Input please on Pilot Frixion gel pens for marking
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: So Plymouth, NY
Posts: 2,502
Input please on Pilot Frixion gel pens for marking
Today at my LQS, I was told the above are fantastic to mark your tops for quilting. The LQS carries them but believe you could find them in any office supply store. You can mark you fabric, then either erase or what was suggested is to take a hot iron to the marking. I know, completely different than anything we've been told in the past. The iron removes the marking and it only comes back if the fabric is so cold it could freeze. I bought a couple but I'm a bit skeptical. Will fool around a little on some scrap.
Anyone else heard of or used these pens? Thanks.
Anyone else heard of or used these pens? Thanks.
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,827
They're great pens!
However, be aware that while the hot iron removes the ink ... sometimes there is a bleached line on the fabric (both dark and light fabrics) as a result. TEST it as you would use it ... with the identical fabrics and treatments, and make your decisions.
I love the ones I have, and most of the time, I use them on the back side to mark fabric, so the bleaching isn't really a concern for me.
And yes, they are the same pens as you can buy at Staples. I bought a pack with several different colours, for a lot less than the individual pricing would have been at the LQS.
However, be aware that while the hot iron removes the ink ... sometimes there is a bleached line on the fabric (both dark and light fabrics) as a result. TEST it as you would use it ... with the identical fabrics and treatments, and make your decisions.
I love the ones I have, and most of the time, I use them on the back side to mark fabric, so the bleaching isn't really a concern for me.
And yes, they are the same pens as you can buy at Staples. I bought a pack with several different colours, for a lot less than the individual pricing would have been at the LQS.
#4
Love them, too. I've been told that once the fabric is washed and dried that the lines won't reappear in the freezer (LOL). Better price buying multiples at Staples than LQS. I really like the blue one.
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 159
I use these pens all the time and love them--so far have not noticed any bleached out lines and use them on dark fabric all the time. And can't see the black ones on light fabric after using the iron on them. And yes, they are much cheaper at Staples or other office supply stores. So far have not seen them at Walmart tho.
#6
I also use the pens and love how easy it is to iron off the marks....I have seen the lines left on darker fabrics, but don't think it is bleaching the fabric as it does wash out....always test fabrics with the pens to make sure there are no issues....I found them at the LQS in lots of colors, but would love for them to make one in white or at least something that shows on black/dk. brown fabrics.....am quite sure they never imagined their pens being used to mark quilts!
#8
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,559
There have been many, many threads here about them, you could do a search to investigate whats been said in the past. I won't use them. My concern is what remains in the fabric even after you "iron" the ink out. I prefer to use pens specifically designed for marking fabric.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
I think these are great pens. I use them in quilting, embroidery and appliqueing. I know there has been some issues with the designs coming back. My opinion is that if it gets that cold I'm not caring about a few marks on my quilt and neither will anyone else. I also have heard about them leaving a line on Batiks so I'd probably be more careful there. I won't quilt using them and normally go to Office Max to get them; there are so many colors which really helps in the quilting field.
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