Fabric Marking Pens: Which ones are right for you?

The Right Marking Tool for Every Sewing & Quilting Project

There are so many fabric marking tools out there that choosing one can feel overwhelming. We've tested every tool in our shop so you don't have to guess, and we'll say it right up front (and probably three more times): TEST, TEST, TEST on a scrap before you commit. Test over time and with heat, too. We've heard plenty of horror stories about "phantom" marks reappearing long after a project was finished, and many manufacturers don't tell you how to remove their marks for good.

Here at Sewing by Sarah, we believe better beautiful than perfect. We're not perfectionists, so ease of use weighs heavily in our recommendations. Here's our collection and what each tool does best.

Quick Pick Guide

• Marking a quilt top or the right side of fabric? Roxanne Silver Chalk Pencils or the Hera Marker (no ink at all!)
• Piecing, appliqué, or seam lines you'll press anyway? Heat Erasable Fabric Marking Pens
• Dark fabrics? Ultimate Marking Pencil (White) or White Panda Tailor's Chalk
• Garments, denim, or leather? White Panda Tailor's Chalk
• Perfect ¼" seam lines around templates or EPP? ¼" Marking Discs

Heat Erasable Fabric Marking Pens (Set of 8)

Mark it, then make it vanish with the heat of your iron. This set gives you two each of white, black, blue, and red, so you'll always have the right contrast for light or dark fabric, plus two refills per color so you never run dry mid-project.

Great for: appliqué, half-square and quarter-square triangles, seam lines, embroidery designs, placement marks, and anything you're comfortable adding a little heat to.

The secret no one tells you: Ironing makes the ink invisible, but it doesn't remove it. In very cold temperatures (below about 15°F), marks can reappear if the fabric hasn't been washed. To make sure they're gone for good, wash with a mild detergent and water or run it through your washing machine.

Shop Heat Erasable Pens →

White Panda Tailor's Chalk

Crisp, fine chalk lines that press away with your iron. It comes as a starter kit with a refillable applicator and 20 refills, and additional refills are available. The wax coating gives sharp lines on denim, leather, and apparel fabrics.

Great for: cutting and sewing lines on garments, pattern making, and marking quilting templates for cutting or appliqué.

The secret no one tells you: That wax coating is what makes the lines so clean, but it's also why we're careful using it on the front of a quilt. On quilting cotton, test first to make sure it comes out completely. On the interior of garments and projects, it's fantastic.

Shop White Panda Tailor's Chalk →

Ultimate Marking Pencil, White (Iron Off)

Our go-to for dark fabrics. It stays put without smudging, then irons off (or washes out). The whole pencil is marker, so there's nothing to dry out and no refills to buy. Just sharpen it with a crayon or makeup sharpener.

Great for: marking on dark fabrics, buttonholes, darts, and garment construction.

The secret no one tells you: This pencil can leave a faint shadow on some batiks and cotton/poly blends. There are too many fabrics out there for us to test them all, so give yours a quick test to make sure it irons off clean.

Shop the Ultimate Marking Pencil →

Roxanne Chalk Marking Pencils, Silver

These pencils are made of chalk with no waxes or dyes. The silver shows up on both light and dark fabrics, leaves fine, visible lines, and sharpens easily (even in an electric sharpener). Each pack has four pencils.

Great for: marking quilting designs, appliqué placement, template cutting, and construction markings.

The secrets no one tells you:

• "Water soluble" doesn't always mean "rinses out with water." In our own testing, a spritz or dab of water didn't always do it. Plan on a real wash with mild detergent, and on some fabrics you may need a second wash.
• Sizing matters. The finish on new fabric can keep chalk from releasing. If you're marking the front of a quilt, prewash your fabric or test on a scrap of the exact fabric first, and run that scrap through the wash.
• Silver on light fabric is the trickiest. It can leave a faint gray shadow on white and pale fabrics. For light fabrics, mark lightly and test first.
• Don't scrub or spot-treat. Rubbing a damp towel over the marks can spread the chalk instead of lifting it. Wash the whole piece.
• Keep heat away until the marks are gone. Don't iron over them, and don't leave your project in a hot car.

Shop Roxanne Silver Chalk Pencils →

Creaser/Hera Marker and Finger Presser Set

Worried about marks not coming out? Skip them entirely. The Hera marker is a hard plastic tool with a rounded edge that creates a delicate crease on woven fabrics, including quilting cotton, with no ink, chalk, or pencil. Run it along a ruler for straight lines or use it freehand for curves. The finger presser in the set lets you press seams open or to the side without heat, and it's wonderful for English paper piecing.

Great for: marking quilt tops, foundation piecing, needle-turn appliqué, EPP, and miniature quilts.

The secret no one tells you: Crease lines are subtle and relax over time, so mark just the section you're about to quilt.

Shop the Hera Marker Set →

¼" Marking Discs

This clever little tool takes the guesswork out of seam allowances. Pop any standard ballpoint pen or pencil into the center hole of the metal disc, then roll the edge along your template or ruler. You get a perfect line exactly ¼" away. The set includes two discs.

Great for: English paper piecing, adding seam allowances to templates, and marking free-motion quilting lines alongside a ruler.

The secret no one tells you: The disc works with whichever marking tool you pop in, so pair it with the right pen or pencil for your fabric from the list above.

Shop ¼" Marking Discs →

Tips for Using Any Marking Tool

• TEST! We can't say it enough. Do a quick test on every fabric you plan to mark to make sure the marks come out completely. It takes 10 seconds and can save you a world of regret.
• Wash marks out for good. Whether marks disappear with heat, water, or time, the only way to know they're really gone is to launder them out with mild detergent and water.
• Read the instructions. If a tool doesn't come with any, do a little research, and when in doubt, test.
• Don't press too hard. Too much pressure can damage fabric. If your line isn't showing up, switch to a higher-contrast color or sharpen or replace your tool.
• Right tool, right project. Chalk and wax are wonderful for interiors and garment construction. For the front of a finished quilt, reach for water-soluble chalk or a Hera marker.

Find your favorite in our Marking Tools collection and see which one gives you the results you need!

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