Hello fellow sewist!
Every sewist has their preferred tool for marking, but everyone will jump from one or the other depending on the project.
Here are a few marking tools to consider for your next sewing project!
Sewing Marking Tools G Street Fabrics Education
Chalk Wheel

This evenly distributes chalk through a small wheel, creating a fine line on your fabric. The chalk wheel can come in various colors, and it's best to use a contrasting color from your fabric for better visibility.

Colored chalk can sometimes be difficult to brush or wash off the fabric, but white chalk is easy to remove.
Clover Chaco pen liner. The chalk is refillable. Choose from gray, yellow, blue, red, and white.
Hera Marker

The Hera marker works without any residue, and it will leave a temporary crease on the fabric and creates an "invisible" line. It also works great as a pressing tool and is popular amongst quilters.

The Hera tool is great when creating straight markers and leaves no ink or chalk traces. However, it is tricky to produce intricate lines and can be difficult to see for some.
Hera marker can score lines on fabric without damaging or breaking fibers or use as a pressing tool.
Heat Erasable Pen

They create fine lines and are easy to apply. Heat erasable pens are best used in areas where they won't be visible on the final garment. The ink will disappear when you apply heat. However, the ink will also reappear in the cold.

The pen in the photo below (Pilot Frixion marker) isn't intended for fabric use but can be nifty to have on hand as a sewing and regular writing tool. But, be warned, Frixion pens can leave a bleached mark over darker fabrics after ironing over.

Brands like Dritz and Clover will have heat erasable pens specifically for fabric use.
Pilot Frixion marker. If you look closely, the forth cross has been ironed on but a faint line remains.
Thread Tacking

This is a technique used in professional and high-end sewing. It's essentially temporary stitches, like basting. They are quick stitches that don't need to be perfect.

Couturiers and suit tailors often use tailor's tacks to mark a fabric to prevent leaving any permanent markings, especially if you're using costly, luxurious textiles. Tacking is best used for delicate, thick, or textured fabrics.

Thread tacking is a great way to utilize old threads that are too brittle for your sewing machine as they can snap immediately through threading. Be sure to use a contrasting color thread for better visibility.
Transfer markings from pattern paper to fabric with tailors tacks or baste your stitching line.
Water-soluble Pencil… or any regular pencil!

This one disappears when washed or dabbed with a moist cloth. It works much like a pencil - sharpen it for crisp, thin lines. The downside is that the solid chalk inside can shatter if dropped.

A regular HB pencil will not disappear but can come in handy in times of desperate need.
Tailors Chalk

This is also a traditional sewing tool, not to be mistaken for chalk used for blackboards.

It's often shaped like a triangle for easy handling and with thin edges to mark crisp lines. It can easily be removed with a wet wipe, wash, or brush, but markings can disappear in excessive handling, so be careful.
A fancy variation of the tailors chalk with a plastic holder that protects your fingers from getting dry. Some will have built-in sharpeners.
Tracing Wheel and Carbon Paper

Another traditional sewing tool. The tracing wheel creates a fine dotted line when pierced through pattern paper. Use it with carbon paper, carbon-side-down, and you can instantly transfer markings from pattern paper to fabric, and it won't damage the fabric or pattern.

Use a contrasting color for the carbon paper with your fabric for visible lines. And if you're keen on dabbling in drafting your pattern, these tools will come in handy too.
Every sewist will prefer one from the other, but when you're starting to sew, it's good to know that there is a variety out there. So, try them out and see which ones you prefer.

TOP TIP: Be sure to test your marker on scrap fabric before using them on your project to prevent unwanted accidents.

Happy Sewing!

Carla
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