Fabric Markers: A Must-Have Sewing Tool

Browse through our various fabric markers and fabric pens available. Marking your fabric is a standard part of sewing. Whether you’re tracing a template or transferring pattern markings, the fabric marker that works best will depend on the type of fabric you’re using and the purpose you need it to fill.

Types of Fabric Markers & Fabric Pens Available

The disappearing ink marker has two ends – a water-soluble tip and a disappearing ink tip. If you use the water-soluble end, you’ll have to wash your fabric before you can get rid of the markings, but the benefit is that the markings will stay on your fabric for the duration of your sewing project. The disappearing ink doesn’t require washing, but it will (usually) disappear on its own, so it may go away faster than you wanted it to.

Fabric pencils are water-soluble like markers. The problem is that the lines it draws are often very hard to see. However, the benefit to fabric pencils are that you can always sharpen them to get a fresh tip and they won’t dry out.

Tailor’s chalk usually comes in the shape of a flat triangle or rectangle. Tailor’s chalk will rub right off the fabric when you’re finished with the markings. Therefore, it generally carries less risk than using a pencil or marker. The down side is that it can be messy and sometimes the light coloring is difficult to see on light fabrics. Tailor’s chalk also comes in pencil form, which may be easier to use.

Tracing wheel & paper – Roll a tracing wheel onto your fabric to create a series of small indentations that will serve as temporary marks. Similar to carbon paper, tracing paper transfers markings with applied pressure. Simply sandwich the tracing paper between your fabric and your pattern. Then use the tracing wheel to mark over the pattern outlines and markings.

Tailor’s wax is like a crayon you can use to mark your fabric. Since it is made of wax, you run the risk of staining your fabric. In theory it will come off with the heat of the iron, but that’s not always true.

And remember, if you don’t see it listed here, just give us a shout. Chances are that we have it in stock!