I'm not in this swap, and I don't know about the directions for the Wal-Mart crayons, but years ago when I colored pictures for a quilt, I put a Kleenex-type tissue over the picture before ironing it. That way, the wax doesn't move around on the picture but gets absorbed by the tissue. As for the colors being too light and the black changing to purple, I myself would love to know of some crayons that have nice strong colors the way they used to be. It seems to me that even Crayolas, which in my childhood were the best, are now too full of wax to deliver good color.

doris,
What you need to do is place a paper towel over the picture before ironing it.Also to make the colors stronger you need to recolor after each time you iron.....also dont move your iron around crayons to me aren't made like they were years ago........I colored mine 3 times......LoL hope this helps
also I used fabric pens I bought at Joann's
Red

You can use plain old Crayola crayons and those work the best IMHO.Make sure you shake off the excess crayon flakes b4 you iron it and yes do put a paper towel over it before PRESSING,Not ironing.I'd also cover my ironing board with a piece of muslin,an old sheet or whatever you have on hand.We did this one time at my quilting guild and they turned out very nice.
Kathi

PS we had also ironed freezer paper to our fabric first b4 coloring.and some of the ladies laid theirs on very fine sand paper.

I haven't started mine yet, though I THINK I've picked out the picture...

I just bought regular crayons.

I was at the Quilt/Craft/Sew fair in Del Mar last weekend and they had a booth with BEAUTIFUL very INTENSELY colored wall hangings. When you walked up close, it was all crayon. I think they were using regular crayons. I don't recall anything about special crayons.

I have bought fabric crayons. They were ok, but regular crayons work just as well and you have a better selection on colors. I put paper towels over my pictures then if they end up too light I keep adding color until I get what I want. I think it makes a beautiful block. I'm always on the lookout for good children's coloring books.
Carolyn

I used freezer paper and then traced the pattern onto muslin with pencil, went over it with Pigma pen and then colored directly on the fabric with regular Crayola crayons. I just colored darkly, then put a paper towel between the crayon and iron and ironed to get the wax out. The colors came out pretty vibrant. I had a little bit of running, but I also may have colored out of the lines (I'm out of practice on my coloring!) --Amy

Hello all--
This is what worked for me. I ironed my muslin on the freezer paper and I had my picture of my cat drawn out on paper and just eye balled it to the muslin using a pigmy pen. I then colored(leave the freezer paper on) with crayola crayons and pressed hard at times and other times left them lighter. I did not have any crayon flakes. I then took off the freezer paper and put a layer of paper towel on top of the muslin and set the iron on and got some wax out. It doesn't come out in great gobs. I made my cats quite large as it was easier to draw then a small one. Each of mine has some perfections believe me!!! I hope it goes better for you. Hope you aren't being too hard on yourself. Deanna

Also,
I would use crayola crayons as from experience with just coloring they are better. The others seem too waxy and that may be the problem. Good luck. D

Ok, today I'm taking my supplies with me to Mom's and trying it again.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
I've been using the Crayola Fabric Crayons; I'm taking my regular crayons with me to try.

I traced with pencil; I'll trace then outline with pigma pen.

I also pressed/ironed with regular paper over the picture (I have no idea why); I'm taking paper towel to use for setting.

I'll let you guys know how things go.

Thanks again.

doris=^.^=

Hi You All,
I've done some of this with my grandchildren. We did use regular crayola crayons. I used unprinted news print paper to put on my ironing board to protect it and over the piece to protect my iron. It worked really well.
I got it by going to the local newspaper and asking for the end of the rolls. (I orginally got it for packing to move). They will sometimes give it to you or sell it for a small price.

Doris , I suspect you are being too hard on yourself.
Have fun with it!
Sally

I have always wanted to do something with crayons. That's another one of my "someday" pile, which keeps growing!

I have a question. My mother colored her name on Muslim when she was a little. I. Ended up with the piece and I want to frame it. It is heavily creased from the fabric being folded. I want to iron the creases out but am afraid it will mess up the coloring. Can I press it with the paper towel method you all have talked about. This piece is probably 80-85 y/o. It is perfect condition.