Today I'm going to talk about a little talked about subject that is the use of pens in draping, because I imagine that you, like me, like to be on top of all the materials we use and also the news!
I use these brush pens, because the visualization is easier for those who watch me, but you won't see this practice in French ateliers or schools.
Know that the correct is the pencil or at most bic pen.
One pen that is allowed is the ghost pen. Her ink disappears with the heat of the iron. I didn't particularly agree with it, but there are people who use it and like it! This pen is very common among people who work with crafts, for us at draping it is useful in some moments, such as defining a neckline, an armhole or a decorative element in the mold, but you have to be careful, because as the ink adds up when the fabric is ironed, we may lose some important information at the time of planning. But anyway, it's an interesting material to have in your sewing or modeling kit.
The pens I use most often are the Sharpie pens, and I basically use the black and red ones, I really like this pen, as it is durable, does not smudge and the tip does not spoil. In addition, it can be found in different types of tips - thin or thick. However, you must use it with great care and attention, as this pen is a marker, so if you accidentally mark your mannequin, you will not be able to remove the stain.
In the classroom, the use of pens is prohibited precisely because of this, imagine what the mannequins would be like, if every semester the students used the pens? That's why in the classroom I always advised them to use only pencils. In the case of pencils, my favorites are the Faber-Castell model 6b or a soft mechanical pencil, with a number 9 lead.
At home I advise you to exercise with a fine pen or pencil, as we are drawing a pattern, and the ideal is that this pattern has maximum precision in the lines. So this care must also be taken when flattening the canvas, always make sure that the flattened pattern has precise lines, made with fine-tipped pens and dark colors!
It's also important to be careful with gel pens that tend to smudge and make the biggest mess! Always remember that your pattern needs to have clear and clean lines! Modeling is like an engineer's or architect's blueprint, isn't it? So do these steps with great care and gradually police yourself so that your lines are as clean as possible, just like the canvases we see in French ateliers!
Oh and remembering that the tips I gave here are not just for draping, in flat modeling you also need good materials and in this case a good mechanical pencil! There are several pencils in haberdashery and school supply stores, but depending on how you use modeling, it's worth investing in quality material!
List of Pens and Pencils
Frixion Pen (little fantasies) https://amzn.to/2X73x75
Sharpie pen https://amzn.to/2XePlZR
Bic pen https://amzn.to/3C4SPgz
Faber-Castell Pencil 6b https://amzn.to/2VCrQta
Graphite mechanical pencil n9 https://amzn.to/3E0DkYN