What type of marking pencils do you like the best? I tried marking a quilt top with EZ washout quilt marker and found that I had to press so darn hard to make a mark that it was moving the fabric.

I have been using white charcoal pencils that I picked up at Hobby Lobby. General something or other is the brand. I haven't had a wash out problem and I have no issue with them actually marking the fabric. I usually fight with marking pencils.

Sometimes I use a quilting marker and something I just find a washable crayola marker, depending on what the project is or where the marks are going to be.

I like the blue and white water erasable pens. Just a spritz of water takes them away when you are done.

I have used soap slivers to mark with. They wouldn't work for everything, but are sure easy to put on and clean off.

I am glad that you asked that question. I have some quilt tops from estate sales that I need to get together. I didn't know how I was going to mark them. I will being doing these on my machine. glenda in texas

I like using chalk to mark with, or if it is a quick project the air soluble pens are nice too.

maybe the new washout pens are better - but I bought something at a garage sale that had fade marks where it looks like it had been marked

I was thinking that chalk would work, but I was short on time so went to Walgreens to pick up some sticks - not a one in the store. Oh well, so much for the flower design I was going to use- they wound up like free form amoebas - but that's ok!

Thanks for all your imput! Hobby Lobby here I come........

I like pounce pads and stencils.

Try rubbing vinegar on the marks. It's supposed to take them out.

I use Sewline pencils. They are propelling pencils with 'leads' that are designed specifically for fabric. The leads come in several colours, I have the regular grey, and the white and yellow for dark fabrics. The company also makes a propelling fabric eraser and I recommend that too - if you haven't pressed hard, it works a treat!
http://www.sewline-product.com/

I lost the first pencil I bought, and couldn't do without it, so bought another. Of course, the first one turned up, so now I have two. I keep the regular lead in one, and either the yellow or white in the second one, so now I don't have to bother to change leads any more. I think now, the same company does a multiple pencil, so it might be worth checking that out.

I perfer watercolor pencils. They come in nearly every color and I look for one that matches the fabric and the quilting thread best.

I like Fons and Porter's pencils ... a pkg at JoAnns is about $14, but you get 4 different colors ... I also use dressmaker's chalk

I like using the Dritz washable marker. Never have had a problem with it.

Like z.bang, I use soap slivers too. My whole house smells good while I'm quilting.

I just tried the watercolor pencils too, and they work really well.

I've been using the Pounce. At first I couldn't get anything but a mess using it. All of a sudden it's working just fine. I like Roxannne's marking pencils and the marking pencils that The Stencil Co. sells. I think they are General.

I've taken more than one online class thru Longarm University (Cindy Roth) and she taught us to use the Crayola Washable Markers. They're easy to see, easy to use, BUT...you HAVE to wash the quilt to remove the marks. I've done it and it works, but if you're not going to wash it don't use them.

I like the Fons and Porter marking pencils.

Is there a reason you can't use a regular pencil? I'm guessing you are talking about for your patterned quilting designs here, and I am far, far from that stage of endeavor. So, I'm just asking out of curiosity.

Check out Jill Schumacher's website for white pencils she sells. I tried them and love them for dark fabric. She can only get them in a huge order so sells them as well. Very reasonable price too!

http://www.quiltmakertothequeen.com/

Actually this would be for marking the finished pieced quilt top for quilting, directly on the fabric. Need something that rubs off or washes out.

I use purple (vanish over time) blue (washout) and after trying all kinds for dark fabric, love the little chalk roller that my cousin presented me with.

I use the blue one

I use Sewline.

I use the Sewline "pink" pencil because it shows on light and dark fabric. Those pesky prints are tough to mark when multi colored.

I personally like and recommend:
Multi-pastel chalk pencils from General Pencil Co. However, only in white and light grey
General's Sketch and Wash. Is a black washable graphite. I've marked off white antique satin and lines were almost gone when I finished quilting
The cermic lead pencils - Available in these brands:
SewLine, Fons and Porter, Bohin and Collins. I suspect they all come out of the same factory. I use the white lead. It is strong and brushes off. I have had success with the plastic like brush that removes lint or pet hair.
It appears to act as a brush and an eraser. Have used this most successfully on black batik.
I do not recommend colors in any of the pencils - chalk or otherwise because they will have a color pigment in it.
I havn't tried the Sewline colors.
I also use the fine tip water erasable pen if am marking on vry light or white fabric. And I wash out. I do NOT spritz because I believe some of the color drifts down into the batting and may gravitate out in the future. I always recommend washing after marking.
And never the air disappearing fine tip pen. My theory is that while the color will disappear there is still a chemical in the fabric and might effect the fabric in the future.

I use a gray quilting pencil (getting harder to see it) but I really like to use soap slivers on anything dark enough to see it. I quilt in the ditch a lot,

I am presently handquilting a quilt and am marking lightly with a real sharp lead on the white background. The marks are nearly gone when I finish and I use a soft eraser to lightly brush between the stitches. The eraser is one of those that you can purchase at the Dollar Store and you get a lot of them of all colors in a package and slip them over the original eraser on the pencil.

I use the wash out one. God bless. Penny