hand quilting question

[tiggeriffic02]

Hi,
I hope I am not being bother by all my questions. Ok when you hand quilt do you use a stencil? Do you trace on the quilt and with what? Is it a good idea to use a stencil?
Thanks
Kathy

[mic-pa]

Hi, When I hand quilt I use the stencil some times and other times I quilt 1/4 inch away from the seam of the particular block. It depends on the pattern of the quilt. I use the disappearing pen and Roxanne's pencils for marking. Also use 1/4 inch tape that is available when quilting around the seams of the block. there are so many ways of marking a quilt you have to find what works for you. Marge in Pa.

[Susie]

Don't ever feel bad asking questions! That is how you learn and I have learned plenty here. I am hand quilting a Trip Around the World quilt and I am using 1/4 inch masking tape to "mark" for a straight line of quilting. I have used stencils and with those I use the "pounce" that comes with a white powder. You just rub it lightly over the stencil and it leaves a thin line of "powder" that you then use a steam iron to remove. If you use this just mark a small section at a time as it will rub off and smear otherwise. They sell the pounce here on this website. I have used marking pencils but didn't have luck although others seem to. You do have to find out what works best for you, everyone is different.
Susie

[TulsaSewNSew]

I love to hand quilt. Some blocks cry out for a design...and I use stencils...and have tried several different marking pencils...just be sure to test the pencil on a scrap fabric you are quilting on first to see if it will come off how the instructions say it will ...once I had some blue chalk...I was so glad I tested it first...it did not come out. Happy quilting, Donna