what do you all suggest: I write with a fabric textile pen ( says does not wash out) on my labels that I add to my quilts..I really don't think they wash well ( on one quilt it has about disapeared) even tho I do all the proper prep ......do you think a regular sharpie pen is better at holding up during washes? what about those Laundry pens? are they better?

I have no problem with the pens .You could try the laundry pen on a scarp and wash it a few times to try it.

I find the Sharpies tend to bleed - I use a Pigma pen #5 or #8. Some say you can use the gel pens but I haven't tried those.

I also use the pigma pens and heat set them and never a problem washing out

Right on Dodie pigma pens are the best!!!!!!

Another vote here for Pigma pens and heat setting. :D I've heard really bad things about using Sharpies on quilt labels, though I do use them in non-fiber arts.

You could write what you want in a very light pencil stroke and then hand embroider over that. I have done that for some of my quilts and it came out really nice.

I use pigma pens too and find them fantastic!

What is a Pigma pen and where do you but it? Does Office Depot carry them. Thanks Deb :lol:

Pigma pens use pigment based ink instead of dye based ink. They don't bleed through thin paper or fabric and are archival. Here's the maker website: http://www.sakuraofamerica.com/Pen-Archival

I did not see them on the Office Depot website, but you can get them at Joann's, at most quilting shops (local and online), and at art supply stores. I get mine from Dick Blick for the variety of colors and sizes he carries. http://www.dickblick.com/zz207/02/.

pigma pens here too!! Most scrapbooking shops carry them too like Michaels etc .

What does a pigma pen look like?I'll have to find one. On my quilt I'm finishing now, I used a reg. pen lightly, then went over it in hand embroidery

Thanks for the link I now know what to look for :)

Our quilting group has been doing friendship quilts. We do a rail fence with muslin for the sigs. I iron the muslin on freezer paper and then put it on sandpaper and the writing is still scratchy and looks like your a very old person!!
What are we doing wrong? Of course some peoples writing it turns out fine. they seem to have the nack.
suggestions please.

Have a great day.
simple quilter

I print out my label on paper using the fonts, spacing and wording I want. Then I lay my muslin on top of the paper and put the two together in an 8" embroidery hoop to tighten it up. Then I plop the hoop over a 7½" round marble trivet that I have that gives the fabric a solid backing. After that, I just trace what I printed. Works for me. I have found that the slower I go, the better, and the thicker (at least 05) Pigma pens work better. I think the nibs of the finer ones get hung up on the fabric threads and skip.

I learned early on that I wasn't cut out to do them freehand! Maybe you could try signing your name with a Sharpie on a piece of paper and then tracing that onto the muslin?

don't use sharpies on anything that you want to preserve for many years. they are full of acid and will literally eat a hole thru your fabric or paper as they age. use only a pen that says "acid free" or "archivally" safe.