I LOVE the iron-off chalk (Miracle or Ultimate - brand names). I make my own stencils and only use this. I have a mid-arm machine with which I push the fabric around under the needle (no frame). I pounce a limited area at one time, so the chalk doesn't lighten or disappear with handling. I even use it on very light colored fabrics - it's not the greatest, but I can still make out the image. I've removed the regular chalk in the chalk markers and put in the iron-off chalk. Then I use it to free draw designs on my quilt and can iron it off if I don't like the design.