Best way to mark fabric?

I hope this is the right place to ask this question, but Ive been meaning to work on a bigger project (not the super big ones where no fabric is left, but bigger than a hoop size, if that makes sense?) soon and was thinking of pre-marking the fabric, because I get super frustrated when I miscount and realise it only halfway through...

Ive seen those water soluble marker pens, some even claim that they disappear after a few days. Has anyone had any experience and can recommend some?
People seem to have had good experiences with the DMC marker pen but Ive read that some had problems washing the colour out, so that worries me.

Any advice would be great!

superkrout

yes!! i got my marker at michaels. it’s blue and bright which made me skeptical but it works!!! it disappears immediately and it doesn’t stain !

KDH

                               
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weestitcher123

                               
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2023-10-14 16:12
Thats so helpful, thank you! And do you just use two threads like a cross or do you do the whole  ...

I continue the grid work for the entire piece of fabric depending on the size of the design.. I use one strand of sewing thread in a color that will stand out from the design. I’ve also heard a lot of folks are using a monofilament thread or a wire specifically made for this so you don’t pierce the gridding thread. I’ve used a sewing thread for 50 years and just stay with what I know works.
I looked at some sites on you tube last night and there are many videos showing gridding. They mostly seem more confusing than helpful but the principal is there. The whole point is to get your fabric to look like your chart so you will know the moment your stitch is not in the wrong place. I’ll keep looking.

KDH

When I set up for stitching I first prepare my fabric by folding the fabric in half lengthwise and give it a hard press. I then do the same thing crosswise. Prepare a long thread (sufficient to go from side to side with extra and another to go from top to bottom with extra) bring you needle up at the crosshairs of the fold and then down five threads farther down the fold. Be sure to stay on this thread all the way across this line going five threads up and five threads down until the end making certain you leave enough thread to finish the other side. Rethread the remaining thread and continue the five up, five down to the opposite side. Repeat for the other direction. Be careful to grid from the middle out so the grid is consistent both ways. This insures that if I’m going to miscount it will be caught within 5 stitches. I’m certain there are sites that will explain this much better. I will look around for one with diagrams to post here to help you out.
I used to use the washout markers but you’ll only do it until the first time they don’t wash out or heat out as the case may be.

bs.frog

Great question Weestitcher123. I have never used a marking pen so I have no advice but look forward to hearing from others who have.

Thanks to all who answer with advice and their experiences  :)

weestitcher123

                               
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KDH

                               
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2023-10-14 11:52
When I set up for stitching I first prepare my fabric by folding the fabric in half lengthwise and g ...

Thats so helpful, thank you! And do you just use two threads like a cross or do you do the whole grid? And do you find it hard to not stitch that thread into your pattern or do you take it out as you go along?

KDH

At last! I found a couple of you tube videos that show a close proximity to how I do my centering and gridding. Go to you tube and look up Peacock and Fig. She has separate videos on both processes. She uses fishing wire where I just use thread. It’s worth a try. It makes sense. I’ve just never had any problems with using thread. Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me.

weestitcher123

                               
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KDH

                               
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2023-10-15 00:24
At last! I found a couple of you tube videos that show a close proximity to how I do my centering an ...

Thank you so much! This helped a lot. I think Ill do the gridding with a thread, too. It would be a shame if the pen doesnt wash out in the end.

Also, youve been stitching for 50 years?? Thats freaking amazing! Now I feel like a baby, haha. :o

petrica

I mark the grid only on the outside and it matches exactly the printed outline. Use sewing thread. I go up and down the stitch every 2 stitches of fabric and make marks every 10 stitches.
Something like this |__   __   __|   __   __   |
And I make a longer sign to mark the centers of each side.
This system has always worked for me, in small and generally large designs, round and square frames.
Sometimes I also make a rectangular frame of the appropriate size so that I can see all the fabric.



Yo marco la cuadrícula solo en la parte exterior y que coincida exactamente con el esquema impreso. Utilizo hilo de coser. Subo y bajo la puntada cada 2 puntos de tela y hago marcas cada 10 puntos.
Algo así    |__    __    __|   __    __   |
Y hago una seña más larga para marcar los centros de cada lado.
Este sistema me ha funcionado desde siempre, en diseños pequeños y generalmente grandes, bastidores redondos y cuadrados.
A veces también me fabrico un bastidor rectangular del tamaño adecuado y así tener toda la tela a la vista.

psychocat

I use chalk. If you mess up, you can easily dim it by rubbing it. It also comes off when you use water, so no need to worry about staining.