Marking the Quilt for Easy Machine Quilting

Are ready for marking the quilt for easy machine quilting? Now that you have mastered easy machine piecing and completed a beautiful quilt top, you are ready.

It is time to choose a quilting pattern for your quilting project.

Always press the quilt top before marking the quilt for easy machine quilting. Check for misalignment of seams or any puckering and correct, if possible. The time it takes to resew problem areas will be well spent if it means having a beautiful quilt as opposed to one that you hide under the bed instead.

Before you add the batting and backing, it is time to decide how and where to mark your quilt. It is so much easier to mark the quilt for easy machine quilting at this point, when you can put the quilt top on a flat surface and be sure your markings are accurate. But you may need to mark some areas of your quilt project later on. Sometimes you won’t know all the areas you feel need to be quilted until you are in the middle of a project.

Some easy machine quilting can be done without marking the quilt top at all.

Outline quilting (¼” from the seam line) or quilting in-the-ditch, which is done next to the seam but not through it, on the patch opposite the pressed seam allowance can all be done by eye.

The goal is to avoid stitching through more than 3 layers whenever possible. Attempting to quilt through seam allowances adds two more thicknesses and can cause uneven stitching.

Other straight line easy machine quilting may also be marked as you quilt by using the edge of masking tape as a stitching guide.

Most quilters will tell you there is not any perfect way to mark the quilt for easy mcahine quilting. There are several possible methods and each quilter can choose their own favorite method.

Quilts can be marked using stencils, templates, or rulers to name a few. As you progress, you will find the method that gives you the most satisfactory result. Commercially made stencils are available through quilt and fabric stores, or you can make your own from template plastic.

Quilting stencils and patterns are valuable tools for marking the quilt for easy machine quilting. Pre-cut stencils come in a huge variety of styles, shapes and sizes. These need to be marked with a pencil or marker that fits through the cut lines of the stencil. Use a dark or bright pencil or marker on light fabrics and a light one on dark fabrics.

Marking the quilt for easy machine quilting, place the stencil over the quilt top and mark directly on the fabric.

Quilting patterns can be placed under the quilt and traced, if the fabric is light enough to see through.

A template can also be a good tool for marking the quilt for easy machine quilting. Cut from cardboard or plastic template material, it can be used to mark any shape. The see through plastic allows for more control on the placement of your quilting lines.

Always test marking tools on a scrap of your quilt fabric before using them on a quilt.

1. Water soluble markers

These show up well on light colored fabric and can be removed with water. But the marked fabric cannot be ironed or exposed to much heat until the marks have been removed with water.

2. Chalk pencils

Available in medium or dark grey. Good for marking very light or very dark fabrics. The chalk rubs away easy but does not produce a very fine line.

3. Artist pencils

The white is excellent for marking on very dark or black fabric. It can be almost completely removed when you rub with a scrap of the marked fabric but will remain visible when you are quilting.

4. Graphite pencils

For marking on light fabrics. Some quilters don’t mind permanent pencil lines n their quilts. A mechanical pencil gives a sharper line than a #2 pencil and the marking can be covered by your quilting stitches.

5. Ultimate Marking Pencil

For quilts that will be washed, this is an excellent method. It marks easy, with sharp lines and washes out with soap and water. If you don’t want to wash your quilt, the lines are fine enough that your quilting will cover the marked lines.

It does not matter what method you choose for marking your quilt as long as it works for you. There are no hard and fast rules.

You are now ready to baste your quilt sandwich together and begin your easy machine quilting.

Go to Basic Quilting Instructions from Marking the Quilt for Easy Machine Quilting