don't feel lonely Chunkymama, I didn't think of it either, ( I'm chunky too) LOL

Thank you for the tips on using regular chalk, I like being able to save money on notions so that I have more money left for fabrics and thread :D

I seen on a tv show that instead of using the pouncers, this quilter had the loose chalk powder in a rubber maid container and used a foam brush. She just dabbed a very small amount on the brush and lightly brushed it on her stencils, a little really went a long way. This method also kept the chalk dust down to a minimum, she showed how pouncing made the dust fly all over the quilt and surrounding surfaces, but little went anywhere other than the stencil using the brush. I have been trying to figure out the easiest (and not so messy) way to make chalk dust out of regular chalk, now. :D

try the zest side of your grater. the chalk in those pouncer is a little pricey but it stays put untill you iron it off, it doesn't rub off (too much) from handling

ewwww doesn't sharpening the chalk give you hideous chills?? sounds like a great idea, but i'm afraid i'd have to bribe the girls to sharpen it for me in the other room! LOL

Except, by the time they got done, you'd probably have a pretty little pile of chalk dust jbs! :lol:

Doesn't bother me to sharpen chalk, but I never liked writing on a blackboard. ~~~~s~h~i~v~e~r~~~~ :mrgreen:

I bought the Fons and Porter chalk marker, works fine for straight lines but not well for curves. I have the pounce and like it very much. I did learn that you can use corn starch in the pounce when you run out of chalk. Cheaper.

Cinnamon works well in a pounce bag as well, I also save soap that gets worn down to very thin and it works great on dark fabrics as well. When it looses it's edge I just keep turning till edge is gone and get me another thin piece, when there is no edge left. I make sure I clean my machine out well after using cinnamon , and the smell is an added bonus, for me anyway.

all good suggestions. I just bought the ones from Fons and Porter, but haven't tried them out yet.

Hi!> I have a set of these chalk markers. Bought them at a JoAnn's in New Jersey

Got mine at JoAnns too, took advantage of the 50% off coupons I had, the fabric was already on sale.