Hello,I have always thought that a stiletto was to be used for marking quilting patterns.You can only use on 100o/o cotton and before you put your three layers together(top,wadding and backing) if you see what I mean.The marks stay a long time and of course need no removing after quilting. I have found lovely old stilettos at car boot sales or antique markets, mostly made of bone and some of them with lovely carved designs ,a great way of collecting items cheaply that preserve old crafts. Hope that helps,Happy Christmas, Letty