Connect with your social network account

[fibersport]

I'll be starting my boat interior which is white and red. On the white material, there will some sections with 1" pleats. I'm not good enough to sew these freehand and will have to lay them out and mark them. My question is what can I use to mark the lines so that it won't stain the thread? The only thing that comes to mind is fine pencil line, any other thoughts?

[LLeeT]

Pencil should work okay if you doing open stitches. If your doing hidden stitches you could use black pen or colored chalk. The stitches will never show. You also make your lines on the back of the scrim foam and sew on the backside and use what ever you can see well.

[WILD BILL]

I used a fine tip sharpie on the back of the scrim foam and did it all upside down.

Your thread tensions have to be spot on though as your bobbin thread will be your top stitch.

I have a Clover water soluble ink white marker that works on darker colors but their Blue ink pen doesn't show up that well.

[fibersport]

Didn't think about sewing it upside down, not sure if I'm confident enough to try that - might be good to practice though. I did try a fine sharpie on some practice vinyl, it never showed through but it was black thread on teal vinyl, I think the pencil might be the best, will have to try that. Thanks -

[Sully]

Look for “fisher space pens”. They are silver, pretty much write on anything and cleans up easily with soap:water. Just don’t let it sit on there for days.

[fibersport]

Had one of those when I was a kid during the space craze, didn't know they still made them.

[LLeeT]

I had to give up using the Sharpie pens. I know John says not to use them. I am hard headed enough that I use them on a couple of vinyl projects only to have the marks to bleed through after a short time. Now I just use the silver markers or chalk. You mileage my differ.

[WILD BILL]

@LLeeT, What silver markers are you using and do they mark white vinyl and wipe off easily?

[LLeeT]

It comes off fairly easy. Do not want to leave it on to long especially on leather. I clean it off with damp cloth with a bit of dawn soap.
not had any problems so far. Been using it 3 years mostly on vinyl. You should always test on a small piece that you planning on using.

100 Pieces Silver Fabric Marker Textile Ink Refill Patchwork Marking Pen Refill,For black five

[LLeeT]

I should have added that I get it from Amazon. Just copy and paste the last line of the post above.

[JimmieJoe]

I use the mercury pen, which is the silver ink that can be removed with a damp cloth.
I bought the pen from tandy leather and get the refills on ebay


You want to get the refills, the ink is consumed a lot faster than a regular pen.

I use it to mark all my upholstery, except silver or gray material, which I then use a red Stabilo pencil. However, the ted pencil is not easily removable so I only use it to mark cut lines.