7 Best Fabric Markers For Sewing: A Comprehensive Guide to Fabric Marking Tools
If you were to walk into your local craft supply store and go to the notions section, you would see a plethora of fabric markers for sewing to choose from. But which ones work the best? Does it matter which marker you use for different kinds of fabric? Does the ink really leave the fabric?
In this post, we will discuss these questions and discuss the various and sundry marking tools and their uses.
What Can I Use to Mark Fabric for Sewing?
One of the most surprisingly undervalued tools that you can have in your sewing tool kit is some sort of marking tool for fabric.
When I started sewing several years ago, I had no idea how vital my marking tools would be, but here I am today, writing an entire blog post about them. That’s how important they are to be successful in your sewing projects.
So what can you use to mark fabric? There are many different types of marking tools available, but the main categories are these:
- Ink– pens, markers, stamps
- Chalk– chalk pencils, tailor’s block, loose chalk
- Creasers– hera marker, tailor’s creaser
We will discuss each marker in more detail in a little bit.
Sewists in different areas will swear by one particular marking tool, but I encourage everyone to try the various markers and pick which one they like the best.
For example, if you are making clothing, other seamstresses will tell you you should use tailor’s chalk. But what if you try and then prefer using a water-soluble ink pen? That’s totally fine!
Choose what tools you like best, and you’ll do great. There’s nothing worse than trying to use a tool you aren’t comfortable using.
Surprisingly, I’ve even heard of people using a butterknife to make marks or creases in the fabric. Hey, if that works for you, I say go for it!
Can I Use a Regular Pencil to Mark Fabric?
What if you don’t have any sewing marking tools at home? You might be tempted to reach for your regular #2 pencil or ballpoint pen, but is it okay to use these everyday writing utensils on fabric?
The short answer is yes…and no. It’s really going to depend on the fabric you are using and the reason for the marking.
For instance, if you are piecing quilt blocks together and need to make a line down the center of a square to know where to stitch, you can use a ballpoint pen or pencil. Pencil lead might be hard to see on some quilting cotton, though.
Another example, I wouldn’t use a pencil on silk or any fabric that could easily get snagged. However, a ballpoint pen would work in a pinch; just know it’s tough to get ink out of most materials (especially silk.)
As a rule, I would recommend only using a regular pen or pencil on the fabric where you know the mark won’t be visible on the finished item.
So, technically, you CAN use a regular pencil or pen on fabric, but there are better options out there, and they’re not expensive or hard to find in most cases.
7 Top Fabric Markers For Sewing
Now that we know a little more about marking tools for fabric, let’s look at the different types of markers on the market. You can use all these tools and markers for any kind of sewing, whether you are making ball gowns or heirloom quilts. They are universal sewing gadgets.
This type of marker fits in the “chalk” category. Usually shaped like a rounded triangle, tailor’s chalk is traditionally used to mark the garment fabric. However, anyone working with fabric can use them to make a quick mark on their project.
These pieces of chalk usually come in multipacks and are a super cheap option for those of us who are on a budget. The fabric chalk washes off with water, leaves no residue, and won’t reappear in hot or cold weather.
This is another type of chalk popular for many kinds of sewing. The chalk marker looks a lot like the chalk holder that my 2nd-grade teacher always had, so I am fond of this type of chalk usage.
These are great since you won’t get chalk on your fingers and can trace any shape with precision. Like the image above, you can trace out intricate designs for embroidery or quilting. The chalk sticks that fit into the marker also last a long time, making this a cost-effective option.
The pens I have linked to #3 are some of the best heat erasable ink pens available on Amazon; however, they still might not work perfectly in every situation. I HIGHLY recommend testing the ink on a scrap or edge of the fabric you are working with before you mark up your material.
For most applications, this type of disappearing ink will work great, but be aware that sometimes, the ink might “reappear” when exposed to extreme cold.
Another possible downside to using this type of ink is that it gets used quickly, meaning you’ll need to purchase refills.
The Dritz marking pen is my absolute favorite marking pen for sewing. One end has disappearing ink that vanishes after about an hour, and the other has water-soluble ink.
I’ve used this pen for several years; while trying other pens, I always come back to this one because it’s affordable, long-lasting, and consistent.
I’ve never had a problem with the ink reappearing, and I’ve used it to mark quilting designs on white fabric many times.
Fabric pencils come in two forms: regular sharpened or mechanical. Both work great on dark fabrics since the lead is bright white.
Like a chalk pencil, a fabric pencil has ceramic lead that is easily washed away with water. You can use the lead on wood, paper, and chalkboard.
I’ve tried using fabric pencils in the past and haven’t had great success with them. If you know of a fabric pencil that works wonders, please let me know in the comments below!
A tracing wheel is a fabulous option if you want to avoid possible ink issues and chalk dust. The wheel works like a rotary cutter, but instead of cutting the fabric, the little teeth of the wheel make a subtle mark.
These are commonly used by sewists who trace pattern pieces from delicate material. You can find these at most craft or hobby stores.
Tracing wheels also work fantastic for placing stitch marks onto the leather. Be careful not to use this kind of tracing wheel on silk or other delicate fabric.
Next to the Dritz marking pen, the Clover hera marker is my most used marking tool, and here is why: it’s ridiculously amazing!! But seriously, it makes the perfect dent in a quilt sandwich if you need to mark a quilt for quilting.
You can see the crease through to the back of the fabric, which is excellent if you need clean, crisp creases for pleats. What is the best part about a hera marker, you ask?
Well, there are no refills that need to be purchased, and you don’t have to worry about whether the ink is going to wash out entirely or not.
I hope you enjoyed this discussion as much as I did. I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to sewing tools, and I love to try new ones to see what’s out there. How about you? Do you have a favorite fabric marker for sewing? Let me know in the comments below!
One Comment