Maggiemay

I have the same problem & I was told to keep mine in the freezer! The lead doesn't break as easily that way.

citruscountyquilter

I like the chalk pencil that is a mechanical pencil. Never have to sharpen it and the lead doesn't break easily. It obviously doesn't work on white fabric but I've found I can see the markings on just about every other color of fabric and it comes off easily.

QuiltE

Is it chalk? ... or ceramic?
I like my ceramics that are a mechanical pencil .. as you said, it does not break easily.
For your light fabrics, they also have a grey lead that you can switch to ... I have a second pencil, to avoid that hassle as I often switch back and forth.

If only someone would invent the perfect marker!!!!!!!!!!!!

nanror

What brand of gel pens are you using? I like the idea that they iron off.

lclang

ONLY the Frixion pens will iron off.

Cottage Dee

Otis, are these the same Frixon pens we can buy at an office supply like office depot?

QuiltE

Not Otis ... but will answer ... yes the same ones!!
My experience has been that they cost less at the office supply stores!

There have been quite a few threads previously with the pros and cons noted. So you might want to check them out, as they are not perfect. I do like them, but know when I want to use them ... or not!

IshtarsMom

Couldn't live without the Frixon pens I learned about here...also the Bohn white mechanical...Got mine on Amazon prime where they have a package with several and several replacement cartridges included...have to wade through a lot of different offers to find the best packaging deal. Only problem is I have forgotten and pressed, wiped out my markings and had to start over...there were some bad words said there...LOL Also use regular chalk in a big, hand held pencil sharpener...can get a tiny point...saving the chalk dust to figure out a snap line at some point...

toverly

It's probably your sharpener. I use a small aluminum sharpener from my art/college days. It is the only one that doesn't shred the chalk or whatever that stuff its. But as you can see there are better things out there. I also switched to the mechanical ceramic pencil but I am trying to use up the regular style pencils.

Cecelia363

Try freezing the pencil before sharpening, that's what I do to my eyeliner pencils - it may work.