We have had several discussions about the frixion pens and whether they really wash out - sometimes they reappear in cold weather. Not a problem for us southerners but could be for someone living in a cold climate. Maybe do a search up above and get some more info on that and see if it would be an issue for you. I started using crayola washable markers. Always pretest and no problems yet

I used a mechanical pencil and it did NOT wash all the way out. Where there was a lot of stitching it didn't come out. I usually use the Crayola washable markers. I have ironed over them and it still came out. Sometimes you have to wash twice with different markers.

Thanks Becca!

I use blue water-erase pens the most. You have to be careful to wash them out before you iron though, or they can be set.

If I need markings that can be ironed, I use old-fashioned tailor's chalk. The kind that's squares of chalk that go into a holder. I have tailor's chalk in red, white, and blue.

Warning! Dritz blue washable markers will not come out from many batiks...especially pink or red( even if fabric prwashed,no heat). Ask me how I know��

Blue painter's tape works okay, but I've found that it interferes with the ability of the feet on the walking foot to adequately grip the top layer.

If you're as terrified to mark your quilt as I am, try water soluble stabilizer. It's now my go-to product. You can mark it with a black ultra fine point permanent marker, pin it to your quilt top and start quilting

Really!? The Dritz "Mark B Gone" pens??

I must not have ever used them on batiks before because I've never had them not come right out....I'm going to have to test that out when I get home!

(I usually use white chalk on batiks, 'cos they're so dark. But this is good to know!)

I took a hand quilting class not too long ago, and the woman who taught the class uses a No. 2 pencil and has used a No. 2 pencil since she learned how to quilt. She uses it for light fabric. For dark fabric, she uses tailor's chalk. I have used the No. 2 pencil, and it works beautifully. Washes out without a problem. You can see it without a problem. Easy to use. Nothing that I can find wrong with using it. I have used tape for marking long straight lines. The only down side to it was I used a lot of it, and it isn't cheap, but it does work very, very well.

Frixion all the way! I do like the felt ones better. You don't have to push so hard. And yes it has always washed out. I have about ten of them in my tools.

I used the water soluble transfer methods and when I took the plastic sheet off the thread had picked up the black and I had little black dots all over the quilt. Some came out when I washed it but it was still there when I gave it away. Luckily it was for my mom and she understands about that sort of thing. If you spritz your quilt oh so very lightly, the water soluble film will stick to your quilt and no chance of it shifting. Maybe it's because I used the regular Sharpie not the ultra fine.