I have tried both the pens and the pounce. Haven't mastered the pounce, but like the ideas given here. I will try before getting rid of the investment. I have regressed to the system I learned in Home Ec years ago...soap slivers. Have a bar of Ivory soap and slice off slivers as needed. The pattern stays put and washes out everytime. I only mark the area I'm working on at the moment.