Great info..thks

I use a regular lead pencil (either a #2 or a mechanical pencil) and a classroom variety 6- or 12-inch ruler. I find I can apply more pressure to the narrow ruler. That line is always on the wrong side and, more than likely, will disappear when the cut is made.

Great advice!

Be careful with what kind of gel pen you use. My husband dropped a gel pen on an expensive dress shirt he'd left laying on the floor, and the shirt wicked up enough ink to make a 2" stain. I tried everything I could think of on that stain and even did an hour's worth of research on the internet. I found that law enforcement recommends signing checks with gel ink pens because it's the one kind of ink that thieves cannot bleach out of checks.

Having said that, I agree with the others who say if you're going to cut on that line, whatever you use won't be a problem because the line will be inside the seam allowance.

I need to perhaps clarify my question about the gel pens. My problem isn't with what to use except that when I use a pencil the fabric moves or the pencil won't leave a mark. I thought maybe the gel pens would be smoother and not push the fabric. I do have the quarter inch ruler with the points on either end and the holes to mark for the middle and then you mark down the sides. But for some reason, my lines never are straight and I end up not having a true quarter inch seam. I also use the sandpaper to hold the fabric. Don't really know what I'm doing wrong! So frustrating! I can mark the center line just fine but then cannot figure out how to sew a quarter inch away from it. If I mark the quarter inch seam lines, they move on me. Thank you all for your tips and I will continue to try the different ones I am not already using. I do appreciate your help. I am going to order the gel pens while I can get free shipping. lol! Everyone have a great week!

I am going to try starting in the middle as you suggested. Maybe that will do it! The point is not what kind of marker but the fact that I cannot get a straight line and the fabric moves on me. Thanks so much!

It might be easier for you to mark your center cutting line with a ruler with a 45 degree angle line. Place that marking on the edge of your fabric and then use the cutting edge of your ruler to mark your fabric. If you have a 1/4" foot that should be fine for sewing your seams on either side of the drawn line.

Generally, I need to trim up my HST's so I cut the squares at 1" vs the 7/8" measurement. After they are sewn and pressed, I then place my 45 degree line on the seam line and trim to the measurement I need. I can't sew an accurate HST any other way to save my soul. What I do is more work and tedious to be sure but I get accurate HST's to continue my project.

I use Frixon pens to mark my line. I make my initial squares at least 1" larger than my finished square so I trim the edges after I sew on either side of the line and cut on the diagonal line. Since I am using the sewing line as my guide when trimming it doesn't make a lot of difference if my sewing line is exactly 1/4" away from the drawn line since no one will notice a slight variation in the seam allowance which is hidden on the underside. A slight variance in that will not affect the size of the finished HST if you use the seam line as your guide for trimming. I have Quilt in a Day HST ruler which you use to trim before you press. I really like that ruler but any ruler with a 45 degree line on it will work for trimming if you press open first.

I love the mechanical pencils. The yellow ones--Bic? Nice skinny line and always sharp. Can be turned back into itself when not in use and not risk breaking the tip. Find them in the stationery/office supply aisle.

I use blue water-erase pens. The felt tip doesn't drag on the fabric much.