Fabric markers recommendations
 

I’m getting ready to quilt my latest project, and I’m looking for recommendations for something to mark some wavy lines.

I’ve tried pens and pencils (both washable and wipe-away types) but I’m not satisfied with any of them. I can barely see the lines! I was at the store today and was tempted to buy a “soapstone marking pencil” but I figured I should get some recommendations here before I keep throwing my money away.

Many people swear by the Frixion pens. However, the company states clearly on the package that they are NOT to be used on fabric, so I question what future damage these pens will cause to the fabric. (I think about this when I see antique signature quilts that have holes where the signatures used to be - the ink has corroded the fabric. Will this type of damage be the same when using the Frixion pens? They haven't been around long enough to tell.)

Soapstone pencils work well. Chalk on dark fabrics works, too. I use pencils especially made for quilting (white, yellow and gray). I bought them at my local Walmart for under $5 for the three.

Hope this helps.

I use Crayola WASHABLE markers.

Do you mean that Crayola makes washable markers specifically for quilters/sewers? Or just use regular ol’ kiddie Crayola washable markers?

I bought the soapstone marking pencil and it doesn't work well. I too am constantly looking for the "perfect" marking pen. I don't think it exists! Anyway I have had good luck with the white Chaco chalk liner pen. It does mark well on dark fabrics, and comes off quickly because it's chalk.

Ok. I saw the Chaco and considered that also.

I wonder what people do when the quilt has both dark and light fabrics (like my current project). Hmm. This should be interesting.

I feel the same about not using the Frixion pens. I have the soapstone pencil and it sucks, don't waste your money.
For darker fabrics, I've used slivers of bar soap, it works very well. So does the chalk BUT keep the package instructions! I am amazed at how many people buy a marking product, don't keep the packaging, and can't remember how to remove the marks. The chalk markers become permanent once you iron over them - something to keep in mind.

I would never have guessed this! Thanks for the tip!

I continue to look for that perfect marker and have not found it yet. My latest success comes with the Frixion pens. I have used them and the ink disappears clearly for me. I don't do a lot of markings on my quilts at this point in time. Mostly I am stippling so no markings necessary. I always keep in mind what the manufactures says but since all my quilts are utility or bed quilts and not show quilts but to date I have seen no residues. I also wash all my quilts as soon as they are finished with extra washing soda and as I said to date have seen no residues.

My go to is the purple air pen and chalk

I swear by Crayola! Have used it for years and it always washed out with plain water or if I just wait until the final wash the quilt receives!

I use several different things, but it also depends on what I'm doing at the time. The Sewline Mechanical Pencils are wonderful for marking when piecing but so far, I won't use my pink one on Muslin to mark a quilt pattern. I checked on how easy it would remove before I started my niece's quilt, the marks stayed, even after I used soap and water.

My go-to for marking quilting patterns though are heat erasable pens, they come in black, blue, green, red and white. I've had extremely good luck with all of them working and no returning of the marks hours or days later. Even the white is a strong, strong white, though you do have to wait a minute or two for the mark to eventually appear. A hot iron with a little bit of steam erases the mark completely.

Another vote for Crayola washable markers! Marks always wash out, I haven’t had any marks reappear and they come in a fine line style, which I like.

Crayola Washable markers are wonderful for marking. I use them all the time.

Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers are the greatest ever. I always use these for marking and have never had a problem with any color. I've left them on a quilt for more than a year, ironed on them, and they always wash out. I do wash every quilt in the machine on warm (with color catchers because I'm not a prewasher) with detergent and these markers wash out every time. Whenever the kids have to do the 100 Days of School shirts, we always mark on their white t-shirts with these markers in every color and they wash out perfectly every time. Every color. Every time.

Link so you can you see exactly which kind: https://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Washable-Markers-Classic-Colors

I never mark for quilting as I mainly do FMQ. I do mark blocks with numbers, etc. I wash all quilts when finished and all colors wash entirely. I have always used the crayola washable school markers.

I wash in cold water and cold water tide.

just test any yellow marker you get. they are prone to not wanting to come out of every fabric for some quilters.

I use the washable markers also and get them at Walmart. I did use the fixion pens for awhile and don't have any now!

My favorite marking tool on dark fabrics is a white General's charcoal (not chalk) pencil. It sharpens better and draws darker than a chalk pencil. Comes off pretty well, too.

I do like to use the pink Frixion pen on light fabric. It's not as invasive as black ink. I usually just use it to put dots on the fabric, but it will shadow if I draw a long line.

Marks made with Frixion pens will reappear if the fabric is subjected to cold termperatures. You can test this yourself (I did) by marking a scrap of fabric using the Frixion pen, then putting the fabric into the freezer for a couple of hours. The markes show up again. Since I assume someone may use one of my quilts in a cold car or something, I won't use Frixion pens for marking quilts.