The ultimate answer for ball point ink is spit, yes human spit. It's the acid in our saliva. Try having your hubby use a #3 pencil instead of the ball point. It leaves a fine line and doesn't smudge like a pen or #2. For cutting around templates that should work. If you have a chance to get somewhere to buy a marking pencil consider the Sewline fabric pencil. It's a mechanical pencil, designed for marking on fabrics - comes off with a special eraser or dab some water on it. Comes in different colors or buy one and use different refills. They are a bit pricey. I bought them Sunday for $12.95 each. Tried the black one and it works.