Review--Marking Tools (Bohin Mechanical Pencil and Allary Chalk Cartridge Set)
When I want to mark quilting designs on my fabric, I absolutely LOVE the Bohin mechanical marking pencil. The “lead” available for the pencil is made of a waxy chalk. It adheres to the fabric long enough to quilt the design, but it is easy to remove when you are finished quilting. The mechanical pencil includes an eraser which actually works to remove the chalk if you make a mistake or change your mind. The chalk refills come in several colors; I know these colors are available—white, gray, green, and yellow (there may be more). This pencil is very easy to mark with making a nice thin (0.9 mm), smooth line on the fabric. The Bohin mechanical pencil costs around $12 with refills costing around $6. The only con I have found is that when the lead gets to be about 1/2 inch long, the pencil won't mark. You can't keep the lead from pushing back up into the barrel when you try to make a mark. I think this is a big waste of lead, and it is very annoying. I'm hoping new models will correct this problem.
I often use the tulle method of marking a design onto my quilt. (Check out my "Tutorials" page. You'll find out how to use tulle to mark a quilt there.) I find the Bohin mechanical pencil is a bit hard to use when marking through the tulle. The tulle tends to break the “lead” in the Bohin marker. For transferring a quilting design using tulle, I like to use the Allary Chalk Cartridge holder. The Allary Chalk Cartridge Set comes with a plastic case which holds eight white refill "leads" and one in each of the following eight colors: flesh, orange, fuchsia, turquoise, green, violet, medium blue and yellow. The holder mechanism and sharpener are included. The cost for this set is between $9-$12. The “leads” for this holder are thicker and make a wider line than that made by the Bohin, and the “lead” point doesn’t last nearly as long as with the Bohin mechanical pencil. However, I find that the “lead” in this marker holds up much better when used in conjunction with the tulle. There are refill packs available for this holder also. The refill includes a plastic case and 16 “leads” (same as in the original set) and costs approximately $7.
When I want to mark quilting designs on my fabric, I absolutely LOVE the Bohin mechanical marking pencil. The “lead” available for the pencil is made of a waxy chalk. It adheres to the fabric long enough to quilt the design, but it is easy to remove when you are finished quilting. The mechanical pencil includes an eraser which actually works to remove the chalk if you make a mistake or change your mind. The chalk refills come in several colors; I know these colors are available—white, gray, green, and yellow (there may be more). This pencil is very easy to mark with making a nice thin (0.9 mm), smooth line on the fabric. The Bohin mechanical pencil costs around $12 with refills costing around $6. The only con I have found is that when the lead gets to be about 1/2 inch long, the pencil won't mark. You can't keep the lead from pushing back up into the barrel when you try to make a mark. I think this is a big waste of lead, and it is very annoying. I'm hoping new models will correct this problem.
11 comments:
how do you change the chalk? No directions on the package and I'm mechanically challenged! thankx
This worked for me...I pushed and held down the end that would be the eraser end of the pencil. This opens up the point end. Insert the new piece of chalk into the point end. Once it is inserted as far as you want (leave a little out to sharpen), let go of the "eraser end." This causes the point end to close up and "grasp" the chalk. Hope this helps. It is a lot easier to do than it sounds here!
The above instructions are for the Allary Chalk pencil. As for the Bohin marker, remove the eraser, put the additional chalk into the pen (from the eraser end), put the eraser back on, and click the eraser till the chalk comes out the point end. This is the same as you would do with a mechanical pencil.
So hoping you could help me Beth. I used the orange Bohin chalk on my quilt. I then washed it in cold water. The chalk did not come out. I have tried using a fabric eraser and yes it fades it a little but the process is laborious and not removing completely. It has ruined my quilt.
Any suggestions please Vicki
Vicki,
I have had really good luck with the Resolve Stain Stick. It is in a green container with a red cap and looks like stick deodorant. You should be able to find it in the laundry aisle of your grocery store. Of course, I'd check it out on small pieces of the fabrics in your quilt before using it to see what effect it has on those fabrics. I guess, though, if the orange chalk "ruined" your quilt you have nothing to lose. I'm so sorry this happened to you.
Let me know if this helps.
The use of these mechanical pencils makes it indispensable and functionally utilitarian.
I have the Bohin ceramic pencil but I have a problem. A ceramic lead broke off inside and I cannot get a new replacement in. How can I clear the inside of the broken ceramic lead?
How do you remove chalk, yellow, from white fabric?
there is different colours of chalks available in the market, its up to you that which colour do you want to choose for your work.
Chalk is the good choice to use as a Marking Tools!!
http://www.frederickfollows.co.uk/standard_range_marking_machines.php
I am so happy to read this! Thank you. I absolutely love your work. You are so meticulous to mark all your straight lines. Marking chalk for fabric
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