When I first got my pounce I couldn't get it to work right either. Then I went to a local fabric shop and she told me to take it outside and pound it on the sidewalk. Once the newness wore off the chalk gets through it works fine now. I use it with stencils I bought. I swipe it and pounce it both. When I'm using a lighter fabric I use my fabric pens that come out with heat. Wash the quilt when I'm finished and it all comes out in the wash.