What's the Longest You've Left Mark-B-Gone on a WIP?

[BethK]

Hello Stitchers

I am working on a Scarlet Quince project (John Henry Dearle's Tree of Life). This has 214k stitches in total so it's going to take me a while (like, 3yrs at least...) My previous projects have been Orenco Designs which I can finish in less than a year.

I've always used the blue, water soluble "Mark-B-Gone" pens to grid my projects and I've never had an issue with the grid lines not completely washing away. Since this SQ project is going to take a lot longer, I wondering how long I can safely leave the grid lines on aida.

I don't want to do too many "interim" washings because my city's water has a ton for chlorine in it. I'd hate for the top to get all fuzzy and faded versus the bottom. But... It will also be tragic if my grid lines don't wash out. Can I do it once a year? Should I do it every 3 months on the dot?

If anyone has any experience with grid lines washing out (or not washing out) over time, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks, BethK

[Allyn]

I don't use the marking pen, so I can't help you with that, but I can make a suggestion for your water. To get rid of chlorine in tap water that you want to wash your stitching in, fill a bucket/tub/basin with water and just let it sit 24 hours. The chlorine dissipates. I learned that years ago when I had tropical fish. You never add tap water to the fish tank -- first because the temperature difference can kill the fish; and second because if it's city water, it'll have chlorine in it. Just fill a jug with water and let it sit and the chlorine goes away. I also do that for my dog. He won't drink water freshly added to his bowl if it's straight from the tap because of the chlorine smell. I keep a gallon jug in the refrigerator for water that we use to drink and fill the dog's bowl from. I tried one of those fancy filter pitchers, but honestly, just filling the jug with tap water and putting it in the frig the night before was enough to have drinking water without that strong chemical smell. Just make sure you draw enough water to wash and rinse your stitching.

[rcperryls]

I use the Mark-B-Gone to grid my projects and have left some on for well over a year. I find that the grid is more likely to fade away before I need to wash it. I only grid a page + a few extra columns or rows at a time. Mostly because my eyes seem to lose focus after that. I might be surprised some time in the future, but so far, I have no complaints about it and can't imagine stitching the BAPs without it.

Carole

[BethK]

Thank you both. The earliest lines I put on are definitely fading so it's possible I'll be able to get away without too many interim washing's.

Allyn: That's great to know. I've never trusted that enough of the chlorine would actually come out of the sitting water to make it safe for bright colors/delicate fabric. I also spotted that my local grocery store sells jugs of distilled water. I imagine that would work too.

[richardandtracy]

Silly question:
Do you have an airconditioner/dehumidifier?

If so, the water that drains out of it is distilled water. It may have some airborne bacterial/dust in it, but otherwise it'll be pretty clean, and it will certainly be free of chlorine.
However, don't get too hung up on the chlorine thing. If the water is regarded as safe to drink, it can't be that harmful.

Regards,

Richard.

[littleturtlegirl]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia!

I am currently working on my longest project, it has been nine months now. I have used the pen and I find that the light in some areas has faded the line, so I just reapply. When I first started, I didn't want to take the time to weave the metallic to make a grid. I am happy with the pen, but in the future I might try to weave string for longer projects... I just realized this comment doesn't have help in it, sorry.

[Bianca-XS]

Have left the blue on projects for years and I have never washed any of my projects before it's finished.

However, I use an Aqua Doodle pen (there like 4 for a couple of dollars) and fill it with water and erase the blue lines as I stitch close to it.

This works perfectly and is a lot cheaper than the Dritz water pen (although their tips are a lot finer).

I have never had problems with the blue on Aida or evenweave, but I wouldn't recommend it on linen.

Do want to mention that on a different forum a lady indicated she washed (with detergent) a finished piece that had mark-be-gone and instead of the blue lines coming out they changed color & she couldn't get them out.

The mark-be-gone is supposed to be removed with water only. If you don't remove the lines while you're stitching you might perhaps run a rinse cycle first if you wash in the machine.
Although I have never washed any of my finished pieces in a washing machine. I am probably the slowest stitcher ever and it takes me years to finish a project. Don't want to take chances and rinse first & then handwash.

Hope this helps.

Am going to start my new Scarlet Quince project as I think the Fray check is dry now.

Happy stitchin'!

Best,
Bianca