I've got a small assortment of the basic "colored pencil" style of dressmaking pencils, and I hate them. They don't mark the fabric unless I mash it hard, and then it makes a fat line and distorts the weave of the threads. They do wash out, but they're basically useless if they're not going to mark easily.

I love handquilting, and I'd like to incorporate more complex stitch patterns into my quilts (I'd prefer to draw them on, rather than stenciling). I would like to find a pencil or chalk or something that can mark in a fine line, is *not* air soluble, and will wash out (obviously). I don't trust the washable ink markers, but if you can reassure me that they'll wash out completely, I might give it a go.

Any ideas?

I think I have a box of dress markers chalk - not sure if it will wash out or not - will check and get back to you

I use the Dritz Water Soluable pen and it works great. Has always washed out for me. Just don't heat set.

I do a lot of hand quilting and I use quilter's pencils- usually the one that looks like a regular pencil.
I haven't had any problems. I don't really trust the kind that are inky and wash out. I could be wrong on this but I've always worried about the ink reappearing.

I like Sewfine. After you sew through the marked line, you can brush it off or use the earse it has.

I have used Drilz? chalk pencils and like them, but the line is not always as thin as I'd like. As far as the washable markers, my girls have t-shirts that have preprinted pictures on them (not colored in) and washable markers. They color the t-shirts and when they get washed the picture is blank again - all the marker comes out - and they can start over. I think I've washed 3-4 times now and the marker has always washed out. Try it on a pillow case or something - something you don't really care about. See if it works for you.

I like sewfine also.

I've tried these, and liked them until I had to sharpen them. I tried several pencil sharpeners, and the lead always broke. How do you sharpen them?

I like my Sewline refillable pencil. It was a gift. Before that I used tailor chalk with no problems.

I use Sewline too and they also wash out. They're great.

Yes, I've had that problem too. Now I'm wondering about the sewfine they're talking about.
Can anyone tell me where to get them??
Thanks!

It's Sewline pencils. You can get them online and I've gotten them from my LQS

Thanks, VirtualBernie!

Thanks I've wondered the sa
Me thing!!

You are both welcome! (you and Painiacs) I love them because they come in a lot of colors--pink, yellow, green and white are the one's I have and have never had a problem with them

There's also a "Bohn" brand but seem to be more expensive.

I got my from Amzon.

I love the Frixion pilot pens. I only wish they would come out with a white

I just bought some of them because of comments on this board. I tested on 100% cotton and it worked wonderfully. I happened to be making some bridesmaids dresses and had some polyester and that failed miserably! Just a word of caution--always test on the fabric you will be using...

I'd like a white one also!

I hand quilt and primarily use a mechanical pencil with #2 soft lead. Never had a problem with it washing out and it can be seen on most fabrics. For darker fabrics I have the Bohin mechanical pencil with a white lead. It works well and have not had issues with their lead washing out. I also have the Dritz chalk mechanical style pencil with the different colored chalk leads. I have not had an issues with any of these colors washing out as others said on another thread here on the board but best to test. That said, you will not get a particularly fine line with those markers. I can't tell you how many markers; pencils; chalks, etc. I have tried and still just go back to my good old mechanical #2 pencil - never need to worry about sharpening either.

Same here!! The red is a favorite...it even comes out of white. But, can only be used on cotton. I also wish they came out with a white or silver. I wonder if we started emailing them...hmmmm....
I also like the wheelie thingie w/ the chalk in a tube. And, I save my soap slivers -- they're nice for marking free-hand patterns and wash out the first time the quilt is put in the washer.

I have found Sewline to be the best for my purposes. Multicoloured chalks which are fine and go into a propelling pencil. I found all of the other types unsuitable for various reasons but have yet to really work with the ceramic pencils.

For marking on light fabrics, I use the Ultimate marking pencil, which also has refills available, in the usual pencil lead, or colors. For dark fabrics, I love the Fons and Porter white marking pencil, which also has refills in colors. Both of these pencils make very fine lines, include erasers, which actually work, and I find that I need no other marking tools.
Fons and Porter can be found at JoAnn's or quilt shops; I have only seen the Ultimate Pencil at quilt shops.

I too would like to find a chalk marker that is fine and not overly fragile. When taking a class the instructer turned me on to a triangular dressmakers Clochalk marker. Woe is me, I lost it and can't find another to purchase...Help!
Anywho, I usually return to watersoluble markers and the trusty soap sliver.

I have been using the quilters gray pencil for years. I don't like any of the latest marking tools. They usually fade too soon or not at all, don't wash out and most are too hard to see. Got a good idea from a dressmaker the other day. She uses nothing but old fashioned school chalk in all colors as needed. She keeps a small pencil sharpener close and sharpens the chalk to a fine drawing line. I'm going to WM today for chalk. What have I got to lose?

I've tried many and like the Fons and Porter refillable ceramic pencil. Lead comes inwhite and grey. Makes a nice sharp line.

The sewline pencils have a ceramic lead they are really good Joannes also sells two different brands of them one is on the notions wall and the other is in the fons and porter section they are 12.99 -14.99

I like the Dritz, too. I have quilted a couple of quilts with them and haven't had any problem. The ink comes out with a spray of water and has never reappeared even after washing. Be careful to stay away from heat until the ink is washed out. Love your kitty, Sewcrafty!

I have been using the quilters gray pencil for years. I don't like any of the latest marking tools. They usually fade too soon or not at all, don't wash out and most are too hard to see. Got a good idea from a dressmaker the other day. She uses nothing but old fashioned school chalk in all colors as needed. She keeps a small pencil sharpener close and sharpens the chalk to a fine drawing line. I'm going to WM today for chalk. What have I got to lose?[/quote]

That sounds interesting. I think I'll try it too. You can also get chalk holders to keep your hands from getting chalky but you may have to get them at an office supply or school supply store. I've seen teachers use them.

I use mark be gone (a blue water soluble) that comes out easily. However, I wouldn't trust it to sit there for years until I got around to that particular quilt. I would use it right before quilting and wash out right away.

And I use Sewline. I was so happy to see that one come out. Those white and silver quilters pencils were always breaking on me and never worked that well. And the light colored Sewline works great on dark fabric.

And now, thanks to all the information from you wonderful people I will try and have ordered from Amazon Pilot Frixion Erasable Fine point gel pens. Now I can see that they erase, but do they come out in the wash?

I use Fons & Porter mechanical marking pencil. The leads come in many different colors. Get them at Joann's on sale or with a coupon.

i have a clover pencil sharpener that i bought from sue nichols that works wonderful. it is cute looks like a thimble.

I use taylors chalk, inexpensive and comes in many colors, also soap shivers are great for dark colors.

I also like Sewline and love them. I use the charcoal color and the white.

I have tryed every pen on the market and nothing works, until I found a pen called Frixion make by Pilot. Come out with heat, just run a warm iorn over it, comes out every time. You can get it a Walgreens or Computers stores.

Oops, I mean Iron, sorry...

General chalk pencils, from an art supply store, my quilting teacher says these are the best pencils to use for quilting as she has tried all the quilting related supplies, and prefers these and they have a lot of different colors fro marking

I just finished hand quilting a quilt for my daughter. I started quilting it about 4 years ago. I am not a fast quilter. I used the blue marking pen and the marks were there for about 3-4 years.
When I finished quilting I held my breath and started spraying with plain water.....and the marks all came out. What a relief!!!
Every time I stopped quilting I folded the quilt up with the top on the inside so there was no light getting to the markings. I don't know if this helped, but the water soluble pens do work.

With a hand held sharpener, turn the sharpener, not the pencil. Since I started doing this I rarely break the lead, unless the pencil has fallen on a hard floor - when that happens, the lead in the pencil can break.

I use Prismacolor artists colored pencils, in white and light blue. I stay away from yellow, red and other colors because they contain dyes that might stain the fabric. I also use a marker from Bohin that's similar to the Sewline, but I only have the white leads for it, and for fabrics that are dark enough, I like the Clover white pen. It irons off.

Janet

I have found the cheapest Bic pencils works great and they do wash out....gives a very fine line....works best on light fabrics...

I use the Fons and Porter lead (black and white) but the actual mechanical pen that they sell is expensive, so I bought a cheap mechanical pen set and use the F&P lead in it.One white and one black. Works great! Just make sure you get the right size pen for the lead.