Re: [h-cost] marking tools
And I thought that was just my imagination! Me too! Sg On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 8:56 PM, Lists li...@genteelarts.com wrote: Instead of using a regular pencil sharpener, try using one made for eyebrow, eyeliner or eye shadow pencils. I don't know why, but they give you a much better point that doesn't break as easily. Carolann Schmitt www.genteelarts.com Ladies Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference, March 1-4, 2012 ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
Instead of using a regular pencil sharpener, try using one made for eyebrow, eyeliner or eye shadow pencils. I don't know why, but they give you a much better point that doesn't break as easily. That's because the cutting angle is different. The regular pencil sharpeners produce a pointier angle; they get away with it because regular pencil lead is tougher. For softer materials, you want something that will hold up better, so the cutting angle is wider. They also sell combined big/small sharpeners at fabric stores, and those usually have pretty much the same angle as an eyeshadow sharpener. ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
You can also adjust the blade that sharpens the point. The problem that I found with the one I got the kids was that it runs too long, so when the point is its sharpest it hits the wall and the tip breaks. If you adjust the blade you can get it to create a sharper point before it hits that wall and then you have to eye ball it to make sure you stop so that your point will not break. It is the wall sharpener that is driving me batty at the moment. I do not know what to adjust to make it stop breaking the point. It is like the leads are too soft to hold their own against the wall. :( Franchesca : -Original Message- : From: h-costume-boun...@indra.com [mailto:h-costume- : boun...@indra.com] On Behalf Of Audrey Bergeron-Morin : Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 8:35 AM : To: Historical Costume : Subject: Re: [h-cost] marking tools : : : Instead of using a regular pencil sharpener, try using one made for : eyebrow, : eyeliner or eye shadow pencils. I don't know why, but they give you a : much : better point that doesn't break as easily. : : : That's because the cutting angle is different. The regular pencil : sharpeners produce a pointier angle; they get away with it because regular : pencil lead is tougher. For softer materials, you want something that will : hold up better, so the cutting angle is wider. They also sell combined : big/small sharpeners at fabric stores, and those usually have pretty much : the same angle as an eyeshadow sharpener. : ___ : h-costume mailing list : h-costume@mail.indra.com : http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
Anahita, Try wetting the edge of your tailor's chalk. Most chalk will actually leave a more intense line if its a little damp. I find I prefer the old, hard, mostly unused tailors chalk because I can get a very fine line out of it this way. Margaret Perhaps my blue tailor's chalk is just too old, because it is very hard and barely leaves a mark, so i like the soft chalks. ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
I still use the tried and true (and, yes, somewhat time-consuming) method of basting through the pattern, leaving loops, and then cutting the treads so you get bits on both pieces of cloth. It is kind of the ultimate in control for me. I also use the square of chalk, since you can use a sharp knife to make a really narrow edge on them, although they need to be sharpened frequently. They are great along a straight edge. On 1/12/12 8:07 AM, Land of Oz lando...@netins.net wrote: I've just about had it with the standard pencil type marking instruments at JoAnn's. If you try to sharpen them enough to make a detailed line, the chalk breaks off. If you try to leave the end wide and blunt, you can't make anything but the most basic dots. What do you pros out there use? I have a wheel and marking paper, but that's really hard on the pattern tissues and I like to re-use them if possible. What's your favorite and where do you get it? thanks Denise Iowa ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
I use a square of tailor's chalk for most of my marking needs. I have also heard of using a piece of old fashion soap (like Ivory) for marking fabric. Karen -- Original Message -- From: Nordtorp-Madson, Michelle A. manordto...@stthomas.edu To: Historical Costume h-cost...@indra.com Subject: Re: [h-cost] marking tools Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:15:00 + I still use the tried and true (and, yes, somewhat time-consuming) method of basting through the pattern, leaving loops, and then cutting the treads so you get bits on both pieces of cloth. It is kind of the ultimate in control for me. I also use the square of chalk, since you can use a sharp knife to make a really narrow edge on them, although they need to be sharpened frequently. They are great along a straight edge. On 1/12/12 8:07 AM, Land of Oz lando...@netins.net wrote: I've just about had it with the standard pencil type marking instruments at JoAnn's. If you try to sharpen them enough to make a detailed line, the chalk breaks off. If you try to leave the end wide and blunt, you can't make anything but the most basic dots. What do you pros out there use? I have a wheel and marking paper, but that's really hard on the pattern tissues and I like to re-use them if possible. What's your favorite and where do you get it? thanks Denise Iowa ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume Groupon#8482 Official Site 1 ridiculously huge coupon a day. Get 50-90% off your city#39;s best! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f0eeca2be0d38e4dast04duc ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
I use a wide range of tools. Marking darts or other things on both pieces of the same pattern piece I use tracing wheel (or plastic 'knife) and paper. If I can't risk a mark of any kind I use tailor tacks. I use erasable pens (air or water) for tracing seam lines onto fabrics - these are very temporary, so you can't leave them sit for long. I LOVE these chalk wheels http://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/chalk-pencils.html for all kinds of stuff - they come in a bunch of colors. The other thing I discovered (and actually got into the Threads tips and tools section) is that Crayon erasable color pencils are hard, don't break easily, can be sharpened to a point, and they wash out! Hope that helps! Sg On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 7:07 AM, Land of Oz lando...@netins.net wrote: I've just about had it with the standard pencil type marking instruments at JoAnn's. If you try to sharpen them enough to make a detailed line, the chalk breaks off. If you try to leave the end wide and blunt, you can't make anything but the most basic dots. What do you pros out there use? I have a wheel and marking paper, but that's really hard on the pattern tissues and I like to re-use them if possible. What's your favorite and where do you get it? thanks Denise Iowa __**_ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/**listinfo/h-costumehttp://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume -- -Sg- ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
I love using Sew Line mechanical marking pencils with ceramic leads: http://wiseminds.com/thedigitalmirage/?p=136 Expensive, but they make the sharpest line when other marking methods fail me. In fact, I have almost entirely stopped using the designer pencils. --Rachel ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
Charco markers by Clover. Distinct, fine lines, no sharpening necessary, and very easy to reuse. Also refillable. Built in wheel. Comes in colors (pink, blue, yellow and possibly even white). Clover makes the best tools! I never use it to mark through the tissue. I pin, raise the tissue a bit at a time by folding back, and then mark. Darts and stuff I pin- mark only. ==Marjorie On Jan 12, 2012, at 6:07 AM, Land of Oz wrote: I've just about had it with the standard pencil type marking instruments at JoAnn's. If you try to sharpen them enough to make a detailed line, the chalk breaks off. If you try to leave the end wide and blunt, you can't make anything but the most basic dots. What do you pros out there use? I have a wheel and marking paper, but that's really hard on the pattern tissues and I like to re-use them if possible. What's your favorite and where do you get it? thanks Denise Iowa ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ==Marjorie Wilser @..@ @..@ @..@ Three Toad Press http://3toad.blogspot.com/ ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
oops. . . that link is Scranton Lace Company!! On Jan 12, 2012, at 7:27 AM, Galadriel wrote: I love using Sew Line mechanical marking pencils with ceramic leads: http://wiseminds.com/thedigitalmirage/?p=136 Expensive, but they make the sharpest line when other marking methods fail me. In fact, I have almost entirely stopped using the designer pencils. --Rachel ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ==Marjorie Wilser @..@ @..@ @..@ Three Toad Press http://3toad.blogspot.com/ ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
I never use it to mark through the tissue. I pin, raise the tissue a bit at a time by folding back, and then mark. Darts and stuff I pin-mark only. I have to admit, I often don't mark at all, or if I do I just make snips in the seam allowance to indicate dots, etc. However, yesterday I made a practice piece. It's a glove pattern - only 1/8 seam allowance and lots of fiddly bits, large dots, small dots, numbers and letters. Since it's just a practice glove, I should have just used a sharpie marker! I was a little frustrated in the end, and I still think I put the finger gussets in wrong. Now that I've made one, I think I will toss the written instructions out and put them together as it makes sense to me, not the pattern designer. :) Denise Iowa ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
I use squares of tailor's chalk, which I have in off-white, blue, pink, and yellow. I use the white if possible. I also use hand basting and tailor's tacks. Fran Lavolta Press Books on making historic clothing www.lavoltapress.com www.facebook.com/LavoltaPress On 1/12/2012 6:07 AM, Land of Oz wrote: I've just about had it with the standard pencil type marking instruments at JoAnn's. If you try to sharpen them enough to make a detailed line, the chalk breaks off. If you try to leave the end wide and blunt, you can't make anything but the most basic dots. What do you pros out there use? I have a wheel and marking paper, but that's really hard on the pattern tissues and I like to re-use them if possible. What's your favorite and where do you get it? ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
For marking on dark fabric i use a Japanese chalk wheel, which is fantastic - draws a very fine line and brushes off easily - or very soft school kid's chalk in bright colors - makes a slightly thicker line and also brushes off easily. I have not yet found the perfect tool for marking on white and other very light fabric. I sometimes use soft school kid's chalk in a somewhat darker color (i tend to use a medium blue), but i worry about it staining the fabric. I also sometimes use a very soft graphite pencil when i am certain the lines will be hidden by the stitching. Anahita ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
Anahita wrote: I have not yet found the perfect tool for marking on white and other very light fabric. I sometimes use soft school kid's chalk in a somewhat darker color (i tend to use a medium blue), but i worry about it staining the fabric. I also sometimes use a very soft graphite pencil when i am certain the lines will be hidden by the stitching. Once when I was bored I did a marker test. I searched through my pen stash and then went out and bought one each of about 6 or 8 different brands of non-permanent fine-line felt-tip pens. In all I think I had about a dozen types. I took a piece of scrap muslin and marked it off into squares with a permanent marker. I labeled each square permanently with the name of one of the non-permanent markers, and then used that non-permanent marker to make X's, scribbles and so forth inside the labeled marked square. Then I tossed the whole thing in the wash. Based on this test, I would advise not even bothering with red and black -- they seem to be the hardest colors to get rid of. The greens and blues did much better. I did find one color and brand of pen that has served me very well over the years -- fine lines, easy to use, lasts for at least 10 years (both in the pen and on the fabric) and 100% comes out with one washing. It was a particular type of green Pilot Fineliner (not the permanent kind) and of course, since then they have discontinued that particular type. I bought about a dozen when I first discovered how good they were and I'm on about my last two or three. When those run out I'll have to do another test. ;) Also, for white marking on dark fabric, I found that Schwann Stabilo “Aquarellable” pencils, white only (color #8052) were the best of the lot. They do still need frequent sharpening, so they're better for sewing (where 1/32 of an inch matters less) than for embroidery. Most of the wash-out markers I've tested did well, especially ones sold for use in kindergartens. Likewise wash-out tempera paint for schools seems to be pretty good, though I haven't tried letting it sit for long periods. The pigments are too coarse to use in a pen, though. I wrote an article if anyone wants more details: http://wkneedle.bayrose.org/Articles/prick_pounce.html 0 Chris Laning | clan...@igc.org + Davis, California http://paternoster-row.org - http://paternosters.blogspot.com ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
Dritz just came out with one that has ceramic leads in white, pink and green. They can be gotten at joanns when the notions wall is half off for about eight dollars. Maggie H. Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry® -Original Message- From: Galadriel galadrielfi...@yahoo.com Sender: h-costume-boun...@indra.com Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:01:32 To: h-cost...@indra.com Reply-To: Historical Costume h-cost...@indra.com Subject: Re: [h-cost] marking tools WHOOPS! Sorry, I was multi-tasking. Here is the link to the Sewline ceramic marking pencil. It's mechanical so there is never any sharpening involved. It can be pricey (about $1 per lead) but it's worth it when you need precision: http://www.sewline-product.com/ Fons Porter at JoAnn sells a similar product but they only have white lead, so i'll buy that using a coupon, but if you need a color (pink, green or yellow) you have to go with the Sewline. --Rachel ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
Sew, now the question is which one on that page? None of them say they're a ceramic marking pencil. On Jan 12, 2012, at 2:01 PM, Galadriel wrote: WHOOPS! Sorry, I was multi-tasking. Here is the link to the Sewline ceramic marking pencil. It's mechanical so there is never any sharpening involved. It can be pricey (about $1 per lead) but it's worth it when you need precision: http://www.sewline-product.com/ Fons Porter at JoAnn sells a similar product but they only have white lead, so i'll buy that using a coupon, but if you need a color (pink, green or yellow) you have to go with the Sewline. --Rachel ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
http://www.sewline-product.com/ Just by accident I happened to stop in at a fabric store I *never* visit - and they had a variety of marking options that people here have recommended. she let me try out the sewling pencil and that's what I bought. It's the 4th one down on the above link. It makes a really fine line and it works just like a mechanical pencil. It came with white and I bought hot pink as well. Thanks for all the advice! Denise Iowa ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
On 01/12/2012 03:02 PM, lili...@earthlink.net wrote: I have not yet found the perfect tool for marking on white and other very light fabric. I sometimes use soft school kid's chalk in a somewhat darker color (i tend to use a medium blue), but i worry about it staining the fabric. I also sometimes use a very soft graphite pencil when i am certain the lines will be hidden by the stitching. You do know that they make tailor's chalk in light blue, as well as white? The Joann's near me sells them in a two pack (one white, one blue) for less than $3.00. -- Cathy Raymond ca...@thyrsus.com Even imperfection itself may have its ideal or perfect state. --Thomas de Quincey ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
To refill, for heaven's sake don't buy the tiny refills, when any hardware or home improvement store will sell you any amount of powdered chalk, meant to mark houses with a chalk line, for less money. For that matter, a chalk line is quite good marking for long straight cuts. Ann in CT From: Marjorie Wilser the3t...@gmail.com Charco markers by Clover. Distinct, fine lines, no sharpening necessary, and very easy to reuse. Also refillable. Built in wheel. Comes in colors (pink, blue, yellow and possibly even white). Clover makes the best tools! ==Marjorie ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
Instead of using a regular pencil sharpener, try using one made for eyebrow, eyeliner or eye shadow pencils. I don't know why, but they give you a much better point that doesn't break as easily. Carolann Schmitt www.genteelarts.com Ladies Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference, March 1-4, 2012 I've just about had it with the standard pencil type marking instruments at JoAnn's. If you try to sharpen them enough to make a detailed line, the chalk breaks off. ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] marking tools
On 01/12/2012 03:02 PM, I wrote: I have not yet found the perfect tool for marking on white and other very light fabric. I sometimes use soft school kid's chalk in a somewhat darker color (i tend to use a medium blue), but i worry about it staining the fabric. I also sometimes use a very soft graphite pencil when i am certain the lines will be hidden by the stitching. Cathy Raymond replied: You do know that they make tailor's chalk in light blue, as well as white? The Joann's near me sells them in a two pack (one white, one blue) for less than $3.00. Perhaps my blue tailor's chalk is just too old, because it is very hard and barely leaves a mark, so i like the soft chalks. Ann Catelli wrote: For that matter, a chalk line is quite good marking for long straight cuts. Now THERE is a thought! I mostly make Near and Middle Eastern costumes, and they pieces are built on rectangles, almost triangular gores, and trapezoids, so a chalk line would be very practical indeed. Thanks for the idea! Anahita ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
