michelle i love sewing on my vintage machines best for piecing quilts. i looked at those spiffy new babylock machines (long time bl user) and thought to myself "yeppers i gotta get me one of those" and then i saw the price. holy gee whiz!!!!! then i sewed on one at my lqs sewing day and know that i will score a newer babylock some day but i will never give up my vintage machines. not a chance.
i have never used a pounce pad so i truly didn't know what you were referring to. i love tailor's chalk, a carry over from my sewing days, so i went to my lqs and bought up a bunch at $.25 each. now i have some frixon pens (due to a generous sp pkg) and will try those. my lqs assured me they will wash out and not show up again unless i live in alaska or the anartic where it gets really cold.
i am not the biggest gadget person so i too will rely on the innovative knowledge of my secret pals to introduce me to other magnificent tools and creations available in the quilting world. and ^5 (high five) to you on stepping into the current world of quilting.
mary