Is there a "perfect" (temporary) marking tool?
 

From what I have read:

The "perfect" (temporary) marking tool will

- leave marks that stay long enough so that one can quilt the item (or place the applique pieces) however long after it was marked
- will be completely removable
- will never show up after one thinks they have been removed
- do not damage the fabric in any way
- will not turn the fabric a funky color years later

So far, from what I have read - the Crayola ultra-clean washable markers and marking with soap slivers seem to come closest to fitting the above criteria.

Crayola gets my vote.. I love them things. I have never tried soap.. interesting

The white ceramic pencils get my vote.

(Of course, this is only good for fabrics with contrast.)

The grey ceramics are good for lighter fabrics.
However, I find they show more-so after the fact,
causing "work" to remove them after the fact.
While I use them, I wouldn't call them the "perfect" option!

i love the soap slivers... have purchased the washable markers but haven't used them yet

White chalk and blue water soluble markers. I took classes from Jamie Wallen and he said that there was no reason for anyone to invent anything else.

I tried Crayola--but the green didn't wash out.
I love the soap slivers because they are free and easy to wash out--if I'm washing the quilt. Not good for gifts.
I really love the air erasable pink Trace'n Mark by Nancy Zieman. Humidity level determines how long the marks remain.
And in most situations I like Frixion pens, but I found out the hard way I need to test the fabric as sometimes a white line remains after ironing. Great for white fabrics.
My favorite quilt marker is Dritz Tailor's chalk in the green and white pen. Very thin line of chalk that will erase but stay while I quilt. However, I can't mark the whole quilt as it does rub off.
I'm not sure there is a really perfect marker, but there is the perfect marker for every situation.

Sewline pencil or plain ordinary school chalk

These are the two options I use too :-) LOVE the blue water soluble marker.

I've been working with Golden Threads paper. You mark the paper, pin it on and quilt over your lines. Then rip off the paper when done. Even the little pieces come off easy.

I'm a white chalk person too.

Crayola washables all the way. I tested all colors on new fabric and vintage sheets (use both in quilting) and had no problems.
Just don't use the off-brand...

I really like white and colored chalk. I'm a bit leery of markers but from what everyone says maybe I'll try those Crayola ones.

I use white chalk for dark fabric and a soft pencil for lights.

How do you get the Crayola out?

Here is my test project getting a bath after marking with the Ultra Washable Crayola Markers.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]577919[/ATTACH]

I tested every color and they all washed out after setting for a few days and being pressed with a hot iron and spray starch.

I also like this method.

Soap slivers or white chalk on dark fabrics if I'm marking as I go. Sewline white ceramic on dark if I'm marking something that needs to stay on the quilt for a while.

purple air erase on light fabrics if I'm marking as I go. If it needs to stay on for a while, then blue water soluble for light fabrics.

Rob

Until I learned to use ballpoint pen on this, I discovered that the pencil lines "bled" onto the fabric. I use a very sharp set of tweezers to get the little bits of paper out between the stitches.

Wow! I love this! You were brave to use it for your test project.

I also use the Golden Thread to quilt my quilts. I have found that using the Crayola washable markers work the best. If anything gets left on the quilt, it will wash out. My latest example.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]577934[/ATTACH]

I love Crayola Washable Markers....just wish they can in a super super fine point.

I use the blue water soluble markers. No problems because I always wash my quilts when I finish with them.

I just love my Hera marker nothing to do after. I'm too afraid to use markers, to many of my quilts have white background. Just used it on steel grey fabric no problem seeing the marks.

I use the blue water-erase most often, unless it's something where I'm going to need to press it before I can remove the lines, or if it's a color where the blue doesn't show. Then I tend to default to old school tailor's chalk, the kind that comes as a solid square or triangle. Hard to get really fine lines with that stuff, though.

I haven't tried the crayola washable markers - I should give those a shot. I've tried a lot of other things I didn't like for one reason or another, but I haven't tried those yet.

Fastpedal, this quilt is stunning! It looks like an antique.

Hera markers are great for marking. I also use one to make a stitch line when I'm making half-square triangles. So easy to sew them that way.

I don't think there is one single marking tool that works on most things that can be seen by most. I use purple disappearing pen, pencil, chalk markers and tape. I do a lot more freeform quilting just to avoid marking.

Well you have to define temporary. I LOVE the Sewline air erasable pens. Great for immediate stitching.

Wash it! Doesn't need soap.

My mother, a quilter of 40 years, by hotel room soaps. They are small, easy handle and wash completely out.

I find I am going more and more for the ordinary school chalk. It is incredibly cheap, sharpens easy and brushes off.

I agree! I've tried them all!

Haven't seen the Crayola Markers. Are they in Fabric Dept. or Stationary.

My Favorite is the Blue Pen--one end stays indefinitely; one end just stays a short time. Get them at Wal-Mart.
Mariah

I bought mine on Amazon, try to stay away from the back to school crowds now, haven't tried them yet tho

Can't say it's perfect but works for me.....fine line pencil for white and light fabrics, white chalk for dark fabrics.
I try to be very careful marking my quilting lines and then quilt right on top of them so, really, there's nothing to erase and it stays on the whole time it takes me to quilt my quilt.

I don't think there is a perfect marking pen or pencil. I have tried a lot. I did a guild presentation on it. I did find that with several different methods I tried, blue seemed to be the hardest color to remove. I tried all colors of Crayola markers and a set of colored pencils I saw recommended. I used a bunch of different fabrics. On a few fabric the blue didn't come out. I tried ironing over them and not ironing.I used the blue water erase on a project that was heavily quilted. The marks were only there for 2 days. I had a terrible time getting them out. I have never tried the Hera markers. I sure wish there was something that worked for everything.

And whatever you do - DON'T do what I did. Total novice move: I had to mark a high contrast quilt. So I marked the dark spots with pounce and the light spots with blue wash-away pen. When I was done I realized the folly of my plan. The pen sets with heat and the pounce needs to be ironed off. I ended up spritzing the blue areas and then ironing off the chalk. Never again! I was so worried about messing up.

I keep one of those water-brush pens handy and TRY to remember to remove blue lines ASAP after quilting over them. I need to take frequent breaks to stretch my back and move around anyway, so that's a little "chore" I can do during those breaks; usually without even removing the quilt from the machine. Otherwise I'm so afraid I'm going to forget and iron the marks in while I'm doing the binding or something. I haven't done it yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time...

Several times I've had the blue water soluble marker re-appear after washing. Thought it was gone, then it would show up again in spots days later.:thumbdown: