Kitebuilder.com

[Chip]

This is a simple question from a new builder.

I started a project this weekend and was laying out the pattern on some red / white / blue Ripstop to cut it. I found that on the white I could use a pencil to draw the lines, however on the darker material of course it would not work. What do others use to mark dark material.

I errored on the side of large in cutting my peices so that I can come back and trim them to exact size before starting to sew. Issues with a missing and worn back up roller cutter and a missing steel straight edge.

Thanks for your advice and suggestions,
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[Progcraft]

I use a pencil on all colors of Ripstop. I've never had a problem. I use those mechanical pencil. I'm guessing it's just a standard lead. Maybe your pencil is a different type/number.
On purple and red, it is harder to see the pencil line, but good lighting helps a lot too. Pencil also shows up quite well on black fabric. (interestingly enough)

P.
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There is no box.

[KiteSquid]

I normaly just use a #2 or softer pencil, I usualy find that the softer ones work better for me. But they do rub off the fabric esaly if you rub your hand across the fabric... I also try to dull the point a little before I draw on the fabric as I dont wnat to score the fibers too much....

I have also used fabric pencils that are marketed to the quiters that are "Washout" type. They are sold at my local fabrics store in a package of three diffrent colors.

I have also used Tailor's chalk, Crayons, Machinenst's Soap Stone, colored pencils, Silver quilters pencil, waterbased ink pens, black board chalk, a carpenter's chalk line, Carbon paper...... There is a lot of diffrent things that will work. I recomend you use something that is water souble, so you can take it off easly once the kite is finished.

I have also just creased the fabric over a taut line or the edge of the table for a straight line.
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA


P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

[wdrwilson]

I use the Quilters pencils that Squid mentions...

They come in White, Black, Yellow and Teal.. at least the ones that I buy. The lead holds up well and doesn't were down as fast as a coloring pencil.

they are also eraseable so you can remove your marks easily..

try W*lMart in the fabric section...

--Bill

[dpb]

Quite often I find a material and a situation where I want a high contrast mark (for either a cutting guide or a sewing guide). I was at the art supply store with Diane, and found some really nice artists' colored pencils. They sharpen nicely to a point, and come in a full range of colors. I got a white and a couple other colors. Now if I really need a high contrast mark, I use one of those. Be careful though how you decide to use them though, as they don't always erase as easily as pencil. I mostly use them on long cuts, interior seams, double fold seams and on areas to be cut away or covered. In other words, I use them in a lot of applications.

Dave
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Cherry Blossoms fall like rain,
A lively kite steals the sky,
Paradise in a moment.

[Spence602]

I've found that if I use on one of 2 fabric marking pencils - gray or blue - that they are visible on any color - using whichever has the higher contrast.

Here's a white one!
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Spence
www.kiteshark.org

Air: Refreshing when stirred up and served cool on a hot day.

[Dorsal]

Silver pencils work very well on darker materials. Most stationers and art supply stores carry them.

[kiteguy]

I am frugal (cheap) so I went to the school suplly dept at the local W. Mart. I found a box of colored pencils with 8 colors for less than a buck. They work for me. Yellow shows up fine on blue and black material. White shows up great on red material, etc.

They seem to be about the same quality as the fabric pencils in the fabric dept. but way less expensive. Seems like the last white pencil I got at a fabric dept cost over a $.
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Dave Ellis
Kites + Kids = Education

[jamescrumley]

I use black lead in a mechanical pencil so the line is fairly constant width. Fabric pencils work ok but one must be careful to trim on the side of the line next to your straight edge because line width varies.

As others have mentioned, black shows up well on purple or black fabric if you have adequate lighting.

Jim

[wdrwilson]

The difference I find between the fabric pencil and coloring pencils is how soft the lead is. I don't like running to the sharperner every 5 minutes with the coloring pencils. I use coloring pencils when I can't find my quilters pencil... YMMV..

line width is definetely a pain... I have been using a mechanical pencil where possible.. my lighting isn't the best so I have to use white a lot..

--Bill