I mark my quilts several ways---

A water erasable pen
A hera marker
A marking pencil
Pounce chalk and a stencil

Each quilt may require a different method because of the size of the quilt, the quilting pattern you choose, the color of the fabrics, etc.

Good luck and keep experimenting until you find what works for you.

I would worry about that chalk from the hardware store not coming out of the quilt.

I've used the crayola washable markers - the marks wash right out! Now I'm not marking and leaving it for months, I don't think that would be a great idea.

With any new method I do test samples before I mark the quilt.

I have heard that instead of pounce pads people have used baby powder in a sock and they pounce it on the stencil.
For drawing designs I use a marker (from walmart) that is blue (water sol.) on one end, and purple (disappearing ink) on the other end. It comes out really easy as long as you do what the directions say. I find that the blue end does not last long though! They are fairly cheap too though, I keep three around so I can swap them out by the time that the last one "runs dry" the first one is "juicy" again! lol

Tape! Yippee, a good new idea!! THANK YOU,

I use a disappearing pen. I just can't mark too much at once or it disappears before I get it done.

well, I'm a masking tape-r too! I have a whole box of kids colored chalks, but ever since I read somebody had trouble getting the blue out, and eventually they did, after many soakings, tried vinegar on a suggestion,...I haven't been brave enough to use it.
I might start with it in my seam allowances on a tote or a garment, and see how it goes.
My hubby uses a chalk-string, and i just asked him if he thought it would wash out, and he thinks it will. A quilter he ain't though, just so you know. He says if you mark tar ppr and it rains, it's gone, so...
(I had to add that before he left, he was getting his feelings hurt...he may be right though...thank you, honey :wink: )
I'd use a scrap first, as I don't like washing right after I'm done. I like the crisp look, not the hmmm, scrunched? antique? get my drift, lol?

I use the water erasable pen. Mark one cross-hatch line at a time. Occasionally I use quilters' chalk (on the darker fabrics).

I did some hand quilting and used Glad Press and Seal. I stuck that on to the fabric, its a very thin plastic wrap that isn't sticky but sticks when you press it down, if that makes any sense. You then mark your quilting pattern on it and sew through it. It tears off easily when you are finished and doesn't leave any sticky residue behind. Hopefully it is still available over there, it should be with other cling wraps, as I can't find anyone who stocks it in Australian anymore.

I use painters tape