TRANSFERRING QUILTING DESIGNS

• Press quilt top and change any correctable irregularities. Choose a marking tool which makes a thin accurate line, and pre-test removability on quilt fabric scraps.
• Reduce or enlarge the designs, using a copy machine, to fit any size border or block.
• Trace designs onto light colored fabric using a light box or glass top table with light source. If lines on the paper are difficult to see, darken the lines using a permanent pen.
• Marking tool options include: water-soluble and air-erasable markers, Sewline marking pencils, white dressmaker's pencil, chalk pencils, chalk rolling markers, and slivers of hardened soap. Try silver and yellow Berol® pencils on dark fabrics and a No. 2 pencil sparingly on light fabric. The same project may need several types of markers.
• Punch holes along the design outlines. Lay paper on top of dark fabric and sprinkle powdered chalk or cornstarch on the paper. Carefully lift the paper. Connect the dots using a marking pencil of your choice.
• Make plastic stencils using stencil making tools of your choice. These include: freezer-paper cutouts, stencils, templates, household items such as cookie cutters, and acrylic rulers.
• After marking quilting designs of choice, do not press quilt top; markings could be set permanently.