Mark with lines that are easy to read at a glance but don’t overwhelm the piece. A fabric marker gives crisp lines for cuts and notches; tailor’s chalk provides a drier option on surfaces where you prefer less marking; water-erasable fabric pens and air-erasable fabric pens create temporary marks that disappear with moisture or over time. Before working directly on the garment, always test on a scrap of the same fabric and check visibility under the actual lighting in which you’ll be sewing or assembling.
Set yourself a simple routine: mark → check → sew/assemble → remove the mark once that section is finished. Avoid marking the entire project at once if you’ll be handling it a lot; references may shift and cause confusion. On curves, mark key points and connect them mentally; on long straight lines, spaced points with a light guide are enough. By combining a fabric marker, tailor’s chalk, a water-erasable fabric pen and an air-erasable fabric pen, you’ll have clear guidance when needed and a clean surface once you’ve finished.
Other accessories and tools you may be interested in
Other tools and accessories to help with your needlework
There are other tools and accessories designed to support preparation, marking, unpicking and finishing in your workflow. A sewing thimble protects your fingers and gives leverage when pushing the needle; the needle threader makes it easier to pass the thread through when changing thicknesses or working with less rigid fibres. The seam ripper allows you to unpick stitches precisely without tearing the fabric. For marking, you can rely on a fabric marker, tailor’s chalk, a water erasable fabric pen and an air erasable fabric pen; and for shaping, the blocking mat helps to set and maintain form after dampening.
These tools complement each other to minimise mistakes and interruptions. With a basic set, you can make clear marks, test adjustments and correct with control before sewing or finishing. The needle threader saves time with tricky threads; the sewing thimble reduces strain in long sessions; the seam ripper lets you correct every stitch with accuracy. For marking, alternating between a fabric marker, tailor’s chalk, a water erasable fabric pen or an air erasable fabric pen gives you versatile temporary marking options; and with a mini iron and a blocking mat, you can set pieces neatly without resorting to complicated solutions.
How to choose other tools and accessories according to your project
Think in terms of tasks. If you hand-sew dense fabrics, a sewing thimble with solid support and a needle threader help you avoid hold-ups when preparing the thread. For corrections, choose a seam ripper with a clean tip and a cap so you can store it without snagging. For marking, use a fabric marker, tailor’s chalk, a water-erasable fabric pen or an air-erasable fabric pen according to the visibility you need and your planned working time, prioritising lines that come off easily and leave no visible residue on the piece.
For light finishing, a mini iron helps to set seams and folds with greater control than a bulky appliance. To present the shape, in general, a blocking mat lets you secure the damp piece until it dries with the desired structure (without going into other accessories). If you’d like to compare formats and availability, you can buy online in Spain at garmonyarns.com and keep what fits your worktable, avoiding extras you won’t use every day.
Another important tool: wooden blocking board for granny squares
Wooden blocking boards for granny squares are an essential tool for giving your crochet pieces shape and uniformity. They allow you to secure each square to the exact size, avoiding variations that make it harder to assemble blankets, cushions or garments. By using a board with guides and pegs, every granny square stays perfectly aligned, resulting in a neat, professional finish without irregularities.
In addition to making your work easier, blocking boards for granny squares help the fabric retain its shape better over time. They are reusable, durable and designed for comfort, even in large-scale projects. With them, you’ll save time during assembly and ensure all your pieces fit together effortlessly, raising the quality of any crochet project.
Magnetic wrist pincushions: another useful tool for your needlework bag
Traditional pincushions are a basic accessory for keeping pins close to hand and working more safely. They let you insert and organise your pins without the risk of losing them on the table or floor, helping you avoid accidents and keeping your sewing space tidy. They come in different shapes and materials, from classic fabric styles to firmer models, adapting to each person’s preferences.
On the other hand, magnetic wrist pincushions offer an even more practical solution: they fasten around the wrist and keep your pins available at all times, without interrupting your work. The magnet holds them securely, making it easy to pick up and release quickly during sewing, embroidery or patchwork projects. They’re ideal for those looking for comfort, speed and smoother progress at every stage.
Temporary marking: fabric marker, chalk and pens
First, define what you need to see: cutting lines, notches or simple reminders. The fabric marker leaves clear, easy-to-spot lines; tailor’s chalk works well on surfaces where you prefer a drier mark; the water-erasable fabric pen and the air-erasable fabric pen provide temporary markings that disappear with moisture or over time. The idea is to mark just enough to guide you and remove it effortlessly when you move on to sewing or finishing, avoiding overloading the fabric surface.
For longer workflows, set up a small routine: mark before cutting, check visibility under different lighting, and remove markings as soon as you’ve sewn the section. If you alternate between fabrics, keep a fabric marker, tailor’s chalk, a water-erasable fabric pen and an air-erasable fabric pen at hand so you have multiple temporary marking options without relying on a single tool. Less improvisation = fewer corrections. This approach keeps the project easy to read and speeds up decision-making between steps.
