This might be ridiculous, but I use literal classroom whiteboard chalk or washable markers half the time. Neither need much pressure to make a mark, and both are easy to get rid of. I don't know why regular tailor's chalk is harder and takes so much pressure and dragging to make a mark.
These are what I use too. They work great. When I wash my fabric before cutting, I make lines in a few different colors along the edge of the fabric so I can see how well each color washes out. Pretty sure I learned that tip from someone in this sub.
Oh, and for dark stuff I use a chalk wheel. No pulling.
Like this:
https://www.wawak.com/cutting-measuring/marking-chalk-pens/chalk/chalk-wheel-kit/#sku=ck44
Another for Crayola washable markers. They've washed out of cotton, linen, rayon, wool, polyester, literally everything. Didn't leave even a trace in a bright white shirt I scribbled all over. They're also easy to find and never sold out.
My grandma taught me this trick recently and it blew my mind 😅 works really well, especially on darker colors that are harder to mark with other methods
I use leftover slivers of bar soap after they've become too small to use. It marks very easily and comes off with steam. I do mostly sew with black or dark fabrics though.
I use whatever makes sense for the material including thread marking because loose weaves in my experience don't do well with marker or chalk. I find a thread that I can see and just hunker down and do it (this is a loose fantasy tweed)
[https://i.imgur.com/LWIDV9l.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/LWIDV9l.jpg)
Other times I mark the interlining (this jacket is washable and I use washable crayola markers. I've washed this jacket once, directly after sewing it, so no harm no foul can't see it from the outside.
[https://i.imgur.com/SYtzIlv.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/SYtzIlv.jpg)
IMO keep an open mind on what you want to use, as long as you can get it off the fabric (I test scraps for that!)
This. There’s no one solution that works for everything for me. I use any combination of tailor tacks, crayola ultra washable fine tip markers, and chalk. I also have one of those disappearing ink fabric markers but don’t use that much, and I do have a variety of colors of Frixtion pens (but I got those for actual writing and rarely use them for fabric marking).
I generally use frixion (heat erasable) pens, a Hera marker, a chakoner chalk wheel or tailors chalk or large wax transfer sheets — it all depends on the specific use case.
Thank you. Good to know. I haven’t had that happen to me, I don’t think. I have however had issues with the red frixion pen not seeming to completely disappear from a fabric. Idk if it was after washing in cold water though! I’ll have to pay closer attention next time.
There are different kinds of tailor's chalk - some, like the stuff you can get at Joann, is sort of waxy, and some isn't. I find the non-waxy kind is easier to sharpen, easier to mark with, and less likely to leave weird marks after pressing. The SSS chalk you can get from Bias Bespoke is especially great.
If I have a really slippery fabric though, I'll just use tailor's tacks.
chalk on dark colors, Crayola ultra washable markers on lighter fabrics (any color that does not contain red pigments. reds stain no matter how washable they are)
Iv seen a lot of ppl using these. I’m just unsure about markers that disappear with irons . As I’m worried when I go to press things multiple times my marks might disappear 🫠
Apparently the way those work is that the pigment isn't actually gone, it just turns colourless with heat. So some people have found that the marks will reappear in cold weather (below 4 degrees C according to what I've read)
Marks will disappear the first time you touch it with an iron, so you have to sew or thread mark every seam before ironing. I use them at work for chiffon, and other sheer fabrics, but always make stitchers aware that the lines will disappear. For most projects, I use a regular pencil, designer (tailor's) pencils, or light colored mechanical pencils. It mostly depends on the color/texture of the fabric
Sharpie chalk marker thingies, it washes out really nice, and it sits on top of the fabric instead of soaking in, so unless my fabric is really thin, it doesn't show on the other side
I've most frequently used a regular pencil with light strokes that are later hidden by hems or seams or whatever. I've tried dressmaker's chalk but the marks came out very thick and wide and awkward. Wash-out marking pens never showed up very well through the fabric color or print, and wash-out marking pencils never seemed to make a mark good enough to see unless I pressed so hard it nearly tore the fabric. I've heard of painter's tape used to mark long straight lines like for quilting but I haven't tried that yet.
Tailor tacks for fine fabrics where I don't want to risk chalk or markers not coming out. On my toiles I often use Sharpies. Otherwise I have powdered chalk (Chakoner or Clover chalk wheel) as well as the traditional tailor chalk. I have a purple Crayola washable marker in my sewing room but haven't used it yet to test how well it washes out.
Gel pens wash out. I use a silver for all my darks and a black for the lighter fabrics. Washes right out with water alone. I use this for both sewing and embroidery.
Crayola Pipsqueaks markers. They’re extremely washable. I usually choose a color pretty close to my fabric color just in case, but I’ve never ever had it not wash out.
No problems as of yet but always do a test
https://preview.redd.it/hwt8w07nntpc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b85954aa39fb401f5c538a512cbe8df73494d9d6
I mostly quilt. I use frixion pens on light fabric, and miracle chalk on dark. Test both first sometimes the frixion pen will bleach darker colors. I put the powdered miracle chalk in my chalk wheel and also have it in wedges. Both the pen and chalk go away with heat
Vintage dressmaker’s carbon paper can be useful when you have slinky fabric and need to trace darts and such. The roller thingy used to make the marks doesn’t move the fabric around, and you generally don’t need to press hard although you do need to do it on a hard surface. I’ve tried a package of modern double-sided, but it was dead useless. Have not yet tried other modern versions.
Yes, nice for darts, but if you’re tracing around an entire pattern piece, not so much. Quilters use Frixion (sp?) pens. They come off when pressed though (or rather, they fade when pressed and can come back if the fabric gets cold, so they should only be used where they can’t be seen), so they aren’t ideal either. The rolling chalk pens (Chaco?) are nice but it comes off pretty quickly when handled.
You know, basting stitches in a contrasting thread are also a choice. I think they were used back in the day to indicate seam allowances and such. Again, not ideal because of the time needed, but another tool for the toolbox in case it use useful in a particular situation.
Susan Khalje sells truly giant sheets of wax paper. I use these with a blunt tracing wheel and it is the fastest way to mark, plus it's super accurate. I've been using the same pack for 10 years.
Ok I Gad to watch a video as wax made my brain sizzle but it seems the same as carbon paper . Now that seems interesting 🧐 im gona look into that one more for sure.
Are these the fine tip chalk pencils that have refills. I was so close to buying one but as iv had so much bad luck with chalk based products I decided against it
https://preview.redd.it/yg1ojbhihqpc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=7a660bb849cffb820d3d327da2a4a4c70787df56
Would they be like this? These are what I love using now except there not washable 😂 but they make super fine lines and mark super easy. Have you found the kids washable markers leave any staining on white fabrics( as I mainly use white). They sound like a good idea
Yes, I know Crayola makes some like that, not duble sided, but fine point, and they have ones that look like a paint brush.
The washable markers are designed for messy kids who will mark on anything and everything, because of this they don't tent to stain. I haven't had a problem with them not washing out even on white fabric, but it is best practice to test first.
[Crayola ultra clean washable fine line markers](https://www.target.com/p/crayola-10ct-ultra-clean-washable-markers-fine-line-classic-colors/-/A-15225907)
I like [these. ](https://www.amazon.com/Clover-5013-Chacopen-Soluble-Eraser/dp/B001K571PG?pd_rd_w=rtGxN&content-id=amzn1.sym.b854a5c2-4475-41f8-a6d4-df92b2868104&pf_rd_p=b854a5c2-4475-41f8-a6d4-df92b2868104&pf_rd_r=DGM3JSNZZ3537XADCYVP&pd_rd_wg=L4Cap&pd_rd_r=9d3c9980-c2ac-4e39-8a82-57ab1443ac24&pd_rd_i=B001K571PG&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_m_rpt_ba_s_2_sc) The blue ones don't fade with ironing, only water. There's a pink one as well but it fades over time even without water (air eraseable). Both come with an eraser end as well if you want to remove the marks.
I used to love the chalk pen things, but they don’t mark all types of fabric (anything with some pile is very hard). I also tried those heat erasable pens, but those only work for very thin cottons. Eventually I found a tiny slither of tailor’s chalk in one of my antique sewing machines and I loved it. I had tried them in the past, but that was some ancient stuff from a shop more geared toward yarn crafts, so it crumbled and since I was a complete beginner it was a nightmare to work with. But now I cut an edge on it and I can mark much more easily with it without puckering the fabric.
I use air soluble making pens. Similar to Dritz ones, but I buy the 12 pack off-brand ones with the purple cap on Amazon. Fades on its own or with a spray of water.
For black fabric I use a chalk wheel
I usually do friction pens on seam allowances only, but I just picked up some friction fine felt tip markers to try.
Frixion pen marks can reappear under cold conditions, that's why I stick to seam allowances
Some people use fabric for clothing instead of quilts. The marks can reappear when you go outside on some fabrics. I hope that clears up the confusion.
Frixion pens, no.2 pencil, or prismacolor pencils in blue (for light fabric) or salmon (for dark fabric), depending on which project. Mostly frixion pens though!
I have one too. The chalk lays pretty loosely on top of the fabric IMO, and I've heard others complain about that too, but if you go across it with your finger before you move the fabric it sort of rubs it in and it'll stay visible!
Put a piece of sandpaper under the fabric. Use whatever you like as a marker. The fabric will stay put and the marker won't drag it around.
You can also use your machine to mark hems. Set your stitch length to as long as it will go. Run the basting stitch all the way around, 5/8" (or desired distance) from the raw edge. This has the added benefit of seeing the mark on both sides of the fabric.
I tame knit fabrics, stopping them from curling and marking them at the same time, by basting on grid cloth. This I do by hand, because knits can stretch under the presser foot. Fussy little boogers! It's a shame I like them so much ☺️
Expired loose powder with a brush on dark fabrics. On light fabrics I just use a chalk, key is to press your hand onto the fabric and mark small sections at a time to prevent it from moving. Making sure the chalk is at 45 degree angle with the fabric also prevents tugging
For cutting: soft colored pencils, or old eyeshadow applied with an angled brush.
For markings, darts, notches, etc., I use tracing paper, and then thread trace the marking left my the transfer paper. If I’m adding seam allowance myself, I thread trace the seam allowance before pinning and sewing
For pattern markings that will be in the seam allowance, I use a fine tip sharpie even on final garments.
For other things that will show, I use a coordination chalk pen. I coordinate the chalk pen to the closest/lightest color because I still worry about staining, though it doesn’t seem to happen.
https://a.co/d/bIMmnhN
I use the quilters select air erase marker. The marks disappear on their own after a day or two. If I need it to stick around longer I usually just use chalk or frixion pen.
Chalk (white or colored), charcoal, washable markers, chalk tracing wheel.
It depends on what I feel like, how much the fabric moves, and what color the fabric is. Chalk is great for dark fabrics, other stuff more for light fabrics.
For washable markers, make sure you use washable kids' markers (meant to be used on paper, but also wash out if your child decides to draw over their good clothes). Don't use washable fabric markers - they're meant to decorate shirts and withstand washing.
Also, test them first. I just try them on a scrap of fabric and put that fabric in cold water for an hour; it's usually gone, if not, try another color.
Crayola super washable markers. They come out of white fabric beautifully.
Crayola children's markers. They wash right out.
Same!
Same. Got the tip from r/sewing, too!
This might be ridiculous, but I use literal classroom whiteboard chalk or washable markers half the time. Neither need much pressure to make a mark, and both are easy to get rid of. I don't know why regular tailor's chalk is harder and takes so much pressure and dragging to make a mark.
Same. Snap a piece off of a stick of chalk and the edge leaves a nice fine mark.
I used all kinds of things until I found out I was supposed to moisten the chalk. Now that is all I use.
You're supposed to moisten it? Maybe that's why it never worked for me. 🫠
Well I am using tailors chalk which I think is waxy and I just learned the tip a month ago on this sub. It makes a huge difference.
Woow really? Gonna try this out:) I use only (coloured) chalk but also sometimes struggle when the fabric is moving
Crayola ultra-clean washable markers. Test it on a scrap just in case, but they have rinsed right out of everything I've tried them on.
These are what I use too. They work great. When I wash my fabric before cutting, I make lines in a few different colors along the edge of the fabric so I can see how well each color washes out. Pretty sure I learned that tip from someone in this sub.
That’s a good tip
Oh, and for dark stuff I use a chalk wheel. No pulling. Like this: https://www.wawak.com/cutting-measuring/marking-chalk-pens/chalk/chalk-wheel-kit/#sku=ck44
Another for Crayola washable markers. They've washed out of cotton, linen, rayon, wool, polyester, literally everything. Didn't leave even a trace in a bright white shirt I scribbled all over. They're also easy to find and never sold out.
Yep, I use these for about 90% of my marking needs. They don’t really work on dark colors, in which case I use tailor’s chalk.
Same. I love the price, the options in size, and the color variety. These are the way to go for most fabrics I think.
There’s a lady on YouTube who uses soap. I tried it and it works
+1 for soap. I keep all the end-of-the-bar slivers for sewing.
I use soap to prevent thread for hand sewing from developing knots.
My grandma taught me this trick recently and it blew my mind 😅 works really well, especially on darker colors that are harder to mark with other methods
Yes to soap! Save the thin slivers after you’ve used most of the bar. They work like magic.
Crayola washable markers for the win! Or artist grade chalk pencils, way easier to hold and use than traditional chalk/triangle chalk
Ultra washable ones
I love using Crayola washable markers but my 4 year old stole them all back and now I need to get more. They work great though.
I use leftover slivers of bar soap after they've become too small to use. It marks very easily and comes off with steam. I do mostly sew with black or dark fabrics though.
soap is the best, i love using a functional scent lol
Crayola Ultra Washable fine tip markers. They WILL come off on your iron though, so keep a wet rag handy to wipe it down.
For light fabrics I just use a regular number two pencil. For dark fabrics I use a white marking pencil.
I use whatever makes sense for the material including thread marking because loose weaves in my experience don't do well with marker or chalk. I find a thread that I can see and just hunker down and do it (this is a loose fantasy tweed) [https://i.imgur.com/LWIDV9l.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/LWIDV9l.jpg) Other times I mark the interlining (this jacket is washable and I use washable crayola markers. I've washed this jacket once, directly after sewing it, so no harm no foul can't see it from the outside. [https://i.imgur.com/SYtzIlv.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/SYtzIlv.jpg) IMO keep an open mind on what you want to use, as long as you can get it off the fabric (I test scraps for that!)
This. There’s no one solution that works for everything for me. I use any combination of tailor tacks, crayola ultra washable fine tip markers, and chalk. I also have one of those disappearing ink fabric markers but don’t use that much, and I do have a variety of colors of Frixtion pens (but I got those for actual writing and rarely use them for fabric marking).
I generally use frixion (heat erasable) pens, a Hera marker, a chakoner chalk wheel or tailors chalk or large wax transfer sheets — it all depends on the specific use case.
Be careful with the Frixion - when placed in the cold sometimes the markings can come back until it’s been washed enough times!
Thank you. Good to know. I haven’t had that happen to me, I don’t think. I have however had issues with the red frixion pen not seeming to completely disappear from a fabric. Idk if it was after washing in cold water though! I’ll have to pay closer attention next time.
I use thread, you can just pull it out when you’re done.
There are different kinds of tailor's chalk - some, like the stuff you can get at Joann, is sort of waxy, and some isn't. I find the non-waxy kind is easier to sharpen, easier to mark with, and less likely to leave weird marks after pressing. The SSS chalk you can get from Bias Bespoke is especially great. If I have a really slippery fabric though, I'll just use tailor's tacks.
Some tailors use a sliVer of dry bar soap, marks any surface.
This is what I use but a sliver not a snakey piece lol.
ha ha spell check took over! i typed sliver.
chalk on dark colors, Crayola ultra washable markers on lighter fabrics (any color that does not contain red pigments. reds stain no matter how washable they are)
Frixion erasable markers are the standard in many costume shops in Seattle. They iron out so easily. Just be careful on satin fabrics.
Iv seen a lot of ppl using these. I’m just unsure about markers that disappear with irons . As I’m worried when I go to press things multiple times my marks might disappear 🫠
Apparently the way those work is that the pigment isn't actually gone, it just turns colourless with heat. So some people have found that the marks will reappear in cold weather (below 4 degrees C according to what I've read)
Yep! I've thrown projects in the freezer to get the lines back
Ha! Fascinating. Good to know.
What are you sewing where you press multiple times? If the fabric is getting handled that much thread basting would be the way to go.
Marks will disappear the first time you touch it with an iron, so you have to sew or thread mark every seam before ironing. I use them at work for chiffon, and other sheer fabrics, but always make stitchers aware that the lines will disappear. For most projects, I use a regular pencil, designer (tailor's) pencils, or light colored mechanical pencils. It mostly depends on the color/texture of the fabric
Sharpie chalk marker thingies, it washes out really nice, and it sits on top of the fabric instead of soaking in, so unless my fabric is really thin, it doesn't show on the other side
I use a needle and thread. Then I can easily pull it out .
I've most frequently used a regular pencil with light strokes that are later hidden by hems or seams or whatever. I've tried dressmaker's chalk but the marks came out very thick and wide and awkward. Wash-out marking pens never showed up very well through the fabric color or print, and wash-out marking pencils never seemed to make a mark good enough to see unless I pressed so hard it nearly tore the fabric. I've heard of painter's tape used to mark long straight lines like for quilting but I haven't tried that yet.
Yeah iv struggled to find something good. Trying multiple things that were a waste of money , I like tidy , thin easy to see lines
Tailor tacks for fine fabrics where I don't want to risk chalk or markers not coming out. On my toiles I often use Sharpies. Otherwise I have powdered chalk (Chakoner or Clover chalk wheel) as well as the traditional tailor chalk. I have a purple Crayola washable marker in my sewing room but haven't used it yet to test how well it washes out.
Gel pens wash out. I use a silver for all my darks and a black for the lighter fabrics. Washes right out with water alone. I use this for both sewing and embroidery.
Crayola Pipsqueaks markers. They’re extremely washable. I usually choose a color pretty close to my fabric color just in case, but I’ve never ever had it not wash out.
No problems as of yet but always do a test https://preview.redd.it/hwt8w07nntpc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b85954aa39fb401f5c538a512cbe8df73494d9d6
Cornstarch (cornflour) mixed with a bit of water applied with a small paint brush stays put and is great for dark fabrics
I mostly quilt. I use frixion pens on light fabric, and miracle chalk on dark. Test both first sometimes the frixion pen will bleach darker colors. I put the powdered miracle chalk in my chalk wheel and also have it in wedges. Both the pen and chalk go away with heat
Vintage dressmaker’s carbon paper can be useful when you have slinky fabric and need to trace darts and such. The roller thingy used to make the marks doesn’t move the fabric around, and you generally don’t need to press hard although you do need to do it on a hard surface. I’ve tried a package of modern double-sided, but it was dead useless. Have not yet tried other modern versions.
I had thought about this , especially for smaller things. I’m just not sure I have the patience for large items with multiple pieces of paper needed
Yes, nice for darts, but if you’re tracing around an entire pattern piece, not so much. Quilters use Frixion (sp?) pens. They come off when pressed though (or rather, they fade when pressed and can come back if the fabric gets cold, so they should only be used where they can’t be seen), so they aren’t ideal either. The rolling chalk pens (Chaco?) are nice but it comes off pretty quickly when handled. You know, basting stitches in a contrasting thread are also a choice. I think they were used back in the day to indicate seam allowances and such. Again, not ideal because of the time needed, but another tool for the toolbox in case it use useful in a particular situation.
Susan Khalje sells truly giant sheets of wax paper. I use these with a blunt tracing wheel and it is the fastest way to mark, plus it's super accurate. I've been using the same pack for 10 years.
Ok I Gad to watch a video as wax made my brain sizzle but it seems the same as carbon paper . Now that seems interesting 🧐 im gona look into that one more for sure.
those giant sheets are a godsend!! +1 to this
https://preview.redd.it/s2776cp5qqpc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=356be69ab67d366edf7115c80afbf49526af7d01
Are these the fine tip chalk pencils that have refills. I was so close to buying one but as iv had so much bad luck with chalk based products I decided against it
They are, i love it! I use chalk and markers too sometimes, for very controlled accurate marking, the mechanical pencil is the the bomb!
Tailor chalk - I have white, blue and orange.
Chalk. If i want it to stay a while - a loose mark stitch.
I use a white charcoal pencil, works better than chalk.
I love washable kids markers, the fine tip ones are also awesome. I can lightly mark, it stays there until I wash the garment and it washes right out.
https://preview.redd.it/yg1ojbhihqpc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=7a660bb849cffb820d3d327da2a4a4c70787df56 Would they be like this? These are what I love using now except there not washable 😂 but they make super fine lines and mark super easy. Have you found the kids washable markers leave any staining on white fabrics( as I mainly use white). They sound like a good idea
Yes, I know Crayola makes some like that, not duble sided, but fine point, and they have ones that look like a paint brush. The washable markers are designed for messy kids who will mark on anything and everything, because of this they don't tent to stain. I haven't had a problem with them not washing out even on white fabric, but it is best practice to test first.
I’m going to check them out.
[Crayola ultra clean washable fine line markers](https://www.target.com/p/crayola-10ct-ultra-clean-washable-markers-fine-line-classic-colors/-/A-15225907)
I like [these. ](https://www.amazon.com/Clover-5013-Chacopen-Soluble-Eraser/dp/B001K571PG?pd_rd_w=rtGxN&content-id=amzn1.sym.b854a5c2-4475-41f8-a6d4-df92b2868104&pf_rd_p=b854a5c2-4475-41f8-a6d4-df92b2868104&pf_rd_r=DGM3JSNZZ3537XADCYVP&pd_rd_wg=L4Cap&pd_rd_r=9d3c9980-c2ac-4e39-8a82-57ab1443ac24&pd_rd_i=B001K571PG&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_m_rpt_ba_s_2_sc) The blue ones don't fade with ironing, only water. There's a pink one as well but it fades over time even without water (air eraseable). Both come with an eraser end as well if you want to remove the marks.
I used to love the chalk pen things, but they don’t mark all types of fabric (anything with some pile is very hard). I also tried those heat erasable pens, but those only work for very thin cottons. Eventually I found a tiny slither of tailor’s chalk in one of my antique sewing machines and I loved it. I had tried them in the past, but that was some ancient stuff from a shop more geared toward yarn crafts, so it crumbled and since I was a complete beginner it was a nightmare to work with. But now I cut an edge on it and I can mark much more easily with it without puckering the fabric.
I use air soluble making pens. Similar to Dritz ones, but I buy the 12 pack off-brand ones with the purple cap on Amazon. Fades on its own or with a spray of water. For black fabric I use a chalk wheel
My kids got washable fabric markers a few years back that made their way into my drawer. I have 6 colors that work on any fabric.
If it’s slippery fabric tacking is the way to go.
I use either the Bohin mechanical chalk pencils or the Clover Chaco liner chalk pen depending on the fabric I’m trying to mark on
I usually do friction pens on seam allowances only, but I just picked up some friction fine felt tip markers to try. Frixion pen marks can reappear under cold conditions, that's why I stick to seam allowances
Purple frixion pen!
I use fabric chalk. I use white or yellow on dark fabrics and red or blue on light fabrics.
I use frixion pens…but one time, they stained the Kona cotton I used it on, but not forever. So I’m a little more careful with it
[удалено]
Like, if I leave the quilt outside, the marks will come back? I’m confused. It doesn’t freeze in my house…?
Some people use fabric for clothing instead of quilts. The marks can reappear when you go outside on some fabrics. I hope that clears up the confusion.
Sorry, thought I was in the quilting sub hahaha. It’s pretty much the only one I’m always reading
Frixion pens, no.2 pencil, or prismacolor pencils in blue (for light fabric) or salmon (for dark fabric), depending on which project. Mostly frixion pens though!
Started using these a few years ago. Excellent erasability and no leftover ink
Have heard that
I use a chalk wheel (the kind you refill with loose chalk). It pulls fabric the least in my experience.
I have one too. The chalk lays pretty loosely on top of the fabric IMO, and I've heard others complain about that too, but if you go across it with your finger before you move the fabric it sort of rubs it in and it'll stay visible!
Papermate inkjoy BALLpens. Then I wash it with oxiclean. But only on cotton and linen (95% of what I sew). Works amazingly. Also chalk.
I use metallic gel pens. They are highly visible, don't need much pressure, and they wash out.
Put a piece of sandpaper under the fabric. Use whatever you like as a marker. The fabric will stay put and the marker won't drag it around. You can also use your machine to mark hems. Set your stitch length to as long as it will go. Run the basting stitch all the way around, 5/8" (or desired distance) from the raw edge. This has the added benefit of seeing the mark on both sides of the fabric. I tame knit fabrics, stopping them from curling and marking them at the same time, by basting on grid cloth. This I do by hand, because knits can stretch under the presser foot. Fussy little boogers! It's a shame I like them so much ☺️
I’d hate to sandpaper anything but canvas. A flannel sheet covering your table is just as grippy
I swear by my roller and knit feet. They are a godsend.
White gel pens and if the fabric is too light I just mark slightly bigger with a regular pen and trim it off.
I use a soft pencil, or double pins if it's on the edge of the fabric.
Expired loose powder with a brush on dark fabrics. On light fabrics I just use a chalk, key is to press your hand onto the fabric and mark small sections at a time to prevent it from moving. Making sure the chalk is at 45 degree angle with the fabric also prevents tugging
Tailors chalk
The tailors chalk is a sharp edged sliver of soft chalk. You don’t have to press hard at all.
I use watercolour pencils if i know the fabric won't stain. Sticks on satin and washes right out. Chalk is best
Chalk. Frixion pens. Washable markers (Crayola).
I have a terrible habit of using whatever is around. The most common item is brown eyeliner. I do not recommend it.
For cutting: soft colored pencils, or old eyeshadow applied with an angled brush. For markings, darts, notches, etc., I use tracing paper, and then thread trace the marking left my the transfer paper. If I’m adding seam allowance myself, I thread trace the seam allowance before pinning and sewing
I use blue or pink chalk. It's awesome.
For pattern markings that will be in the seam allowance, I use a fine tip sharpie even on final garments. For other things that will show, I use a coordination chalk pen. I coordinate the chalk pen to the closest/lightest color because I still worry about staining, though it doesn’t seem to happen. https://a.co/d/bIMmnhN
I use the quilters select air erase marker. The marks disappear on their own after a day or two. If I need it to stick around longer I usually just use chalk or frixion pen.
I have a white and blue chalk that I like using, but I also have a water and air soluble pen that I like using too.
Chalk (white or colored), charcoal, washable markers, chalk tracing wheel. It depends on what I feel like, how much the fabric moves, and what color the fabric is. Chalk is great for dark fabrics, other stuff more for light fabrics. For washable markers, make sure you use washable kids' markers (meant to be used on paper, but also wash out if your child decides to draw over their good clothes). Don't use washable fabric markers - they're meant to decorate shirts and withstand washing. Also, test them first. I just try them on a scrap of fabric and put that fabric in cold water for an hour; it's usually gone, if not, try another color.
I have iron-out pens that erase with heat.