Easy Peasy Quilt Marking

by Nicole

I usually avoid marking my quilt top like I avoided people who sneezed or sniffled during the H1N1 breakout.

I’ll use my seam guide or painter’s tape before I pull out my little disappearing blue ink marker.

But on some occasions, it is a must.

That occasion came when I sat down to work on my latest improv quilt based on this tutorial.

Slowly, oh so slowly, I marked line after line, until the ink got fainter and fainter.

I tossed it aside remembering this little gizmo that I bought a while ago, but had never used.

I lined it up against the ruler and ran it across the quilt top. A crisp, straight crease emerged and birds started to sing!

Check out the lines on the left made by the blue marker and compare them to the lines on the right made by my little hera. There is no mistaking which one has earned my devotion.

I did it again and again and again. In no time, I was done! Eureka! I had found a way to get nice straight lines in minimal time. And I could see the mark on dark colored fabrics, which make the blue marker invisible. As a bonus, I won’t have to drench my quilt top with water to remove the markings made by the hera. The stitching covers up the crease.

I’m a believer.

What about you? Do you mark? If so, what’s your marker of choice?

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11 comments

Debbie January 17, 2012 - 5:26 am

I usually use blue painter's tape, but I'm not thrilled with it. So this hera doesn't leave a mark, just makes a crease? How long does the crease stay when you are quilting?

mamalovequilts@gmail.com January 18, 2012 - 12:33 am

I'm not crazy about the painter's tape either. I always end up sewing over it and then picking little bits of sewn in tape off the quilt.
Yes, the hera doesn't leave a mark, but a crease. The creases stayed there the whole time I was quilting. Unbelievable, right? I marked it one day and then quilted over the creases over two days and had no problem seeing them to quilt, but I was straining my eyes to see the places I marked with the blue ink.

beth lehman January 18, 2012 - 1:38 am

Great reminder… I've seen other quilters use this. I just used painter's tape…. Your straight line quilting is so good…. care to share tips?? I'm really struggling (even with a new machine!)!

@pril February 1, 2012 - 1:01 am

YAY! Another Triangle Person! I live in Raleigh. I had never heard of this tool until I saw your post mentioned on another blog. http://aquilterstable.blogspot.com/2012/01/revelation.html

I'm gonna have to try this tool!

@pril
KoolBeenz-blog.blogspot.com
For-the-Love-of-Pie.blogspot.com

Kisha February 6, 2012 - 6:59 pm

I learned about this from aquilterstable too. SO glad she linked back to you. I have got to get one of these tools! Up 'til now, I've sent my quilt tops out to be quilted, but I think I'm going to try and do the next one myself. This will certainly make things easier. Thanks!!!

Mermaid Sews July 1, 2012 - 5:27 pm

Thank you for all your great quilting tutorials! Love your blog so much.

Mermaid Sews July 1, 2012 - 5:27 pm

Thank you for all your great quilting tutorials! Love your blog so much.

JaneB December 13, 2012 - 7:14 am

Are you marking before sandwiching the quilt or after? I really love your blog.

Denise Briese July 15, 2013 - 9:55 pm

Ok love my herra quilt tool, thanks…my question is how do you get a straight line all the way down? Do you just shimmy the ruler down? Thanks for your help.

brigitgail.com July 30, 2013 - 6:00 pm

Like JaneB above I wonder if you use the Hera marker before you sandwich? I've always wanted to use this tool, but wondered if you need a soft surface in order to create the crease? Thanks for your helpful tutorials!

Judy Frye November 29, 2014 - 7:38 am

I have the same questions as others. Mark before or after sandwiching? How do you get straight all the way down the quilt? Do you need a soft surface to create the crease?
syfy7171@gmail.com

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