What is the best marking "item" for your quilts?

pounce?
Pencils?
tailors chalk?
soap?
something else?

I prefer soap slivers on dark fabric. Haven't found anything I really like for light fabrics.

chalk for dark fabric and disappearing ink markers for lights.

I use General Chalk pencils in white or gray. The marks wash out and they are inexpensive. Roxanne's pencils are good marking pencils. Those are the only two I use.

Still searching

soap slivers for dark fabrics, but for light ones, I use chalk, but don't really like to as sometimes the line is still slightly visible even after washing

any time you use a pencil with chalk, i recommend wiping as much off after you quilt. Some use cotton t shirt fabric, terry cloth or a soft brush. I like the plastic brush yu get in the pet section of the store. what doesn't come off in the brushing then will wash out easier.

I use soap slivers on dark fabric and regular pencil, very lightly, on lights.

I use a plain old lead pencil (no.2, I guess)..it isnt too heavy a color, and it washes out (at least I think it does, I never see it later) and its cheap to use. (and I can always find one)

That is what I was taught to use and did for many years, now I tend to use dissappearing markers or water solubles, but sometimes I use my pounce and stencils. Just depends on the fabric I need to mark

So far my favourites are tailor's chalk for darks, and 'air-out' pens for lights. Although you can need to be swift with the pens - I marked up some fabric last night and it was gone by this afternoon (fortunately not a problem, but a bit quicker than I expected!!).

Love the new Frixion pens. They make a nice thin line and iron out beautifully. I understand the marks come back if your quilt is someplace that freezes, but is supposed to come out completely when washed.

regular blackboard chalk. Rubs off easily with a piece of batting or the Mr. Clean eraser type things (forgot the exact name). Box of chalk 99 cents at WalMart. I use a pencil sharpener to get a good point.

what ever comes out of the project i am working on- i use a pencil 95% of the time- the other times i am using chalk, or a pounce pad (if using stencils)
i always test to make sure what i want to use is going to come out- it doesn't always no matter what it is.

I was taught to use a pencil, lightly, as well. So far so good.

I used a regular #2 pencil on a quilt over 20 years ago. After numerous washings, the pencil marks are still there. I have tried everything to get them out. So beware of pencils. They don't always wash out.

I use the water soluble markers. Have never had a problem with them. I don't use a lot of dark fabrics but when I do I use the white pencil for quilts.

I have had good success with the air out or wash out blue pens. I had a gray chalk that hasn't come out yet even with washing. Pounce is too messy for me and falls off the fabric. The Amish lady I watched quilt used a fine line from a lead pencil. I like the idea of the blackboard chalk sharpened. Might give that a try.

I just read a couple of days ago that any heat or cold will bring the Frixion pen marks back. The manufacturer even stated that they do not encourage use on fabric, because the lines are always there - they don't go away... Don't think I'd use them to mark quilting...just saying....

All of the above.

I use pencil on the back side of light fabric or a marking pen if I need to mark the front. Tailors chalk for others.

Frixion gel pens for light fabrics-- the marks stay until you iron them away. And they REALLY work! Come in a variety of colors so there's plenty to choose from. For dark color fabrics I go back to my SewLine markers. The lines hold pretty well. One of my friends took a clover chaco marker removed their chalk powder and put in the pounce iron off powder. She says it marks fine and likes that it irons away when she's done. Since I still have plenty of refills for my Sewline, I haven't tried that yet.

I use all of them, depending on need. However, I also have a ceramic pencil and a silver pencil which show up best on dark fabrics and I think I use them the most.

Bohin marking pencil with different color leads that can be changed to what I need. I used a machincial pencil for years until I discovered this one. writes across the fabric without dragging.

another vote for chalk.

Disapearing ink on light and No.2 pencil on dark

For dark fabrics I like the Clover White marking pen. It disappears by ironing or washing. For light fabrics, I have the Fons and Porter chalk pen or Clover Charco markers (the one where you add powder chalk inside and it has roller to distribute the chalk. I don't really like the washable blue markers I'm afraid it won't wash out

Water soluble ink (marker)is the best, but expensive. Tried with a water soluble pencil but it wasn't soluble at all. I sometimes use a very cheap Bic pencil and it washes away easily.

For DARK fabrics I use any of the following and the last two come with different color lead so I'm sure there are colors that would work on LITE fabric:

The Clover White Marking pen (fine) - irons out.
Sewline Pencil (has refill lead like a Pentel) - washes out
Bohin (French) Crayon (fine) (just like Sewling Pencil) - " "

I use these because there is always a sharp tip - without having to sharpen anything.

I love the new pens that disappear when you iron them. They come in several colors and work great.

I hate the pounce. Maybe its just me ,but I make a mess with it.

I use pilot "friXion" pens for light colors ( you can buy them at Staples, 3 colors for about $5 a set ) and I use clo-chalk from Clotilde ( disappears within 5 days or when washed or ironed it disappears immediately )

I bought a Sewline (similar to a mechanical pencil) from my LQS and love the way it marks. Leads can be purchased in several different colors for marking different color fabrics. However, it cost $12 and change and gets contrary sometimes when I change lead. It's a pain in the neck to take apart and fiddle with until it works properly again. One of my quilting friends who had the same experience with her Sewline gave me a great tip. Walmart sells Bic Velocity 9mm mechanical pencils and a 4-pack is about $4.25, plus you get extra leads and erasers. These use the same leads as the Sewline. I bought a package of them the other day, but haven't used them yet. My friend says they are every bit as good as the pricey kind.

same here

Do you use a certain brand of soap? And do you make the slivers or just use the end of a bar of soap?

I have all of the above and use whichever one works as they al act different according to the fabric color.

Fri bought 2 "Frixion" pens at Staples --a 5 mm point also comes in 7 mm but I wanted fine tip. Came in blue or black -they were on sale for $3.50 for pkg of 2 same color.(Cnd money) Looked months ago but remember them being costly.
Hope these are the right kind as I look forward to using them. Used many type of markers /chalk thru the yrs.

I just brought the frixon pen. It irons off. I tested it and it works, I just marked a king size quilt. I think it will make the quilting easier

I use an air erase marker, but I make small things. You usually get 24 hours before they vanish.

When my children were babies, I took the slivers of Ivory soap and baked them overnight at 250 degrees. It made them perfect for marking dark fabric. I don't buy Ivory soap any more, so now I use soap stone markers on dark fabrics. I also pounce, and use chalk sticks and wheels.

Soap for dark color and a new gel fabric pen that disappears when it is heated. Just picked up one from my LQS and love it. It also has an end that looks like an eraser but is not. When it is rubbed against the mark and fabric it causes a Little friction and disappears