I have used a variety of marking pencils and chalks to mark my quilts but nothing compares, in my opinion, to the hera marker.
What is a Hera Marker?
A hera marker is a small piece of plastic with a curved tip used to make a crease in the fabric. I use the “Clover Hera Marker Slim” which is a slightly longer, slimmer version than the regular “Clover Hera Marker.” Honestly, I couldn’t tell you why I chose the slim version – all I remember is trying to find one online because I wanted to try it and this is what I ended up with.
How Does it Work?
To use the hera marker, line up the curved tip on the fabric and press down, like you're using a pencil, to create the lines or shapes you desire to quilt. I use my quilting rulers in order to achieve straight lines. The curved plastic creates a temporary crease in the fabric. I’ve used it on all shades of fabric, from light to dark, and have always been able to see the crease as I quilt on my machine. Also, there’s no harm if you decide not to quilt on the creased line. Over time or once the quilt is washed, the fabric relaxes and the crease isn’t visible.
Is This for Straight Line Quilting Only?
I have used the hera marker to mark both straight lines and curves (see my Guide quilt). I either use curved rulers or make my own curved units to create the shapes I wanted for curved quilting.
For walking-foot quilting, this little inexpensive tool has been a game-changer for me. It’s a fast, convenient tool that does not require any erasing or dusting off of any product after use.
Tools That Haven't Worked Well for Me
In the past, I generally used blue painter’s tape to mark quilt lines, but it always inevitably fell off after a few minutes. I also felt like I spent a lot of time getting the tape aligned and it would shift as soon as I started quilting. I’ve also used a grey quilter-specific pencil but it broke every time I sharpened it or pressed down to mark with it so it’s been thrown away. I also used chalk once to mark lines. I read some reviews that said yellow chalk was fine. It was not and left permanent marks on my quilt after washing it. After I read more reviews, (specific to trying to get it out after washing) I learned yellow really wasn’t designed for marking quilting lines. Now I’m too terrified to use any chalk.
My Conclusion
There are many products on the market and while I’ve tried several, I really don’t need to try anymore as I’m satisfied and pleased with both the ease of use and the outcome of using the hera marker.
This is my personal review of the hera marker – I was not asked to review nor was I paid by anyone/any company to review this product. I just like to share my experiences using various quilting notions.
A hera marker is a small piece of plastic with a curved tip used to make a crease in the fabric. I use the “Clover Hera Marker Slim” which is a slightly longer, slimmer version than the regular “Clover Hera Marker.” Honestly, I couldn’t tell you why I chose the slim version – all I remember is trying to find one online because I wanted to try it and this is what I ended up with.
How Does it Work?
To use the hera marker, line up the curved tip on the fabric and press down, like you're using a pencil, to create the lines or shapes you desire to quilt. I use my quilting rulers in order to achieve straight lines. The curved plastic creates a temporary crease in the fabric. I’ve used it on all shades of fabric, from light to dark, and have always been able to see the crease as I quilt on my machine. Also, there’s no harm if you decide not to quilt on the creased line. Over time or once the quilt is washed, the fabric relaxes and the crease isn’t visible.
Is This for Straight Line Quilting Only?
I have used the hera marker to mark both straight lines and curves (see my Guide quilt). I either use curved rulers or make my own curved units to create the shapes I wanted for curved quilting.
For walking-foot quilting, this little inexpensive tool has been a game-changer for me. It’s a fast, convenient tool that does not require any erasing or dusting off of any product after use.
Tools That Haven't Worked Well for Me
In the past, I generally used blue painter’s tape to mark quilt lines, but it always inevitably fell off after a few minutes. I also felt like I spent a lot of time getting the tape aligned and it would shift as soon as I started quilting. I’ve also used a grey quilter-specific pencil but it broke every time I sharpened it or pressed down to mark with it so it’s been thrown away. I also used chalk once to mark lines. I read some reviews that said yellow chalk was fine. It was not and left permanent marks on my quilt after washing it. After I read more reviews, (specific to trying to get it out after washing) I learned yellow really wasn’t designed for marking quilting lines. Now I’m too terrified to use any chalk.
My Conclusion
There are many products on the market and while I’ve tried several, I really don’t need to try anymore as I’m satisfied and pleased with both the ease of use and the outcome of using the hera marker.
This is my personal review of the hera marker – I was not asked to review nor was I paid by anyone/any company to review this product. I just like to share my experiences using various quilting notions.
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