2.12.2013

toolin' around tuesdays: mark it up

i almost flaked on my first toolin around tuesday giveaway!  mais non.  it is not possible.  i love y'all so much, as soon as i got home today, i cranked up the levels on my canon and poured a glass of wine.

if we're talking marking tools, i am a slut.  THERE.  i said tool and slut in the same post.  let's see my traffic NOW.





(seriously?  adult cream?  how disappointed do you think they were to find a post about sharpened shears?  hrm. maybe not that disappointed.  i am, however, liking "how to keep a southern boy happy."  i likes it very much.)




oh so many choices.  the sixth pen in isn't even meant for fabric; i think it is in fact a white-out pen.  je ne sais quoi, the label is japanese.  the stubby yellow chunk of chalk next to it is portugese.  it's the united nations up in here, baby.  

at the far end of the line, please spy the disgraced red barrel.  peeps, i know you loved the chalk pop up pen of many colors.  i don't blame you.  i loved it too.  it's bright and happy and screamed I WILL MAKE YOUR WORLD RIGHT.  but it lied.  it breaks into little pieces like the sham of a tool it is, leaving you with fragments of candy colored chalk everywhere, a curse upon your breath and technicolor swaths of dust on your cat's feet. 




but this little baby, introduced into my marking obsession by kenneth king, this chunky thing DELIVERS.  he whipped one out-- well, the cousin to this baby, his looked different-- at a class he recently taught at mood.  i whispered to classmate clio: i have to have that.




devra wanted it too.  it made the most delicious snickety clickety sound with each efficient swipe across fabric. can you see the teeny spikes on the tip?  the picture is a bit blurry, as stated, today was crazyface and nighttime is meant for cocktails, not pictures. 

but those teeny spikes make the sharpest sweetest mark, y'all.  although we were supposed to be focusing on the leather, i found it hard not to fixate on the swift, deft lines kenneth produced with that NEW TOOL MUST HAVE NEW TOOL




on a recent trip to SIL for serger thread, i combed the aisles and found my treasure.  just look at the precision compared to a regular chalk pencil!  IT IS ABSURD!  yes, yes, i know, you can get a nice thin line from a chalk pencil.  if you sharpen it every thirty friggin seconds, hoping during the ten seconds of sharpening the tip doesn't break off in the sharpener, causing you to resharpen ALL OVER AGAIN.  that's like eighty seven thousand seconds of sharpening per dart, yo. with this bad boy, roll away to your heart's content, then refill the chalk dust cartridge.  

i picked up a pretty pink one for you, too!  you want?  just leave a comment telling me about your favorite method of marking fabric (the one that will assuredly be usurped by this chunky clover) and you're in!  expect your prize package to come with a pattern picked out just for you.  and probably some candy.  maybe a mix tape. if you can't get your mind off the carnival colored deceiver of a chalk pen, i'll prolly throw that in too.

the winner will be announced next tuesday, and a whole new giveaway announced that day as well. 

my glass of cotes du rhone, she is empty!  i am off for refills!

update tuesday 02/19: giveaway is now closed, the winner will be announced later today, along with a brand new tool for you to win!

141 comments:

  1. I like the red barrel chalk -- it doesn't break so much on me, but it doesn't do fleece well.

    Above all else, I like 2 pieces of tailor's chalk I have, one I inherited from my mom's sewing collection. The other I got, quite randomly, when I got a big box of patterns off freecycle. Both are white rectangles (though both have pieces missing from corners) and will mark even on fleece. They give nice clear, sharp lines because the rectangle is rather flat (not all that deep). I have a blue piece, also, but it doesn't do as well. Might be even older.

    I love the idea of using bits of thread to mark places. I'm seeing it in the sewing book I'm slowly reading through. Seems like more work in the beginning but easier to read in the end when its actually needed.

    All said, I'd love a new toy to play with!

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  2. That tool might turn me into a fastidious marker. I'm too haphazard to have a favorite marking tool.

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  3. WANT! This is one of those giveaways - the kind where when I don't win, I immediately go online and buy it for myself anyway. Oh yes.

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  4. Oooh! This looks awesome! My favorite marking tool is a fine point sharpie for muslins. Alas, that doesn't work so well for making real garments so mostly I just use rectangles of tailor's chalk. I like the blue one because it's prettier than white.

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  5. Oooh... I have a Chakoner, which is the same sorta thing. Love! But you know what? It ain't pink. In fact, if this pink chalk pen got together with the heart shaped Chakoner, I only imagine what would happen. Would there be little pink, baby conversation hearts? (Those are made out of chalk, right?)

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  6. I've given up on chalk pencils completely- they frustrate me so! I usually just rely on snips for marking notches and tailor's tacks for marking dart points/dots.

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  7. That Clover marker is my absolute-favorite-go-to-first-every-time marking tool. I have it in yellow. And guess what? It's REFILLABLE too! But I've been using mine for a year now (at least) and it still has plenty of chalk in it :).

    A caveat - they also come in blue, and I've heard that the blue color can stain some fabrics. Like, permanently :( So beware the blue....

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    1. concur with jilly....blue can be dangerous. UNLESS you have kenneth's other bit of brilliancy, the stencil brush, for STOMPING OUT CHALK.

      seriously, he drew on his sleeve and then erased it, just because he liked the noise it made.

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  8. that bad larry looks awesome! On dark fabric I currently use white tailors chalk and on light fabric, I use a water soluble marker. if I use anything. most of the time, I just cut and go. sometimes, I just use a regular old pen!

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  9. I still use ye ole tracing wheel and paper but occasionally I use chalk to feel more tailor-like!

    Noriecreates.wordpress.com

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  10. I've got the Clover marker too, and I LOOOVE it! I could only find it locally in white, but saw the other colours online. I want a pink one. And yellow. I wanted a blue until I read Jilly Be's comment about it staining. But these markers are the BEST I've used, and it marks everything I've tried. So easy. So quick.

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  11. I use sidewalk chalk. I am sad and backwards. Save me!

    corvus.melloriATgmailDOTcom

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  12. ooh, I've never seen one of those! I am currently using tailor's chalk, you know the kind mixed with wax, so the marks stay until you iron them. I love it, but the thickness of the lines annoys me sometimes. What a great giveaway!
    hhansen41 at hotmail dot com
    Heather

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  13. I'm old school, I use tailor's tacks for marking. Chalk has previously let me down But I want to believe...

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  14. My favourite at the moment is a Clover disappearing ink fabric marker, but it is capricious, and disappears much more quickly on same fabrics than others. It would be nice to have something more reliable!

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  15. I've wanted one of those forever! I am pretty exclusive with my purple disappearing ink marker, but I also use a red chalk wheel sometimes.

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  16. depends really - on muslins I'm all about sharpie. For everything else, I've been using the little clickly chalk beast of doom you hate (it is a pain) over waxy tracking paper that doesn't trace properly. (You have inspired me to get my act together....)

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  17. Marking is my least favorite sewing task but maybe the Clover would change my mind? Like Elizabeth, I use a purple disappearing ink pen. I also use tracing paper which I'm not too keen on.

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  18. I still use tracing paper and a wheel - a lot! I'm still liking the lying red barrel marker - but you're right, the chalk breaks a lot! I hope you got a cocktail already. g

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  19. I'm with Carolyn-- I tend to rely on scissors and thread markings. I guess I'm always afraid of leaving marks on my finished project!

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  20. I love a good fast fade marker. And.... as long as you don't tell anyone.....occasionally......I use pen! *gasp*

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  21. I use school chalk. And it's about 1/4 inch long by now. Need to find that cool tool. I don't even know where to find school chalk anymore, either.

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  22. I don't have a favorite way to mark my fabric yet. I'm hoping to be enabled.

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  23. Lol, I had no idea they even made a tool like that! I want to use it. I want to just make doodles on ugly upholstery fabric it. I want to take it to a pair of curtains and make chevrons. Now, onto my awful marking tools.... I use my kids colored sidewalk chalk. It's awful, but there is some always lying around. Or sometimes I use a Ticonderoga pencil for kindergarten kids. Ya know the kind, the big fat ones that smell like sweaty toddlers. I need a tool intervention. And who doesn't love getting treaties in the mail!

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  24. That actually sounds pretty handy, right now I've been using washable sidewalk chalk, which works surprisingly well for fabric.

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  25. I use either tailors chalk, or a lead pencil. The chalk is easier to use, but rubs off a bit too easily sometimes. I also have something similar to the clover pen, but cheaper, and it doesn't work. I want the clover ones, but $25 for a chalk pen? Not happening. Curse Australia and it's ridiculous over priced-ness.

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  26. I actually use tailors tacks a ridiculous amount. Also, snipping the match points in the seam allowance. Never found a marker I liked... but I could become a convert ;-)

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  27. I change my marking tool pretty much every time I sew because I can't find one I like! My most recent tool has been some blue chalk, but this tool looks much, much more useful.

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  28. melanie (hippolicious@hotmail.com)February 13, 2013 at 1:21 AM

    I use faber castell connector pen (like the pic in the link)
    http://www.cziplee.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/1980141_0_9999_lge_v1_m56577569843462730-400x400.jpeg

    They come in many color, not that expensive AND they dissapear after I wash the fabric.
    So pretty compare to the chalky stuff sewist use, I have the clover chacopel(sp?) It doesn't even dispense the white ink(?)

    Thanks oona for doing the giveaway ...

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  29. I love my red pencil barrel thing with chalk in every colour of the rainbow. Of course the chalk breaks in tiny pieces if you drop it, but I love it so much and I am very careful with it!

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  30. Ooh! Me likey. Please toss my name in the hat.

    My marking trick is thus: those rubbishy annoying slivers of soap left at the end of the bar. Sharp edge. Easily sharpened by snapping off a bit. But most importantly, guaranteed to come out in the wash because it's soap!

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  31. I feel like I've tried most things and they never quite work. The best method I know is a tracing wheel and chalk paper, but I'm generally too lazy. If I know its in an area that won't be seen I'll use a sharpie instead.

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  32. I feel like I've tried most things and they never quite work. The best method I know is a tracing wheel and chalk paper, but I'm generally too lazy. If I know its in an area that won't be seen I'll use a sharpie instead.

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  33. Haha! Tool / Slut!

    Ok, I 'sometimes' mark fabric with a piece of flat chalk that appeared one day in my stash, after my friend delivered a lot of stash stuff from her Grandma's house... I didn't know what it was, so put it away, and then saw online people marked fabric and they were kinda professional about it. So that's why I only 'sometimes' mark fabric, as I'm a lazy seamstress and jump ahead and make mistakes. Fun mistakes!

    xoxo

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  34. I just use boring tailors chalk, the flat rectangle with a sharpened edge. Sigh. I want yours!!

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  35. I've had some bad experiences with different marking tools (I'm looking at you stupid disappearing markers!) but the worst was just recent. My absolute favorite go to tool has been plain old tailor's chalk in white, blue or pink... but obviously the pink was my favorite cuz pink! Then I found out that it doesn't come out of some/any fabrics. Which leaves me with a couple of awesome except for the stupid non-removable pink chalk FOs. I'm pretty sure this would be my new favorite should I be the lucky winner! Thanks Oona you're awesome!

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  36. I've been using one of those chalk wheels since I learned about them at University about 18 years ago (studying for a degree in clothing and textiles had to be good for something!). I'm about to try one of the erasable pens (Frixion, by Pilot) which comes out with the iron! Apparently it does leave a slight ghost of where the mark was, but no colour.

    Please don't toss my name in the hat, because a) I live in New Zealand, postage would be a b****, and b) I already have a chalk wheel ;-)

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  37. Oh wow I wants. I have a bunch of different marking tools and use them all but if I really care I use carbon and wheel. Then a week so a friend gave me a red barrel thing cos you can't get them here so her mum posted it from the US and I fell instantly in love. Maybe we're still honeymooning though. I can see this doodacky being a win though, it's like all of them rolled into one! If you are including people as far away as New Zealand I'd love to be in for this!

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  38. Seeing that I am still using the disgraced red barrel, I think I'll jump into the giveaway pool!

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  39. I have the red barrel, which I sometimes use. Because of the lines being so thick I changed to taylor tacks lately, which is way too time intensive to mark everything with (since I am an European girl, there's allways those seam allowances, for example). This type of tool would be a fantastic addition to my beloved taylor tacks.

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  40. Marking Tool?!
    Ha! I currenlty use the eyeballing method.

    Ok, so I probably shouln't be gloating about that as a lot of the times things turn out a bit wonky.

    Candy
    CandyaJoyce@yahoo.co.uk

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  41. Unfortunately I am one of the sharpening schmucks with the chalk pencil, that is if I can be arsed marking at all.

    Just wrote arsed, that may increase the traffic even more!

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  42. i don't have a good way to mark fabric, so i could really use the clover!

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  43. I have to get one of those! I have been experimenting with every method out there to find a good way to mark my fabric! I recently started sewing again and that has been my biggest frustration!

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  44. ehehee - how to make southern boy happy! love that! you should tattoo that line onto hm dunno something.. anyhow, i mark my fabric with soap scraps (if i decide to mark it with anything, usually i just cut it without bothering with all that).. tried all sorts of pens and pencils, hated them all.. but soap never fails me (ok, i lie, if you work on some long lines, it sort of starts melting, and becomes messy).. but that little thingy you have there looks pretty helpful to me :)

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  45. I have one of those red pens with interchangeable chalk colours. Haven't found too many problems with breaking chalk, but I'm always up for a fun new tool.

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  46. oh marking is my nemesis! i currently have chacopel chalk pencils which i like (much better than the cheap ones) but yours looks fab! i have also recently toyed with dressmakers paper and a tracing wheel but not that keen (i think i need a non-spiky tracing wheel)

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  47. Man, I'm like... prehistoric or something in marking tools, seems like. I use a regular pencil (yup, the HB kind) for light fabric and soap for the darker ones. Soap, you ask? Why yes! I just use those leftover bits and pieces, all thin and flimsy, let them dry, and use 'em. Or even sharpen those teeny hotel soap bars with shears and use that. It's surprisingly precise... The best part? You know the markings are FOR SURE coming out in the wash! But maybe it's time I try something a little less Little House on the Prairie-ish?

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  48. I'm not fancy, I use tailor's chalk for most things and tailor tacks for darts.

    :)

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  49. Like a kid in Toy R US... I know that was you when you discovered this little tool. This might be the perfect addition to Chateau Madalynne because marking anything lingerie NEEDS to be precise. PRECISE I SAY!

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  50. I have been watching his jean class on Craftsy and he uses this tool for marking. I was drooling over it the other day and now you have one to give away. Life is good.
    I use tracing paper and a tracing wheel for most of my markings and also the occasional thread tracing on finer fabric.
    Thanks for a chance to win.
    buttonhole at charter dot net

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  51. oh yes, it was a beautiful day when i got one of those! mind you only in white, which doesn't do much good on light fabrics... for that i use a good ol' No. 2 pencil.

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  52. A glass of wine for me too? I have one of these in yellow and I loved it when my parents presented it to me for my birthday. My one and only sad problem with it is that the yellow chalk stays on the darned fabric forever. It fades some but it is still totally visible on (often the outside) of many of my garments. Womp womp. I think it is because unlike tailor's chalk it is a dry powder? So it doesn't just steam away, it soaks up the water and then sinks in for a nice long stay.

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  53. I'm a bad little marker and use a HB graphite pencil most of the time. Or just your plain old chalk (mine's light blue). Chalk pencils didn't work out for me: they do have a terrible tendency to break all the time.

    Where do you get the refill for that thing, by the way?

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  54. Tracing paper and wheel here.....
    That's super old school isn't it?!

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  55. Hmmm...I have been known to just use a regular pen to do my marking - anything that is within easy reach at the time...shhh, don't tell anyone!
    I have a version of that fantastic Clover marker, but I think it is a poor mans imitation because it is hopeless and I can never see the marks. I think bright pink would solve that though!!!
    I shall keep my fingers crossed...and if I'm not sucessful in winning I think I may just have to go on an internet search and buy one for myself!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  56. I use the same method every time, taylors chalk and many, MANY curses. And Gin. I hate marking.

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  57. I usually use blue chalk, but the other day, I was working on blue fabric. My chalk wouldn't show up for anything, and so I grabbed a cheapo 99 cent eyeliner pencil I had in white. Perfecto! =D But if I had PINK, along with the blue...well, then the world would be my oyster! And, coincidentally, my stage!

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  58. Ooooh, me likey! Generally I use tailor tacks unless there's a line that needs marked. Then I use the tracing wheel and paper since I haven't found anything else yet. But this lovely pink(!) wonder may convert me yet! Thanks for the giveaway!!

    mandarilla_2000@yahoo.com

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  59. I use a disappearing ink pen because then I don't have to sharpen it!

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  60. I am always looking for a better marking tool. My favorite method of marking depends on the fabric and none of them are really my "favorite" because I never feel like my marking is accurate enough or helpful enough. And I still miss making marks all the time! I could use some professional help ;)

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  61. It does make the nicest "snick snick snick", doesn't it? And it brushes away more easily than the pencils. And it doesn't drag on your fabric like the pencils. (Um, don't count me in the giveaway. I have several of these already...)

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    1. Oh. And for a long time one of the top 3 key word searches for my blog was "jackhammer". Go figure. LOL

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  62. That tool sounds awesome! I think my current favourite marking device is my Grandmas old tracing wheel and paper. I still have a number of papers left and just picked up a new never been used pack manufactured here in Canada in the 60's.

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  63. I like to mark points with a pin and my set of three clover pencils - white, pink, and blue. I think I use the pink the most - who wouldn't? Thanks Oona for your blog, wit, and skills. We loves ya!

    Toni

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  64. I am still in search of the perfect marking tool - so maybe this is it! I most often use tailor's chalk, but I will admit to having resorted to a sharpie (well within seam allowance) when I just can't get anything else to work.

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  65. I currently attempt to mark things with water soluble wax pastels. They mark really well! Except they don't wash out so well. There's still orange lines on a blue skirt I recently made, but luckily nobody stands with their face that close to my waist on a regular basis so for the most part it's only me who notices...

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  66. I have no favorite marking tool. I have about 10 chalk pencils and some sharpies and a tracing wheel and I don't really like any of them! Maybe this could be the end of my search...

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  67. I usually use wash-out mysteriously-disappearing purple marker, (it's purple!), but I have something similar to your adorable pink thingy, only it's triangular and has white chalky powder inside.

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  68. I'm still trying to figure out my favorite marking tool. I've used everything from the nearest regular pen available to the never-sharp chalk pencil to some wax transfer paper from the 1950s that my mom found in her stash. This thing, however, looks fabulous!! Though, honestly, the evil chalk pencil looks equally fun.

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  69. My most frequently used marking tools are the purple disappearing marker and soap slivers (practically free and it always washes out), but I'll be more than happy to give that Clove a try.

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  70. Being afraid of the Comb. LOVE IT

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    1. I just checked out my searches and the ones that are not about sewing are usually about boobs. The best one is 'boobs trice'. Who's going around looking for my boobs?

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  71. oh those are cute... clove for me please?

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  72. That looks amazing!! I'm a total convert to bright yellow chalk triangle. It shows on every colour garment I've made. I've not tried it on yellow but that's gonna be pretty rare so I feel I'm safe for 99.9% of situations.

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  73. the pink Clover chalk is my favorite!! Mine is running low after a couple years, and I recently picked up a yellow, but the yellow doesn't seem to brush off so easily... as in, it's still on the seam of a sweater! I occasionally use markers, but the clover chalk is really the best!

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  74. wow you take your marking tools seriously! I usually end up using my yellow pencil or wax marking paper. I need to get with it when it comes to updating my tool box!

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  75. My marking technique tends to be "whatever I can do to get away with as little marking as possible". I've eyeballed things that should never ever be eyeballed. Hence why I need a real marking tool so I have no excuse to be the world's laziest marker of all time.

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  76. *hangs head in shame* It's usually a pencil. Or whatever I can quickly get my hands on that will not upset my gin glass...

    Great post, and educational too! :)

    Love,
    Mugsy

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  77. Last weekend I got the exact same pink marking tool! I'm obsessed!

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  78. I've wanted one of these damn pens for like a year, but I haven't gotten around to actually buying it. WHYY I don't know. I did discover these little wax squares, though, at the Vogue Fabric Store when I was in Chicago... they make these gorgeous bright lines that disappear when you hit them with heat. IT IS AWESOME. I'm always burning my markings into my fabric (oops), now I don't want to worry haha.

    I should also note that I originally bought the waxies myself, then promptly threw them away with the bag because I am a dumbass. Liz (zilredloh!) kindly sent me another set of them, because she's awesome and sweet and I love her.

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  79. I already love the Clover goodness! My yellow one wants a pink friend though!!!

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  80. I've got white and blue clover triangles - LOVE the white; the blue not so much. When white isn't appropriate, I use tailor's tacks. May need Kenneth's chalk brush thingy. Or that lovely pink chalk pencil!

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  81. My fabulous method involves using a #2 to ruin/ mark the fabric or just rolling over the edges of my pattern with the razor. No wonder my clothes don't fit.

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  82. I love that little tool! I typically mark fabric with a block of chalk I have which, as I'm sure you can imagine, isn't too precise, so I typically don't mark fabric, I just sort of pin and cut at will. It doesn't always turns out so well...

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  83. I clearly need a new method! I use boring old tailors chalk. Tell me more about this course at Mood! Me want!

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  84. Holy Crap Oona, I HATE all my marking devices! They are all of the crumbly sharpeny variety, even my chalk dust-o-wheel doo-hickey. I can't bring myself to throw good money at any more empty promises, but if you swear the chubby pink is The One, than be my guest and annoint me the winner.

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  85. I'm a bit of a virgin sewer and am still working out what I like! So far I've used a chalk pencil which I really did not enjoy, and a sharpie for muslins!!

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  86. Oooo this looks like an exciting marking implement! I use Frixion pens as the ink disappears with heat. This is awesome but annoying too if you accidentally iron over your newly marked fabric pieces!

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  87. I love to use some wax paper and my grandma's old tracing wheel (a la Susan Khalje!).

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  88. Ooh, yes I want one. I use my chalk pencil most often. If I get the energy, I like my wheel and tracing paper but I rarely get it all out and set up. And sometimes (and I say this shamefully) I just use a regular old pencil.

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  89. Yikes, I don't mark my fabric half the time because I hate all of my marking tools! I'm with you on the five million sharpens of the chalk, which might be why I end up reaching for washable crayolas the rest of the time and then hoping they actually wash out.

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  90. Oh I loooooooove my chacoliners, I have them in all colors so DON'T enter me in the comp :o) You;re right about the slickety-clickety. Total ASMR trigger.

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  91. I...use pins. My chalks don't show up, ever until I've practically scored the floor. my dusty chalk thing ran out of dust in the midst of dart shaping (ONE DART!) and don't get me started on the apparent possibility of keeping my pattern, carbon paper, and fabric to stay in one place. I usually just end up using pins (and no pattern) or the no brand kids markers from the dollar store.

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  92. ooooh now this is a prize I really want!

    I use plain old tailors chalk, but would be soooo happy to try this one out :)

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  93. I don't have a favorite way of marking fabric, I HATE them all! Save me!

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  94. I only have three lumps of chalk I stole from my mums sewing box. Admittedly, they used to make pretty good chalk back in the day, as these ones are awesome, but I'm always up for finding something that doesn't also leave me covered in chalk :) And, what's more, I've actually looked to try and buy one of these, and nowhere around here sells them :( Stupid Perth. Bah humbug!

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  95. _Every time_ i go to the fabric store for something, I pick up one of those nifty Clover markers, carry it around with me, then sadly go and put it back..... why? Because my tailors chalks still work perfectly well, though it's been ages since I got a nice, precise line from any of them!

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  96. I am currently trying out the jumbo wax tracing sheets that don't come out for nuthin' + the double (!) tracing wheel, but have been known to use pencil, ball point pen, and clipping match points. I do like the black and white unknown squares of inherited something, but will I be judged as a teacher's pet if I admit to really liking to thread trace?
    I'm open to experimentation, though.

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  97. I use a purple pen; and hope I get it sewn before it fades.

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  98. I've had my eye on one of those Clover pens for awhile. I use whatever feels best for the project. I used tracing paper and wheel for my recent pants muslin (which I've been wearing all evening to see how well I've actually fit - or over fit - it). The project before that (yet to be blogged) didn't require anything more than a few snips in the seam allowances. Before that was a delicate silk, so I used tailor's tacks and silk thread basting. Anything goes over here!

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  99. Wow that looks amazing - I've never even seen one of them before! I usually use my water soluble pens, but I don't know what I'm doing wrong there as they do seem to dry up rather quickly! x

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  100. My favorite marking tool has to be water washable kids' color markers. It's certainly not impressive and professionnal looking, but it works very well. it makes precise lines, glides over most fabrics, and does not rub off like chalk. plus it really does wash out with water, even after ironing over it multiple times, and even on synthetic fabric. and it's cheaper than the dedicated sewing washable markers, and you can have a lot of colors, you know, to match your fabric.
    the only downside is that it doesn't work on black fabric. for these, I used to use regular color pencils (white or yellow) because it makes thinner and more durable markings than chalk but after sewing with black sweater material (the one with fuzz on the wrong side), I experimented with white eyeliner khol pencil and it worked really well. it did not rub off and was easy to see. the downside is that I used up half my 10$ pencil on one project, but i invested on a crappy dollar one now and it works just as well. i would not recommend it on thin fabrics without testing if it stains, but as someone who often has to work on projects in spurs, and who marks sewing lines and not allowances, it's really annoying to have to retrace my pattern pieces again and again after storing them away for awhile.

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  101. I love the tracing wheel and paper, just because I like to roll the wheel. But, the color on the paper gets everywhere!

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  102. I'm lame. I use a pencil when chalk doesn't work. I seriously need to treat myself to more tools.

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  103. I'm in the chalk and tacks group...and have been known to use a lead pencil in a pinch...!

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  104. I love those Clover chalk wheels! I used to have one of those little heart-shaped ones but this one is easier. It works on everything...

    I love that you get hits for "how to keep a southern boy happy". Hmmm: the right cornbread recipe? (mine's too hard, apparently.) saying, "yes, please"? lemon pound cake? mom's amazing beef stew? wait, why does my list have a lot of food...

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  105. That's one cool tool, Oona! Much better than swiping my kid's Crayola markers!

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  106. I love my clover pen, and it was much less expensive than the similar, heart-shaped kind. I only have yellow but I have white and pink on my wish-list.

    My other go to is woodless colored pencils. Easy to sharpen and no wax so you can iron over the marks and they'll still wash out. I usually only use them on the wrong side of the fabric, but I have used them on the right side and they do wash out. They're also great for tracing patterns because they can make a bold line and you can use different colors for different marks.

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  107. Owhhhhh! That little marking "doovy" looks fantastic - not sure they've made their way downunder yet! My marker of choice is the blue pen that disappears with water - probably not the most accurate thing to use but quick & easy!

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  108. Ditto on the refills....haha!

    Right now I just use whatever is handy; Chalk, Bic pen, Ketchup (we won't discuss that one just yet). Would love to win your handy dandy tool (maybe my dart lines won't look so much like worms in a field of fibers).

    Either way, THANKS for the tip!!

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  109. Please count me in! My current method of marking things like darts is Masking Tape! I mark the ends with pins and then connect the dots with the tape to make a straight line. It works pretty well actually, but it would be nice to have a proper marking pen =)

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  110. To be honest, any pen, pencil, Sharpie that is nearby. *sheepish grin* Love the new tool you found!

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  111. The stats- hilarious! I don't use a pen yet. I'm still trying to get the darts right with tracing paper, the serrated wheel and basting. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I have not had success with any pens yet though :-(

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  112. My Mom has a chalk and graphite set that is waaaaay better than the crappy colored pencil things I always buy. If I don't win this one I'll probably have go out and buy one of these for myself...

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  113. Oh, so cool! I want one!

    My fave is one of the wash-away markers---so far it's always come out for me---but I've been pretty satisfied with my colicky chalk pencil thing (ps that was suppose to be "clicky" but the autocorrect is too fun). Very curious about this critter of yours, though.

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  114. What a great tool! I'm stil experimenting with marking. So far, I like the chalk pencils and the Frixon pens. Thanks for doing the giveaway!

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  115. I have yet to find a favorite marking pen. Right now I'm using a piece of chalk. I've tried colored pencils and markers..eehh.and I'm a bit paranoid the wash away markers are lying to me and won't disappear. I've been eyeing those Clover pens for quite some time now.

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  116. I don't mark at all. I just go all Zen and become one with the fabric and let it tell me how it wants to be. Hmmm...maybe that's why everything looks crooked? Need this marker.

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  117. Oooooo, that looks groovy. When I'm not too lazy to mark, I use wax paper and a tracing wheel.

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  118. THAT tool looks just like what I NEED! The chalk I'm using isn't cutting it. Ha!

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  119. I use tailors chalk, but get frustrated with it. Could definitely use something new that works!

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  120. Oooh, these Clover pens are already my favourite marking tool (actually, my only marking tool, I threw out my crumbly dull chalk chunks the instant I brought one of these bad boys home). I'm so happy you discovered them! And am intrigued by a way to erase them, will have to look into that. To confirm a warning I've seen here already: yes, the blue version can stain some fabrics, so test it out before going to town on something you love.

    While I love these, don't put me in the contest, ok? I already have a white and a blue one, and I would rather create another convert than have a crazy stash all to myself :).

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  121. Oh my gosh - I have to have that Clover pen!

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    1. I didn't realise there was a contest. I mark with pins and pencils. I sometimes use marking paper but I don't like it.

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  122. Current marking tool? Ehm, none... I don't like chalk, doesn't seem to work half of the time. This pen seems exactly what I need!

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  123. I used to have a thin chalk rectangle, but it has disappeared. Now I use tailor's tacks or wax pencils that I "borrowed" from my mother. Or regular marker if I'm feeling feisty.

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  124. I use one of those horrible disappearing ink pens.
    You know the type that is suppose to disappear and never does and you are left with a horrible hot pink line on the lining of your outfit.
    Gahhhhhhh!!!

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  125. My favorite is General's Pastel Chalk Pencil in yellow and white (a quilter's trick, shhhh). The marks are clearly defined and long lasting, but also wash out easily in water. However, I constantly have to sharpen it over and over since the point gets dull quickly.

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  126. I was taught using using tailors tacks but just recently I have been using tailors chalk (or on the back of one thing biro :/)

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  127. Tracing paper and a tracing wheel! I do have to admit that my mom has an old chalk wheel tool similar to the clover one that I also love!

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  128. I use a ceramic chalk mechanical pencil thing I found in the quilting department at JoAnn--it's pretty nice but I'd love to be able to compare it to this thing!

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  129. I've only used tailor's tacks and chalk so far, but I've only sewn a few garments.

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  130. I usually just use tailor's chalk but have been intrigued with those Clover markers for awhile now. Alas none of the stores around me seem to carry them. It's great to hear they work as awesomely well in reality as they do in my head. Because its always disappointing when you get your grubby little hands on a coveted sewing tool just to discover it doesn't measure up to your expectations.

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  131. I'm new to the whole sewing game and haven't had the time or money to invest in any fancy "proper" marking tools. So far it
    s been fine point sharpies for muslins, and a nice gray fine point crayola washable for anything that's going to be seen outside of the house (internet excluded of course). If I don't win, this is definitely going on my amazon wish list (which has suddenly become 75% sewing 25% everything else).

    I hope you enjoyed your refill, my wine is almost out at home, sad day!!! I have a couple of days off soon, I'll need to replenish before then!

    Matthew

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  132. Those Clovers are my favorite! Mine's ancient, though, probably 15 years now, and I'd love to be able to let it have a rest and try the new style! And pink!!

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  133. I have clover pencils and the similar rolly chalk ones that you have. I don't have pink, though! :D

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  134. Tracing wheel and paper for me. But this baby looks so cool! I want one! :-)

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  135. I use left over soap bits. It works great on darker fabric and if I have a light fabric then I use a regular old chalk pencil,which by the way sucks, but it works. Thanks for the great give away and always the great blog.

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  136. I have this exact thing! It is the shiz!

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i thankya truly for taking the time to comment, i love a good conversation-- and hope you know my thanks are always implied, if not always written!