BETTY62

I want to make a memory quilt with hand written comments using a permanent marker. What will I need to do to keep the ink from fading when the quilt is washed ? Is there a product I can purchase that will help prevent the ink from fading? If so, what is it called and where can I purchase it? Should I iron the quilt every time it is washed to set the ink? Thanks for your help.

Quiltah Mama

I found an article online written by quilting digest that reviewed multiple archival pens, that said Pentel Arts Gel Roller for fabric stood up the best to fading after multiple washings. Many quilters use micron and pigma pens, including myself, and have had great luck with them. I have not used a Pentel pen, so I cannot comment on it specifically, maybe someone else on here has that can chime in. I do always heat set the quilt after all writing is done. The article I read gave great instructions on how to set the ink of the Pentel pen. Sorry, I would post a link, but am unable to copy and paste on my tablet. If you Google, quilting digest, which permanent marker is best for quilts, the article should come up. Hope this helps.

donna13350

Sharpie makes a marker called "extreme"..I have found it to be quite permanent om outdoor plant labels, so it must have some UV resistance in it. I would try one of them on a scrap, and keep tossing it in loads of wash..do that with any marker and you'll soon see what holds up and what doesn't, but I would start with a sharpie extreme.

https://www.sharpie.com/markers/spec...tremeBlackFine

Still Sew N

I made my daughter a signature quilt for her wedding and after much research, I used these pens that I found on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I even contacted the company before my purchase to explain how the pens would be used to make sure they would work. I was assured that they would. I washed the muslin first and after all the signature blocks were gathered, I ironed all the signature squares. After the quilt was done, I washed and dried the quilt and had no fading or smearing. I can't give a test of time because her wedding was last June. But she treasures that quilt and so I don't see it being washed and dried so much in it's lifetime. The pens come with a fine tip and and a thick tip so I taped over the cap end on thick end so it would not get used. Hope this helps you a bit.

Onebyone

I love Pentel Arts Gel Roller Fabric pen. I bought a box of 12 from Amazon as they are hard to find in stores. They write smooth, do not blur or spread out on the fabric. I have not had one mark fade, my grandson drew on a dish towel and that towel has been washed in hot water and bleached a lot and the drawing is still very much there. My DH happened to write with it on paper and said that is one good pen.
Here is how the pen is listed at Amazon: Best buy is package of two or box of 12.

Pentel Arts Gel Roller for Fabric, 1.0mm Bold Lines, Permanent, Black Ink, Pack of 2 (BN15BP2A)