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Question of the Week

Question for the week of April 9, 2001:

Our question this week comes from Peggy

Is there anyway get lead pencil markings out of my all cotton quilt ? - have tried hair spray and alcohol but no luck

michelle@lanux.com :
I used template pencil to mark a yellow quilt.

Shout in the gell form worked. It did not get under the stiches real well but everything else came out just fine.

Drumlin :
I have to go with the Shout...that stuff is magic. And I've washed quilts in the washing machine on gentle, and no damage done. I think all the bathtub lugging is a little over-rated. Just DON'T use a commercial washing machine! Very dangerous!
stdowning@netzero.net :
I have made 68 quilts and have always used a #2 pencil for marking - after I make a quilt I always wash it before giving it to whoever - I wash all my quilts in Tide - I have never had a problem - all my quilts are made with cotton, sewn by hand, and have cotton batting. Good Luck
Valerie McRae :
I found that Orvis Soap lightly rubbed on the pencil lines
removed the pesky things! Also I don't mark ahead anymore.
I erase by section as well. Leaving the pencil lines on
too long makes them harder to get out.

Good luck!

Christiane :
I would just wash it with warm water and hair shampoo. It should disappear.
Greetings from Germany
Linda Rudasill - Belton, Texas :
SHOUT IT OUT---WORKS EVERYTIME.
junequilt :
Try some Ivory soap and a little peroxide on an old toothbrush. Rinse well.
Carolyn :
I had the same problem with a family quilt that was packed away for years. The quilt was made in 1937. I called the local quilt stores and was given this info. It took some time, but worked for me. Mix a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid, a small amount of rubbing alchol into a cup of water. Swish it around, dip an old toothbrush into it and rub the toothbrush over the markings. This worked on the old pencil marks. I then filled my machine with cold water, put the quilt in and plunged it up and down, then set to drain and spin, don't agitate in the machine. Hope this helps.
Johanna :
Try "Zout Stain Remover" - it took out magic marker from my hand-quilted wedding quilt I was giving as a gift, when my 2 year old got a hold of it. I think I have seen it in Coltide mag. It is available locally in stores here in Wis. (Kohls, etc.) Have seen it in other stores in the midwest. Good Luck.
CalicoCutUp@aol.com
carolyn :
Have you tried using a really old and soft
t-shirt to rub it out? I read this in one
of my magazine or quiling books. Don't get
anything wet though.
sally :
Try soap and water, just alittle at first, more if necessary. Or wash the whole quilt.
Loretta Tyson :
I get lead pencil markings of of my cotton material by spraying with "SHOUT" exactly on the marking and using a soft toothbrush to brush it after it has set for a while, then I wash it like I normally would. It has worked for me.
Jean :
I always mark my quilts with a @2 pencil, when completed, wash with laundry detergent and have never had a mark remain afterwards.
Jackie :
Have you tried a product call "Lestoil" In Wisconsin we can find it in the grocery store near the soaps, cleaners.

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