You know, there is one more item I want to mention. Although it's not very extravagant, I am absolutely *loving* the General Sketch and Wash pencils that someone on the board recommended awhile ago:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Y2MD16/
I keep one out now because I am using it all the time. Right now I am using it to mark the halves and quarters for my current quilt's multiple borders (much better than using straight pins). I also used it to draw lines when piecing the borders. This is really a nice pencil! I can press lightly and get a light mark, or I can press a little more heavily and get a really dark mark. And the best thing is, the marks will all wash out!
This is *so* much better than a regular pencil. I plan to use it to mark quilting lines on light fabrics. This pencil, along with sharpened chalk (for dark fabrics), are all I will need for marking quilting lines, I think.
I wish I could remember who recommended this pencil. Whoever it was, thank you!!!