Chalk
 

What have you found is the best chalk for marking? I'm looking for something to mark straight lines (or maybe slight curves) for quilting my quilt together. I've seen triangular ones advertised, are they good to use? Must be washable and I'm "assuming" all chalk is, but you never know. And something that makes narrow lines as opposed to thicker. Thanks!

I've heard that old fashioned school chalk work well.

Always look to see what it says about use and washability and such.

I don't know if there is ever a perfect/best product, so many variables. I have used the old fashioned chalk, dressmaker chalk, other chalks. The texture of the fabric can make a big difference. Typically I prefer the lowest tech/cheapest item, but I will buy an expensive pencil or whatever is needed for me to see which is an increasing challenge.

I'm a fan of the Pounce Pad chalk with Full Line Stencils and recently got the Ultimate Marking Pencil. It worked great for half my recent project but then my dog ate it... she does that to chapstick and pencils and pretty much anything that drops.
https://fulllinestencil.com/ultimate...ng-pencil.html

The sliver of soap can be a great marker, just shave it down to the point you want.

Please do a test to see if it washes out. I used a Chaco yellow on something I was hand quitting and it Took a long time to finish and some of that chalk never washed out no matter how many methods I tried.

I have always heard bad things about the color yellow ... seems like it doesn't matter what form it comes in, it's hard to wash out.

Agree with "avoid colours" because of the stain risks!
I've never had luck with any of the pencil crayon style chalks.
They've always seemed to break more than stay together!!

Depending on what type of marking I do, my white choices are below.
All disappear or mostly so, by the time I have finished the quilting.

* For straight line markings against a ruler ....
Clover 4712 Pen Style Chaco Liner White : Amazon.ca: Home

* A finer point than traditional chalk, for freehand or against a ruler. However, it dulls and if a fine line is needed, regular re-sharpening is required. (I only use the white in these refills) .....
Dritz 3095 Quilting Chalk Cartridge Set : Amazon.ca: Home

* A nice sharp line whether freehand or against a ruler. In most cases, my first choice! ....
Dritz 7757 Fons and Porter Mechanical Fabric Pencil, White : Amazon.ca: Home

*****Disclaimer***** I am not recommending Amazon because of these links.
Just an easy place to give you info and photos.

For those that follow ...... Your comments, Please? and Thanks!
I've never used these.
How do they work for our quilting purposes?

Clover Triangle Tailors Chalk, White : Amazon.ca: Clothing, Shoes & Accessories
Dritz 748 Tailor's Chalk and Holder : Amazon.ca: Home

A gentleman who teaches applique techniques at a local quilt shop said he uses number two pencils. I think he said he erases any lines that show, but he preferred working with something familiar and simple.

Thank you for your help and the hints about using yellow! I've been reading reviews on some marking items and it seems the triangular pieces of chalk I was originally looking at are very prone to breaking, often arriving in several places. I've been using a mechanical lead pencil and the main problem I've been having is that I have to bear down hard and that "pushes" the fabric somewhat, making things uneven. I'm trying to avoid this, hoping to find something that only requires a light touch. I've put the clover 4712 and dritz 7751 in my amazon shopping cart. Oh my, when I put the dritz in the cost was about $20.00, it just jumped to almost $40!!! That one might be out!

Edited to add, price of the dritz is back down to about $13. I was going by the above links which are for Amazon Canada, I'm in the US.

Another suggestion is a Hera marker. There are some tutorials on it and not expensive

Tailor's chalk is designed for use on fabric.
I've used pencil and it doesn't wash out.
Whatever you use, make sure you keep the package directions for how to remove all markings. There is one product that says ironing removes the marks, another product that says ironing makes it permanent. Be very careful to keep package directions with the products you use.

I use the Bohin Extra Fine Chalk Pencils. The line they make is like a pencil line and they completely washout and are refillable. You can get them on Amazon.

I use these as well. I like them better than the dritz chalk marking pencil as they are thinner lines. I only have a couple of colors - white for darks and I think pink (?) for lights. I've never had an issue with them washing out. The orange chalk in the dritz marking pencil set is equally as painful to remove as any yellow I've ever used. Most times for lights I use a #2 mechanical pencil. As long as I don't get too heavy-handed with my marking, those lines wash out. Sometimes need to use a soft toothbrush and dish soap to scrub out some heavy lines but they do ultimately wash out.

Peckish ... Does all tailor's chalk have wax in it? or just some?
.... as above, I haven't used, but am intrigued and wondering about its possibilities.

Just some. The wax kind is designed for use on wool fabric, such as men's suits. You hit it with an iron and it disappears into the fibers. If you use that kind on quilting cotton and hit it with an iron, it will leave a mark. The plain chalk kind doesn't leave marks that last very long, but the nice thing is the chalk simply brushes away.
The kind I like comes in powdered form with the little wheel, it makes a very fine line.

Thanks Peckish .... for the explanation about the wax type.
Moral of the story ... Buyer Beware and be sure to read!!
And then do ones own test trials to be sure!

I've found that General's Charcoal White pencils work better than chalk. I can't really get chalk pencils to write or sharpen very well, but the white charcoal pencil is my favorite marking tool.

I’ve never had success with chalk, despite trying several different types. I either couldn’t see the marks when I needed them, or they stubbornly stayed there when I did not.

These days, I use crayola washable markers. As long as the finished product is washable, I’ve never had a problem getting the lines out, even if they’ve been there for some time.

With dark fabric, I use slivers of regular bar soap. I’ve a tin where I save them. Cheap, it brushes off dry, washable, effective. I’ve been doing this for years. I’ve tried chalk, Bohin pencils, other methods, but prefer the plain old soap.