. I also don't trace darts: I snip the openings and I mark the tip of the dart using needle and thread (basically you push the needle through all the layers leaving a long tail, then bring it back up, repeat again leaving a long tail Then you separate the fabrics layers, pulling on the threads being careful not to pull them out then I snip in the middle). But another trick learned in school would be to mark the end of the dart 3/8" from the end, that way you don't have to worry about the markings showing since it will be contained within the dart.

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  18. Anonymous1:15 AM

    I'm another one who uses a sharp pencil, very lightly. I invariably regret it later too, and wish I'd used tailor tacks. Just been sewing a white dress and there are a few places where it is showing.

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  19. Thread tracing and tailors tacks for me too. In my experience, disappearing pens don't! I sometimes use a chalk wheel for concealed zip placement.

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  20. Like Adrienne, I learned the hard way! I would definitely use tailors tacks and thread tracing to mark on white fabric. I'm using that method more and more on everything.

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  21. Anonymous7:41 AM

    Tailor's tacks, every time, for everything. I'm not prepared to risk it for the additional few minutes it takes.

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  22. Frixion pens. A bit scary at first, but they really do work...

    /Maria

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  23. I didn´t found the ultimate solution yet :-) Usually I use colored chalks but sometimes it´s hard to remove... For "good" fabric I make a very small cut into the seam allowance. With those disappearing pens I have only bad experiences! Most of the time, the marks disappear before sewing :-) or they never disappear - even after washing...

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  24. i always use pins or thread basting (silk thread), no matter what color. a long time ago (1987 or so) i made one of those gunne sax style dresses with all the pleats and tucks. it was white. i used a purple 'disappearing' pen to mark them all. it disappeared, then re-appeared in brown! never again did i use any type of marking pen or chalk.

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  25. Anonymous12:55 PM

    I am using the Hera marker from Clover: http://www.amazon.com/Clover-490-NV-Hera-Marker/dp/B0011451F8

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  26. With a black dog and two sons? White is just not in my fashion lexicon. :) However, for light fabrics and "good" projects, I always use tailor tacks in a light color (pink or lavender)

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  27. I like to do it the old fashioned way with tailor's tacks - easy to see on both sides of the fabric and easy to pull out!

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  28. I use a light silvery colored chalk pencil.

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  29. It depends on what I'm making, but I have used tailor's tacks, a pencil ( lightly), or yellow tracing paper. I've even used a disappearing pen ( tested first, of course).

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  30. I would use thread to mark

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  31. I've started using tailor's tack for everything

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  32. I use different techniques on one project and avoid marking if I can but there is nothing like tread marking I must admit. By the way, I suggest reading Ann Rowley's tutorial http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php/topic,342.0.html and flickr photo stream http://www.flickr.com/photos/7370831@N07/906285289/in/set-72157601021725096/

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  33. Thanks for the links! That's good stuff!

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  34. I too use tailor tacks. I even use them to mark buttonholes too. Some times as I am sewing I use pins to mark match up marks. I have memories of my mom using carbon paper with the round little wheel, and the carbon never came out of the clothing, so I figured out ways to get away without marking up the fabric.

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  35. Regarding FriXion Pens...from http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/product/view/products_id/3687

    "Interestingly enough, the ink in these pens will actually reappear when the temperature reaches below -10 Celsius (under 14 Fahrenheit). A freezer is sufficiently cold enough to make the ink start to reappear, you can watch a video on how it works here (http://www.jetpens.com/jetpics/?p=172?). It is like a magic pen for adults!"

    For those who, like me, live in places where it is not unheard of for the temps to get down that low, perhaps a little more experimentation with these is in order.

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  36. I always use tailor tacks, unless I'm just tracing on muslin. I don't take any risks, lol

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