This is a little off-topic, but I've recently used MARKING PENCIL REMOVAL spray

http://www.quiltersrule.com/marking/mpr.html

and was really pleased with it.

I had used a graphite pencil to mark the text on my GRAM SAYS quilt and (of course) it did not come out in the wash. I sprayed the marks with this liquid, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then blotted the marks with a damp wash cloth and every bit of it came out!!

After looking at the Bohin and the Fons & Porter mechanical pen chalk markers, I think they are exactly the same thing in different packaging. The pens are even the same color! I heard yesterday that some of the colored chalks are difficult to get out of fabric, so I'll probably stay with the white.

I tried one of those Fonz and Porter mechanical chalk pencils at a recent retreat and am SOLD! It makes such a nice fine line and seems to brush off when I want it to. Just wish I'd found it sooner. I ended up quilting on the brown fabric using tape and it wasn't as convenient.

Windy today in Western NY!

I've recently gotten one of the Bohin chalk markers and really do like how it shows up on fabric. I plan to do some testing to see how it washes out.

I can't remember how long it took me to hand quilt the one border--thank goodness I didn't use the Crayola marker anywhere else on the quilt. Pre-testing wouldn't be of any use unless you left the marks on the fabric for a month or longer and then tried to remove them. I think the washable markers are meant for children's clothing that will be washed in a few days. I would also be concerned about the markers because they seem to become permanent as they sit. Hopefully, they won't resurface after several years.

If you were hand quilting, how long were the marks in the fabric? I don't know for sure, but maybe the fact that I do machine quilting, and the marks are usually washed out in a few days would make a difference? And, like everything else in quilting, it pays to pre-test the marker on the fabric. Glad to know that Oxy-Clean will get out stubborn marks!

Also, since I usually have starched my fabrics, that probably helps the marks to come out, and that is something that hand quilters won't be doing!

I had a near DISASTER with the Crayola Washable Markers on a Toile fabric I was hand quilting!!! :shock: I'm always careful with any marker not to get it near heat, etc. I just about died when I soaked it and it wasn't coming all the way out! I finally had to resort to using Oxy-Clean in the water and that finally brought the blue marks out.

Been using them for years. Love 'em.

Me, too, Louise! I've used them for years, and with my eyes getting worse all the time, I really like the thicker line because it's easier for me to see! I always wash my quilts as soon as I get the binding on, and am careful not to hit the marks with a hot iron or use hot water for the first rinse.
I fill the washer with cool water and soak the quilt for about an hour then spin the water out and refill with fresh water and run the quilt through a gentle cycle with warm water and mild detergent. I like Orvus Paste that I get at the farmer's co-op. It was developed to wash animals (think 4-H and county fairs) and rinses out easily. It's really concentrated, so it only takes a little in the washer.

Love the Crayola WASHABLE markers!

Don't faint when you read this. I've been using the Crayola Washable markers that kids use in school. You can buy them for under $2 just about anywhere in a package with a rainbow of colors. I do a lot of scrap quilts, so I often run into problems finding the right product to do the markings.

Of course, you must be planning to wash the finished quilt to remove the markings. The first time I used the washable markers, I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time. I had orange markings all over the quilt and just prayed that they would come out. They did. I've been using this system for over a year, and all the markings come out everytime...even navy blue and black! I usually soak the quilt for at least a couple of hours, just to be sure.

The only drawback I have using this product is that the lines are not very thin. So, it depends just how fine you need the lines to be.

I've been using the white pen from Clover for almost all my marking lately. It's wonderful. Make your mark, then blow gently on it to make it come to life quickly (it reacts to something in the air). A warm iron, hair dryer, or just a little water makes it disappear.

I used a white Prismacolor pencil on my BOM. By the time I finished appliqueing the block, the Prismacolor was almost all gone. It showed up fine on all the different colored fabrics. It worked great! I found mine at Hobby Lobby in the art section and it comes in all colors. BTW, this hint came from Suzanne Marshall during her applique class in Houston. Suzanne marks all her applique and hand quilting this way!

Be sure to test those colored chalk pencils for removal before marking on your top. . .I had some yellow once that I couldn't get out. . .!!! Terry

I vote for the Bohin...love this product.

FW