I bought a Sewline (similar to a mechanical pencil) from my LQS and love the way it marks. Leads can be purchased in several different colors for marking different color fabrics. However, it cost $12 and change and gets contrary sometimes when I change lead. It's a pain in the neck to take apart and fiddle with until it works properly again. One of my quilting friends who had the same experience with her Sewline gave me a great tip. Walmart sells Bic Velocity 9mm mechanical pencils and a 4-pack is about $4.25, plus you get extra leads and erasers. These use the same leads as the Sewline. I bought a package of them the other day, but haven't used them yet. My friend says they are every bit as good as the pricey kind.