The Best Marking Pen for Machine Quilting!

60 responses to “The Best Marking Pen for Machine Quilting!”

1. I love the Sewline marker with 3 color options of chalk in one pen, but when the original chalk is used up, I cannot get the marker to work again. I have the replacement chalk and instructions, but have not been able to use. It is a very fine point marker.

   1. Hi Carolyn. I use that same chalk marker and all I do is pull the top off – the whole part with the clip – and drop in a replacement chalk. Like you I love them, that fine line is great on dark fabrics and the lines erase so easily. Good luck.

2. I love the blue washable pens for light and some medium fabrics. And, like you I use white chalk for the darks.
   I noticed above you have a picture of the Dritz chalk cartridge set. What does one do with the other colors? I have the set and it came with 6 colors.

3. Yes, I use those markers. When they are on sale, I buy a couple of packs bc they are great for my grandbabies that like to color everything. These markers are really the best indeed

4. Cool! I just bought a box of these markers at JoAnn’s to try, and then I see your article. Thanks for doing that testing for us!

5. My go to for almost all fabrics is miracle chalk. I remove the chalk from the clover wheel and replace with white miracle chalk because it comes off with an iron….no washing! I can even see it on white, but not easily…..so usually use the blue washable marker or the purple air erase marker for white.

   1. Jo I did the same thing with the miracle chalk. It’s my favorite chalk.

      1. Where do you purchase “miracle chalk”? Have never heard of it…Thanks!

6. Best white marking tool for me is Mr. General’s Pastel Chalk pencil. Hand’s down.

   1. I use this also and love it.

7. Well I know what I’m buying at the next “ready for school sale”. Thank you for taking the time to do this. You’re a true teacher.

8. I agree about white chalk for dark fabrics, but not all white chalks are created equal. I got a white chalk “pencil” that I used to mark grids on a medium brown fabric (a tote bag). I stitched the.grids, and to this day cannot get rid of the chalk. It was not pressed. I have tried brushing it and washing it, but it remains. To make it even more visible, the stitching was done with a darker thread. I donated the chalk pencil to the burn pile. Give me good old tailor’s chalk every time.

   1. You are sure right….different chalks, different formulas. Some chalks have an oil in them that just won’t let go of the fabric. I use the white chalk from Dollartree. Cheap chalk that will mark and ALWAYS comes off for me, just brushing usually. I also use the colored chalk for some marking, also from Dollartree. The orange needs a damp cloth to remove but the rest just brush off for me. I don’t mark with a heavy hand. I use this chalk mostly to mark quilting lines for the longarm. So in this case, lower quality is better for quilt marking.

      1. How do you sharpen your chalk for a finer line?

9. I used a Frixion pen to make a wall hanging and now after some years have passed the mark has returned and when I attempted to iron it away of course the stain has remained. Any idea what I could use to remove the marks?? I no longer use Frixion pens on my quilts that I quilt but dig way back than, unfortunately….

   1. I used a Frixion pen to mark the crosshairs on a t-shirt for machine embroidery, and when the marks would not “iron away,” I used the Magic Eraser sponge!!!! And it worked!!!! The t-shirt has been washed several times and the marks never came back. THAT was the 1st and last time I used the Frixion pen for embroidery placement marking!!!!

      1. Thank you Maggie, I’ll have to give that a try, although these marks sure look like there pretty much permanent. Very disappointing…

   2. Some other ways to get rid of Frixion markers ….
      * your blower hair dryer
      * toss in the clothes dryer with heat

   3. From the frixion website I read that frixion ink never truly goes away. It just has a masking agent that is heat activated, and if you were to get the quilt cold all the marks will return.

10. Thanks for this!!
    I’ve heard many complaints of frixon coming back when it gets cold. I wonder if this would happen with the Crayola? I had a blue fabric marking pen, dritz maybe, this happened with and I’ve been too scared to use any marking since. Will try the Crayola 🙂

    1. Maybe Lori could put one of her sample in the freezer over night!

11. I like the Fons and Porter mechanical pencil. It gives a nice thin line and removes easily. It comes in white and graphite color.

12. I once used a white chalk pouncer on a dark indigo piece. The chalk brushed off, as expected, but when I photographed the quilt the chalk lines were visible in the photo. Wiping with a damp cloth did not help.

13. What a clever idea. I even have a box of the wash-away markers in the toy box for the grandchildren, but it never occurred to me to use them to mark quilts. On a related subject, I still use quilting stencils on some projects, but I’ve used baby powder instead of the pouncing chalk – it brushes off easily, but the pleasant smell lingers even in extended storage.

14. I’ve not had a problem with the orange marker although I only use it on dark fabrics where I can’t see the blue washout and for marking a complicated stencil design where white chalk would disappear too quickly. I’ve had two Sewline and Bohin ceramic lead pencils malfunction after trying to reload them so I purchased inexpensive Bic 0.9 mm pencils for my white and dark refill leads. They work like a charm.

    1. Great tip about using the Bic for chalk refills! Thanks!

    2. I’ve had problems with the original Sewline pencils malfunctioning. The first I returned to the LQS, and they exchanged for a new one. The second time, I had used it for sometime, so went straight to a Bic mechanical pencil, and marked it as being the ceramic lead. I keep two going, one for each of the dark and white ceramics.

15. I don’t always want to dunk my quilts in cold water, so I need a line that will disappear when spritzed with cold water. I find that the blue pens of various companies work if I add baking soda to cold water. I can mix up quite a bit – still works at room temperature. For small or complicated spots, I use an eye dropper to apply it. I’ve heard that the lines may come back if the quilt is left in a hot car (haven’t experienced it) but will disappear again if the quilt is placed in the freezer. I’m hoping that I will not have to test this theory.

16. Loved your suggestions and immediately went to Amazon and ordered both. Have used back frixion marker for several years and never had a problem. The best one to use seems to be the back. Have tried other colors but no luck. I have used a while chalk pencil that has wax in it and end up having to wash the quilt. Came across directions for removing using vinegar. Will test first!

17. The ONE color of Crayola washable pens I have used is, you guessed it, orange! I did manage to get the mark out finally, but it took some real scrubbing. So I’m very glad to know the brown, gray, blue, and green remove easily. Thanks!

18. NO but I will !!!

19. i LOVE this!!! Thanks for sharing! I want to do a test of my own now! Especially with the Frixion pens, because there is so much debate out there about them. I bought some of these markers a while back and I did a quick sample on a scrap fabric and it washed out beautifully. I pre-wash everything so now I’m thinking I can mark all my fabrics and see if it washes out. Then I’ll know for sure that it does wash out reliably. I just recently picked up a Dritz set. It was highly recommended by someone else, so I’m even happier to know it has your seal of approval, too!

20. I have been using them for the last year, good to know they work so good

21. Thank you for sharing your experiment! This is definitely something I struggle with.

    Do most people wash their quilts before gifting them? I never have, which is one reason I think I struggle with marking took issue.

22. This was so helpful. Thank you.

23. The best marking tool by far is the LEONIS, and it can be found at Amazon….about $10 for five small markers. One variety is air removable and the other Ind is water removable.

24. I love the crayola markers ultra clean washables. I only use white chalk when the markers will not show up on the fabric. I tested the markers a while back and the only time they wouldnt disappear is when I tried using just water. I have found that I have to use soap and water to remove the markers. but I wash my quilts anyway so no problem.

25. I love the Crayola washables, have used them for years. I never had trouble with any of the colors coming out if I actually washed the quilt in the gentle cycle of the washer using Woolite. I found just soaking them, I needed to avoid the reds (orange included). I only can’t see them on really dark blacks, but anything else I still use the Crayolas. Thanks for doing the tests.

26. I use the “ultimate marking pencil” when marking on darks. It is like the “pounce” product in the fact that it irons away but it in a stick form. It stays put until you are ready to remove it.

27. I have used washable markers for three years and never had a mark that wouldn’t come out. Yellow and orange are more difficult but I did manage to get the marks out. Hint: Use lots of water. Front load washing machines don’t seem to have enough water to get out all the marks

28. Thank you Lori! I’m going to visit Amazon and buy some of those washable markers.

29. My favorite for light colors and even darks is from Madam Sew. They are heat erasable fabric markers. And you can get refills for the pens. Work great and iron off easily.

30. I have used these pens for several years and they were recommended by a well kno. wn professional quilter. I don’t remember her name. I find it best if the fabric is immersed in water with a mild soap.

31. I have used with great success: Clover white it brushed right off but in some cases it didn’t stay long enough because it removes so easily. I did not like the blue one. In my small test area it didn’t come off so easily. I have used the Fixion pens successfully only on white and off white fabrics. On the darker fabrics, when I ironed It Removed the dye from the fabric. NOT GOOD! I have purchased the regular washable crayola markers, but haven’t tested as I was too chicken. Maybe the Ultra Clean would be a better choice. Recently, I’ve been enjoying a General’s Pastel Chalk Pencil. It’s white and has an eraser that works. It sharpens the old fashion way and removes easily. That is so far with only a light hand.

32. I’m a fairly new quilter and just marked a corner section of a quilt last week. I used a yellow dritz chalk marking pen on white fabric to mark a grid. I tried to brush off the chalk–no it didn’t come off. So, then I tried dabbing it with water–no it didn’t come off. I am sewing on the binding now so haven’t tried anything else on the yellow lines.
    These comments really has me getting nervous! I hope I can find a way to get the yellow chalk marking off!!! Any suggestions? Thank you!

    1. Try a tooth brush with straight Dawn liquid dish soap on it. This happened to me on a baby quilt and I had to scrub every mark with the Dawn, but the marks finally came out. I had to wash the quilt with cold water in the washing machine a couple of times to get all the soap out.

       1. Thanks! Dawn worked!

33. I’ve been using the Crayola marker for a year and a half. I buy them at the dollar store but have learned they don’t all have the fine tip I like.
    Every colour I have used (orange included) has washed out for me.

34. I prefer chalk that brushes off. I use white Ultimate Chalk in a pounce and their pressed pencil, which irons off easily. I’ll try it in the chaco liner. Great idea!
    As for marking on white, I’ve been stumped. I was going to try Crayola markers but I don’t wash wallhangings, so that won’t work. The ‘purple’ pen ruined a friend’s heirloom quilt, so now I don’t trust inks to reappear later. Still stumped!
    FYI: Frixion pens are NOT made for fabric and could eventually deteriorate it. We tested them at a retreat. They iron off beautifully but reappear in cold temps (we used the freezer for a few minutes) While most don’t store quilts in the cold, those living in northern climates should be aware. I use them only on inside seams or turned applique.

35. The Crayolas are my go-to as well for light, chalk for dark fabrics. Great post!

36. I use the Crayola markers as well. They work great and I have never had a problem washing them out.

37. Does the white chalk pencil (shown above with all the different colors) wash out? I have it, but didn’t figure it would wash out easily.

38. Don’t throwaway those small pieces of soap in your soap dish. There is always a piece of soap at my sewing machine for marking darker fabrics. Its economical and comes out with a spritz of water or the first time the quilt is washed. Pressing doesn’t seam to make it permanent although it will disappear. Scraping the edge to make it a fine line is easy with a knife and if it breaks it usually has a sharp edge for a fine line. When it gets too small to use it goes in the waste basket.

    1. I use a thin sliver of soap as well for dark colors. It even shows up some on light fabrics. I try not to use the really good soap with oils or moisturizers in it.

39. I use a Hera marker on all my baby quilts, that way I know there is no residue to bother young lungs.I also use it on larger quilts, especially for straight or gently curved lines. I have also use the purple air erase marker and then used a Clover eraser on it. All came out beautifully, but I don’t know long twr results yet.

40. I bought a package of washable markers, but never tried it. I use slivers of soap on my darks with no problems, and I use both Fons & Porter and Dritz refillable chalk markers in colors on lights. Any stubborn chalk marks will come out once the quilt is washed. I have had to Shout out the Dritz yellow on a quilt. Looks like I’ll have to play with those markers after all. 😉

41. I used a Sewline pencil once on a white print background on a baby quilt (quality fabric). Very, very lightly I drew my design with the pencil. Sewed on the lines and then could not get them to erase. Wore down and frayed the quilted thread in the process. Made me ill. Rubbed soap on all the lines and therefore the quilting and washed the quilt 3 times. The lines faded but I could still see them. My mistake for not testing first, but I will never mark with the Sewline pencil again.

42. Ihave used a bone marking tool I believe it was called hera by my grand mother, it makes an impression in the fabric as you draw your line .The only time It didn’t work was a humid day . The impression kept disappearing.

43. I have found theseGeneral’s Pastel chalk 4414 white from Amazon. They seem to work really well for me. Eraser on end and made in USA

44. I know I’m late to this party but when I learned to quilt 31year ago the teacher recommended a green Flair pen. I’ve never had trouble washing it out, but I do always test. Other colors of Flair markers don’t work as well. I will be trying the Crayol washable markers. Thanks for testing, Lori.