Favorite Marking Tools

[my3boys]

What are your favorite pens/markers for drawing your quilting lines? 

Over the years I've used chalk, disappearing, water soluble, you name it. My main issue is with marking darker fabrics. I like the disappearing purple the best for most fabrics, but of course on darker colors it doesn't show up very well. The only white/light marker I've been able to find is the water soluble or chalk type. Both make a line that's too thick to my liking, and the chalk type seems to rub off too easily or smear. Sometimes the water soluble reappears after I remove it. 

I read somewhere online that the extra fine Pilot erasable gel pens work really well, even though Pilot doesn't recommend using them on fabric. However, fabric.com sells them as a marking tool, so I figured it was worth a try. I went ahead and bought a set each of fine and extra fine on Amazon. I guess we'll see.

Any advice ladies?

[Deleted]

I just like to cut up a bar of white soap and use the sharp slivers. Motel soap bars are great for this.

[my3boys]

Jul 12, 2015 18:53:36 GMT @rockriver said:

I just like to cut up a bar of white soap and use the sharp slivers. Motel soap bars are great for this.

Thanks. Never thought of that.

Bought a couple of new pencils, two brands I've never tried before. We'll see.

[Deleted]

Good question. I've been using Sew-Line ceramic pencils - they are mechanical and you can change the lead/ceramic colors depending on your fabric color - it comes in pink, green, white and graphite. I've not had a problem with them washing out so far, although I've read the pink can sometimes cause trouble. I like them because you can get a very fine line. I've been reading/hearing about Fons and Porter's water soluble graphite pencils - supposedly very good - next time I get to Joann or somewhere else that carries them, I plan to give them a shot.

[Deleted]

well so far I've had good luck with just plain old pencils on light fabrics and children's washable markers on others. When I finished my CW quilt I was worried about one of the markers I had used and thought I might end up washing a couple times...nope came out on the first wash!

[Maura]

I’ve used chalk on dark fabrics, which makes too wide a line. Then, I put a pencil line over the chalk.