Measuring & Marking Tools

[gem]

Do you have favorites? I'm looking to upgrade my tools.

I have a long fiberglass tape measure that I use for everything (even though I know that the first inch is about 1/8" too short), and I love my heavy-duty 21" square quilting ruler (Christmas gift from Milord, and it cost an absolute fortune!). But I'm a curse on regular rulers: I keep losing or breaking mine (it might help if they weren't quite so completely transparent!). I actually went out this morning to buy a really nice one, but the one I liked best at Hobby Lobby was only $5.  So at least I *have* a ruler, but it's not a great one.

I can't find a fabric marking tool I really like. I used to use colored pencils and Sharpies, and honestly I think I was happier with those than the "real" things I've been trying to use! I have a Clover Chaco-liner, which really only works if you're marking long, straight lines. I have couple of those blue water-soluble pens, which are my current favorites, though neither is ideal (one marks really well but disappears poorly; one disappears beautifully but is harder to mark with), and neither is remotely useful on dark fabrics. And I haven't found a fabric marking pencil that I like at all.

Recommendations?

Gramercy!!

[LadyShadow]

I feel your pain with marking items.  I have bought the marking pens, pencils and markers.  But found that black, blue and silver sharpies work the best for me. 

[Lady Rosalind]

For dark fabrics, I like either a silver marking pencil, or a white water-soluble marker. I also have a purple disappearing pen that I bought for embroidery, but ended up using for the slashes on my son's doublet and slops. It disappears within 24 hours, sometimes much sooner, like when you can't get everything finished within 2 hours!

I'm still trying to find the best fit, too.

[ArielCallista]

I usually use tailors chalk...it comes in a little square or rectangle. the edges are pretty sharp and they usually come with a little holder/sharpener to keep chalk off your fingers (and thus everything you own) and sharpen the edges when they get dull..it comes in blue and white at joanns and if one color doesnt work the other always does! it brushes off decently well...I have one of those nail cleaner brushes that I use to brush it all off as needed and it works pretty well, plus it comes off in the wash completely. I used to use those pencils, but they take a bit more effort to write with...tailors chalk marks realy easy and smoothly

[GirlChris]

I use either a dressmaker's pencil (usually in white, though I like the blue as well) or plain ordinary crayola crayons. On interlinings I sometimes use pencil, but it's a pain to try and erase it so I only use it where it won't show.

[Lady Rebecca]

For lighter fabrics, I have a black wax pencil that marks pretty well, though the 30% of the time that I can't find it, I just use sharpie. I also sometimes use a white colored pencil. If I get the tip damp, it writes decently, but it's harder to mark with because it needs a hard surface underneath. So sometimes I simply mark with pins.

And the only measuring tools I ever use are my tape, my little ruler with the guide on it, and a large 18"x2" clear plastic grid ruler. I really want to get one of the triangle things with the 90 degree angle on it, though.

[Kate XXXXXX]

White chalk pencil on dark stuff, ordinary HB pencil on lighter stuff, or old fashioned thread tracing!  I do that in a soft silk...

[CenturiesSewing]

Another trick for marking on dark fabrics is using the leftover slivers of plain white soap.

[LadyStitch]

White chalk pencil on dark stuff, ordinary HB pencil on lighter stuff, or old fashioned thread tracing!  I do that in a soft silk...

I'm with you Kate.  I can get a box of white, or even colored dressmakers chalk from my tailor supply place.  It easily brushes off. In a pinch I even use regular chalk from the art store, BUT i have to sharpen it to a point so that it will follow the ruler properly.  Otherwise I have to move the ruler 1/8" to accommodate the variance. Otherwise I like plain old #2 pencils.  They easily wash out of most fabrics, and are easy to come by.

I will warn you, do NOT use real tailors wool chalk on anything but wool. One of cohorts made that mistake on some chiffon.  Trying to get a mixture of chalk and wax out of a silk fabric.... not a fun. I love to use it on my wool suitings and such.  Comes right out with a warm iron and a pressing cloth.

As for measuring tools, I keep breaking my quilting rules.  Doesn't matter if I spend 5 bucks or 50. Somehow they keep falling off my table and breaking.  I have to get a new plastic french curve every 6 months or so.  One thing I did do is pick up a carpenters L square. Yes it is big, yes it is a little heavy, but gosh darn it works great to get nice long lines.  Since it has weight to it, it helps hold my chiffons in place as I pin them. I just used it last night with my yard stick to get the sweep on a gored skirt right.
Now if they would only make a french curve that is as strong and unbreakable as the metal one's but I can still see through.

[ArielCallista]

thanks lady stitch for the tip on wool chalk...I will remember that. I'm pretty much notorious for using highlighters on things that won
't be seen...so mostly on muslins, interfacings, and canvas for corsets/bodices. its super easy to see but it never goes away, which doesnt really matter if its gonna be completely hidden by other layers of fabric.

[DonaCatalina]

I use a white dressmaker's pencil.
It comes in other colors, I just like the white. And it rubs off after you're donw.

[operafantomet]

I'm such an amateur compared to you guys. Not saying it to pretend to be modest or anything. It's true! I'm clueless when it comes to my sewing machine, and my collection of tools etc. is non-existant. Apart from my scissors of doom I have three tailor chalks; one in white, one in orange and one in blue. Don't remember the brand, it looks like this:
http://www.purlbee.com/storage/mar2?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1220640210981

They've handy and easy to remove afterwards.  I mostly use the white one, though. In fact, I think I have yet to use the blue one!

[ladyharrogate]

I've come to love my chalk wheel!  Also great when I need to work with transfer paper to mark darts on two sides.  Another favorite is my drafting ruler.  It has a straight side, right angle and a dressmakers curve.  Other must have tools....a sharpie, drafting paper, the 1/4 and 5/8 inch double pencils for marking your seam allowances.  I also love my bias tape makers and last but not least a good sharp pair of scissors.  Death to the child who thinks they can use my sewing scissors for their latest school project LOL.

[LadyShadow]

Death to the child who thinks they can use my sewing scissors for their latest school project LOL.

In my house this includes my Husband too.

[Adriana Rose]

My brother in law had used mine to cut open a thick plastic box, they were fried after that.

Now I write FABRIC ONLY on all of my good scissors