I am working on my prep for my wedding signature quilt blocks. There are two issues that I keep coming back to.
The first is making sure that guests sign on the right part of the block, inside the seam allowance. What I've come up with so far is adding a freezer paper backing on the part that should be signed. When I made a mock-up, I realized that I could write on the back of the freezer paper to explain.
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| Back side |
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| Front side |
The second question is pens - I've narrowed it down to a Sharpie or a Pigma pen. I've tested both and found that the Pigma pen bled a little bit but had a bolder result. The Sharpie looks faded but doesn't bleed. Any advice or thoughts from people who have done this large-scale?
What if you sew borders onto the white squares? I know that's probably a lot of work, but it would solve the problem -- then the signatures would be exactly where they're supposed to be, and your guests would get an idea of what you were going to be doing with the squares. Just a thought!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Clear instructions on the back are a good idea, but I think visible markings on the front will help eliminate out of place signatures. I've never tried it, but Eric's suggestion sounds good - or try using a water soluble pen to draw guidelines on the front. I've used Pigma pens some, but not extensively, for marking quilt labels and never had a problem with bleeding or fading.
ReplyDeleteI second the suggestion to use something like a water-soluble marking pen to draw a frame on the fabric as well as having the instructions on the back.
ReplyDeleteI've read/heard that using an iron to heat set the writing helps reduce fading/bleeding.
Welcome to WIP Wednesday, by the way - it *is* great to get feedback from a wider audience!
I definitely vote Pigma Pen. I've used this for labels for years with no bleeding or fading. It gets heat set well.
ReplyDeleteThe freezer paper on the back will also be handy to make it easier for people to write.
Regardless what you do for a border and instructions, there still might be people who write beyond. Obviously you won't want to throw out any signatures, so consider a second block for the final quilt. That way you know it isn't a big deal if it happens.
Welcome to the Workshop!