Try generals chalk pencils, found at aaron brothers art supply. My FMQ teacher swears by them

i marked one quilt border. i had a vine/leaf stencil and rubbing it across as they suggest tended to make the pounce covering catch on the points of the plastic the cut outs had. so i "pounced" after all. that did the trick but i'm sure i used more chaulk that way. and i got the kind that brushes off, not irons off.

I have used both the regular powder and the iron off powder. Both worked but the iron off stayed on much better and disappeared when I ironed it.

I like the pounce alot but I have a Bernina with the BSR and the flecks block the BSR and it doesn't work as well with it, so pen for me next.

I've also seen demos where the quilter was using a foam paint brush instead of the 'pounce' - she had a little container of the chalk, dipped the brush in then ran the chalked brush over the stencil. Looked pretty efficient, but haven't had a chance to try it myself yet!

I just used this for the first time last week in my FMQ class. The instructor says that it should be called "Rub" instead of "Pounce" because it actually takes rubbing the applicator across the stencils to make it work!

Right there with you on this one! Maybe it's a learning curve. I have read that you should 'rub' with it vs. 'pounce' as the name implies. Haven't tried that yet.

Haven't used mine yet. Saw Online when it was suggested u can use coco or cinnamon added to powder or cornstarch to add color. I used painters tape to crosshatch. Used blue marking pen. Came right off with water.

I have used it-many people make the mistake of "tapping" the chalk over the stencil-you should just "rub" it across the stencil, and it leaves the mark. Be careful, though, don't do too much at once because as you handle your quilt, it comes off. I also use my Choco liner by Clover and I love that!! I am using it now on my flannel quilt.

I have had success with the chalks and ceramic pencils that Hollis recommends in his post. The pounce is supposed to iron off after quilting - however, I'm a bit dubious about the success of that.