BLOCK BREAKDOWN

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Update on White Lines...

I know you've all been waiting on bated breath to hear about the progress on True Colors.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, scroll down to the last two posts, or click here and here.

The news is not good...
Unfortunately, the solution provided by Blue Line Eraser did not work.  I used the White Line Eraser, filled the pen, and scrubbed in every direction.  This was the corner I treated after it had dried:

As you can see, the white lines are still there.  I was disgusted... crying... upset... all of it.  So my loving family and I went out to dinner in an attempt to not think about this quilt, even if only for an hour and a half.  Here's a peek at the wonderful dinner:

It was nice, nice to not be fretting about the quilt.  Well, that lasted for a little while.  Of course, sleep was elusive so I tossed and turned and thought about the quilt.  Joe tells me I'm nuts, that I should just send it out to the exhibit and then let it sit as a reminder (aka learning experience).  That I should just stop, give no more worry to this quilt and be done.  I can't... it is like a little piece of me and I know that somehow it can be fixed and shown.

Well, this morning rolled around.  Blue Line had already messaged me to see how the solution worked.  I responded and explained that at this point my only solution is to try painting over the lines with a black Shiva Paintstik.  That was the only thought that worked in my entire night of tossing and turning.  Why did the lines come out in Blue Line's test sample and not on my quilt?  That I don't know, perhaps because my markings had been on the quilt for almost a month?  We will probably never know.  I do know that I'll probably never use this pen again.  Please don't think this is Blue Line's fault -- the are not the manufacturer of the pen.  And they did come up with a solution that worked on their test samples.  We are still waiting to hear back from the pen manufacturer.  Again, it is a freak thing -- the lines went away when soaked, but they were still there you just couldn't see them -- unless you are using a flash -- crazy, strange, just an unknown!  So until there is a solution that just spritzes it away (even with the flash) it's not something I'll be using.

So, this morning I grabbed my trusty black Shiva paintstik and a brush and started painting.  Here is that same corner after using the Shiva paintstik -- not perfect, better.

So I continued, here's another view - the left is not painted, the right area is:

And again, I tried the paint in another area -- left unpainted, right side paint started:

It looks like I have a lot of painting in the next few days.  As well as snapping a million flash pictures to see where I have missed and need to repaint.  All while hoping and praying that it is not going through to the back.  If that happens I'll be done... at least with this quilt.  Oh, and I still have to bind this quilt. Looks like I'll be falling more behind on my client schedule - thank goodness for overnight deliveries, that should give me a few extra days to get this finished.  I'll still share the finished pictures when I'm actually finished... I guess I wasn't kidding when I called this the quilt that refused to be finished!

13 comments:

  1. Hold your head high. It shows the hard work you put into it. Still the most beautiful quilt I've ever seen. Id be proud to own it. :) I dont quilt but this quilt caught my eye on fb. Gorgeous. Everyone makes mistakes. This one isnt your fault. Learn from it and be proud of the amazing job you did. Alot of hard work I'm sure and it shows.

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  2. Karen, I so understand not wanting to let this go. Is it possible that soaking the quilt in HOT water has heat set the markings? Just an idea, as if that is the case, you would know what NOT to do, and still be able to use these markers on future projects - assuming it is the best tool for the job.

    Reguardless, this is a spectacular quilt!!! I LOVE the design of the pattern, I LOVE the quilting that you did on it. You are a truely talented artist.

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  3. I read your posts on the white marker. So sorry about your problem. It is a beautiful quilt and quilting. I have always been told to use cold water, not hot water to remove markings. Do you think the hot water set the marking on to the fabric? Just a thought. I've had stubborn markings that took a little extra water treatment but never ones that wouldn't go away. I know you have started painting but have you thought to soak it in cold water

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  4. Your quilt is SO BEAUTIFUL! I am sorry for your stress with the marking lines. I just really hate marking quilts because of this same reason, but we cannot always avoid marking. I do want to say that your painting looks so good. I think it is actually enhancing the quilting lines.

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  5. Elizabeth ZabinskiJuly 27, 2014 at 2:31 PM

    Bi Carbonate of soda (baking powder) put into a sprtiz bottle takes out almost anything, hope you have a sample left that you could try this on. maybe, just maybe, it might work for you. Personally I think this is a brilliant quilt

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  6. I wonder if white vinegar on a Q-tip might take the marks out?

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  7. I'm so sorry this has happened and so sorry the possible solutions haven't worked. At least we now know not to use this pen.

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  8. Karen, here's another aspect of "white stuff" showing up in flash photos but not in real life ... I was cruising the internet and I clicked on a link for photos of some star-studded award show and the red carpet. What the link actually showed was photos of female actresses who *apparently* left the make-up room looking less than stellar. But wait! That really wasn't the case.

    You know doggone well that for these award shows everyone is going to show up looking their best. And when you looked at these actresses in real life, their make up was perfect. But when seen in a photo where a *flash* was used, there was ALL SORT of "white stuff" on their faces ... under their eyes, across their foreheads, on their cheekbones. It was definitely puzzling.

    Until someone said that the "white stuff" was a setting powder and contained some sort of mineral that was reflective .... but who the heck knew *that*??

    In real life, they looked gorgeous. In flash photos, like they had gotten into their mother's make-up bag and played around.

    So, maybe there is some reflective "something" in the white marker, as it is obviously showing up in the flash photo but not in actual viewing.

    Something to think about and perhaps ask the manufacturer.

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  9. Is it possible the variable is the camera flash?

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  10. I think Elizabeth above means baking SODA, not baking POWDER.... Baking soda is bicarbonate of soda. Baking powder is made from bicarbonate of soda plus cream of tartar....

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  11. Hi Karen, I'm writing a series of posts about quilt marking https://addicted2fabric.wordpress.com/2014/09/23/quilt-marking-what-to-use-what-to-steer-clear-of-blue-line-erasable-white-pen/
    and have referenced your post and a photo. I hope that's okay, but if it isn't please let me know and I will remove the reference or photo or both.
    Wof1mof2@yahoo.com.au
    Ps: great post and awesome quilt! Well done!

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