#2 pencil for marking?
 

Our grandmothers used a #2 sharpened pencil for marking quilting lines. Is it still ok to do this? And are the pencil lines hard to wash out? I've used the washable crayola markers for some time now and the points wear down so much that it bothers me now to use them.

I use a #2 pencil almost exclusively when marking quilt lines. It's the only thing I trust will wash out. They may not wash out the first time or two, but they will.

I've tried almost everything else available, but always go back to that #2 pencil. Lite lines, almost invisible when done. I have two Amish done quilts...smile as I see those very faint quilting lines.....

That's what I've used for all my quilts without any problems!! Also use on my labels-really helps there!

I've tried different things over the years and prefer the blue marker and/or chalk or soap. They just seem to come out easier. I tried pencil once and wasn't pleased with the results unfortunately. I don't want to have to wash multiple times and in our washer it just doesn't seem to get those out well. Do you use a specific type of laundry detergent?

I use the #2 once in awhile but keep an eraser and make-up brush nearby. the make-up brush helps to brush the excess eraser so it doesn't get embedded into the threads.

I use cheap mechanical pencils to mark. No idea if they come out or not, but the lines are always on the back and are so thin they don't show even on white.

I did that and years later got it out with Oxy clean. i soaked it in the sink and rubbed the lines a bit too.

I learned to make my lines very faint - so that I can barely see them. Then if they don't come out well, it is not very noticeable.

One time I drew the lines very dark - the lines were hard to remove.