Best sewing marking & tracing tools according to redditors

Hello all! I wanted to share with you my organizer for all my daily cross stitch stuff. I had been looking for an easy solution to store my stuff without having it all over my coffee table and be able to easily move between rooms to continue working on my projects. I finally found this little organizer on Amazon and it's PERFECT for what I needed. I thought it would be fun to go through my bag and show what supplies I keep in there. Not pictured are obviously my hoop this is my all time favorite and the grime guard that I am trying to learn to love.

Everything is stored in the Roll-up canvas organizer that I got from Amazon. It's made for crochet supplies, but comes empty so you can load it up with your own stuff. Lot of designs available, but most importantly, CATS!

Section 1:

-Dritz seam ripper

-Cottage Cutz 2-in-1 needle threader

-Basic travel scissors

-Embroidery Scissors

-Needle Minders - one homemade from a dichroic pendant from a local craft fair, one made from a Babypietattoo hand painted clay pendant

-Tiny magnet set - I used this as a "minder" before I got around to making new ones. I keep it inside my kit now to use for my needle threader. I usually stitch with the kit opened in front of me, so it's easy to just throw the threader down on the magnet and have it handy

-Needle threader


Section 2:

-Needle Twister - this thing totally rocks and I want one for each size of needles!

-Magentic needle case

-Assorted sewing needles


Section 3:

-Needle minder from Maggies Minders

-Hem clips - I got mine in a vintage sewing box from an estate sale. They are perfect for clipping back extra aida to keep it out of the way

-Clover fine tipped water soluble marker

-Snip-a-Stitch scissors


Section 4

ORT [Thread catcher] from Maggies Minders

DMC magnetic needle case

Dritz Fray Check with applicator tip

I use these and I love them. I've never had a problem. I use wet a washcloth and wipe it off when I'm done. Don't get the pink ones, the disappear too fast.

Notions?

I try to be picky about which specialty rulers I add to my collection because they're often expensive and i don't want a billion of them... but i do have a small wish list of a few. I want the Jaybird Quilts Hex N More & Sidekick rulers. Angela Walters set of quilting rulers. Creative Grids Pineapple ruler. Creative Grids Folded Corner Clipper Tool [I just saw this video today and have decided I NEED this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKQ9VS8e0lI&t=2s)

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There's this gadget that is super cute and way overpriced [Roll & Press](https://www.amazon.ca/Clover-7812-Roll-Press-Light/dp/B01M7XAHFM/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=53S1QXXDF1KZPN96EEYN) that you can get for $3 in a not as cute [wallpaper seam roller](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000I1THI2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). I use this way more than i expected, and dont need to go to my iron nearly as much now.

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This [seam guide](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07JQMNXDZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) has seriously stepped up my piecing accuracy game since i got it.

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For Christmas 2017 I asked for/received 5 large spools of excellent quality thread and don't have to worry about running out anytime soon. I got Aurifil 50wt 100% cotton in white, medium grey, and black & also monofilament in clear and smoke. Almost 15,000 yards of thread! [HEAVEN!!!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G_CAYf-itw)

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Happy Early Birthday! I hope it rocks!!!

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Edit link formatting... that may or may not have done what I wanted it to do

These are the ones I use!

There’s honestly the only ones I’ve ever tried. I bought them 3 years ago and used them mostly to just draw on the fabric and less for transfer.

They’re pretty fine tip but the ink does spread a little so you’ll lose some smaller details. They’re really fun to rinse off though! The ink magically vanishes. I bought them 3 years ago and they’re still going strong so I can recommend them as being a really good value for your money too.

when i started embroidering i tried absolutely everything. granted that was a while ago, and embroidery is trendy now, so there may be new technology out there, but these are the things i trust.

this kind is good for very fine lines on lightweight and very pale fabric: collins "the fine line" marker it also seems to be sold under the brand "dritz".

on patterned or slightly heavier fabrics, these are the best: unique wash-out marker they are really my go-to. they may be sold under other brand names as well -- i suspect they are all made by very few companies and sold under different names. this one makes a slightly thicker and darker line than the one above.

both of these absolutely wash out 100%. in fact, it really just takes some dabbing with a wet washcloth.

if these won't show up on my fabric of choice -- they only come in blue -- i use crayola washable markers i am slightly more careful with these and will sometimes test them on the fabric first -- i find some colours are more easily washable than others -- but i just finished a piece where i'd left the lines for like six months (procrastination/distraction) and they still washed out. they do require actual soaking in soapy water, though -- not just a wet cloth like the other kind. since i wash and block all my pieces when i'm finished, this is no problem for me.

with any of them, the less time the marks have sat on the fabric, the easier they are to get out.

the only things i've ever almost ruined pieces with were a red fabric-marking pencil i bought at a fabric store, and a regular pencil. never again!

for light markings on dark fabrics, i use chalk or staedtler lumocolour non-permanent pencil in white.

I use Leonis pens and have never had a problem with permanent stains. They're really short but seem to hold a lot of ink. They're also much cheaper than other brands.

https://www.amazon.com/LEONIS-Water-Erasable-Marking-78008/dp/B00QTIBOS4/

12 PACK Disappearing Ink Marking Pen, Air Water Erasable Pen/ Fabric Marker/ Temporary Marking/ Auto-Vanishing Pen for Cloth (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I86OFGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_vaUgAb8FTB57T
This is the one I’ve been using. I’ve had no issues with them washing away.

I don't have any experience drawing on faux leather/vinyl but I have tried using a sharpie marker on black leather shoes to cover up a small scuff mark. It worked for a short while until it started to fade and turned green in the sunlight. If you do chose to use permanent markers, look for ones containing archival-quality ink as they are resistant to fading over time. Another option you could look into is leather dye pens. Realeather offers them in colour packs and Tandy makes refillable pens that you load with leather dye. I haven't tried any of these personally though. Good luck!

You can get these little things to stick to the bottom of your clear acrylic ruler to help keep it from slipping around.

I use these: 12 pcs Patchwork Needlework Water Erasable Pens https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073ZD5HZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_V5lTBbXDZV7ET

The lines disappear as soon as they get wet. Leaves no trace. Blue stays bright but the pink fades and purple disappears in a matter of minutes. I use purple for lines I don't need to stay and pink as "road blocks" so I like the variety

I sent them through a chat, but I’ll resend them this way...
I would get the floss at Johanns, they also sell cute kits. As far as the rest of the supplies I’d go with Amazon because of your time limits. Look for needles by John James in a variety pack sized 5-9, fabric, look for I-Nee cotton, and hoops by Morgan. Amazon also has great light boxes for transferring patterns....
https://www.amazon.com/John-James-Needle-30-Assorted/dp/B001VJNOV6/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?keywords=john+james+needles&qid=1564833113&s=gateway&sprefix=john+j&sr=8-17

https://www.amazon.com/iNee-Cotton-Fabric-Embroidery-60-inch/dp/B07F171ZJY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=cotton+fabric+by+the+yard+embroidery&qid=1564833223&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

These are great pens for transferring patterns and drawing designs onto fabric
https://www.amazon.com/Threaders-Erasable-Fabric-Pens-3pk-Black/dp/B072QDSB2G/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=threaders+erasable+fabric+pens&qid=1564833299&s=gateway&sprefix=threaders+era&sr=8-3

Hoops
https://www.amazon.com/Morgan-Products-Stand-Combo-Hoops/dp/B000YZ3YIQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=morgan+hoop&qid=1564833394&s=gateway&sprefix=morgan+hoop&sr=8-4
Or
https://www.amazon.com/Morgan-Quality-Products-Embroidery-Interlocking/dp/B07B7C9QWQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?keywords=morgan+hoop&qid=1564833481&s=gateway&sprefix=morgan+hoop&sr=8-13
For future reference I get most of my supplies from 123stitch.com or embroidery.com
Great fabric can be found off Etsy
Shops I like on Etsy for linen
CloudCraftShop Robert Kaufman Essex Linen Fat Quarter Bundle, Naturals
BidouillArtStock Linen embroidery fabric coupon
FineStitchStudio Embroidery Linen 'Graziano' - Fat quarter

Etsy has good kits,
https:\namastehandembroidery.com has great kits as well. I personally love thread painting. If that’s something you think she’d like to try, go with anything from
https://trishbembroidery.com or any of her books!
Also
https://berlinembroidery.com/product-category/hand-embroidery-kits/needle-painting-kits/

I use these: YEHAM®Disappearing Ink Vanishing Air Erasable Pen(9 PACK,3 COLOR) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0182HZZ02/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aNMLBbJ5GMNF2

I draw on the grid and the ink comes out when wet! Just make sure to try them each on a spare piece of fabric first. My pink ones leave a weird yellow tint when washed off, but my blue ones work perfectly!

I like using a Chaco Liner to transfer lines. It is powdered chalk that is deposited by a little wheel when you run it over your fabric, so it doesn't drag on the fabric. There are different versions of this, that's the one I have. When I can't use chalk, I use a washable blue fabric marker or I thread trace. For circles, I use a chalk pencil or the washable blue marker.

When I mark the fabric, I put straight pins through all the layers, then lift the pattern and mark where the pins are located. I mark both fabric layers on the wrong side, and I make a dot at circles with the chalk pencil or with a blue marker. For darts, I usually place a pin at the point and where the dart legs cross the seam, then connect the dots with a ruler and my Chaco Liner.

I have never had a problem removing the marks with these methods, but still test!

Have you tried marking with a wash-out fabric marker? I use the little Japanese markers to mark quilting lines, should work for hem lines too.

I've used a brightly colored floss, washable markers and this stuff https://www.scarletquince.com/blog/?p=568. I usually use aida cloth and do 10x10 grid. I can't speak to linens or other fabrics.
- For me, markers win for ease of use. I've never had any ghosting of marks or bleeding from the floss (I use DMC floss most of the time) when washing marks away. I like this brand. https://www.amazon.com/LEONIS-Water-Erasable-Marking-78008/dp/B00QTIBOS4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1G8HLG2TTLIQ4&keywords=washable+fabric+markers+for+sewing&qid=1574460816&sprefix=washable+fabr%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-4.
- Floss can be hard to remove cleanly. I don't love having to use tweezers and potentially messing up my stitches.
- I haven't used the monofilament on any extensive projects but plan to on my next project. I am ordering some 8 lb. red monofilament from Amazon to try, as it is more reasonably priced than the branded Easy Count stuff.

Hope this helps.

I stitch a grid in with braided fishing line:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074T7ZNZ7

not just because I am a masochist but because I use dark fabrics so I always assumed the pens won't show up. I am going to do a light fabric next so I was planning trying these pens:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IWEAPSS

I use these by Leonis

They're pretty good and come out of fabric easily.

I love that!

Here is the one I bought.

fabric pens

I use either these Dritz Marking pens or I grid it out with Sulky Holoshimmer thread, it's a plastic colorful thread that's easy to get out and can't easily be pierced by your needle.

These little triangles of chalk. $11 for enough to last a lifetime https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075TDVKZR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got these pens from amazon and put them to the test recently. The marks went away after a round in the dryer with the blue pen, though I can't speak certainly on the rest because I haven't texted them out yet :3