FriXion Pens
 

From what I've read, many of you use the FriXion pens to mark your quilt tops. I was going to try to buy some online, and gosh, there seem to be several kinds of FriXion pens. I want to make certain I get the right ones, the ones that erase with heat, before I buy, so any advice will be appreciated! Also, is there any color that does not come out as well? (My hindsight is 20/20 - foresight, not so much! Better be safe than sorry!) As always, thanks for your help!

i generally use the black one....i did use blue 'cuz i had it & no problems...but reds always scare me (just cuz ;) )

The one i use - w/ the eraser on it (but i never use the eraser..)

some have said that even though the ink seemed to come off when they erased it, later on they could see a faint light mark on the fabric that would not come out. The ink does not actually come off when you erase it-since it says it comes back in the cold, that means something is still there on the fabric. I would be careful, personally. Lots of people use them though, and I've seen them at quilt shops.

I love these pens, as I can get a sharp line to follow. I also make 'position notes' on blocks. I have had no problems with the navy blue and black pens, but the purple and red ones do leave a faint echo until they're washed. As far as finding the 'right' ones, these are advertised as erasable ink when used on paper.

I have had an experience with the faint line that stayed on a border of a finished quilt so now when I use them I make sure that where I mark will be hidden in the seam or else I will use a chalk pencil or regular fine tip retractable pencil.

The faint line that remains after ironing will fade with washing....after a couple washes it was gone.....I have only used the black.....if I am marking something that will be washed I prefer the washable markers as they are much cheaper (Crazyart at Walmart now $.50 for pack of 8 different colors) and they wash out great.....but always test whatever marking system you use on every fabric as you may find one marker that will not wash out.

I have a multi-colored pack and I like them all! I also really like the highlighters when I am using a more delicate fabric- the ball point pens tear up organza, so a highlighter is better.

I have had no problem washing them out- the faint white line disappears.

I have never seen a marker with a fine enough line. . .what am I missing?

I love them and have never had any problems. I have used all the colors.

That's one of the joys of Frixions ... the fine line ability!

I only used them on the back so I didn't have to worry if the lines came back. I use the washable markers on the front and have never had a problem. Even with the one I let sit for a year.

i tested my pen by marking on 2 pcs of scrap i ironed 1 off and washed other off than ironed put both in freezer. the 1 I washed didn't come back

Might depend what you are marking for. For me, when using the highlighters- I either use them to mark a space, and thus use the inside of the line or if I'm marking my quilting (rare) I then position it to sew in the middle of the line. So thickness of the marker is irrelevant.

But the ball point pens that I use on cotton are thin. Much thinner than the chalk I typically use.

i tested my pen by marking on 2 pcs of scrap i ironed 1 off and washed other off than ironed put both in freezer. the 1 I washed didn't come back. so the answer is dont iron your blocks until you've rinsed block just under running water

As always, y'all are so helpful! Thank you!

That's weird- I've always ironed mine off, and then washed them and the lines never come back. No need to wash first then iron, I don't think.

(And why are people putting their quilts in the freezer! It's really unlikely situation that your quilt will be so cold. Although- the one that sits in the back of my car in the winter in probably gets colder than the freezer, but the lines have never re-appeared.)

The ink washes out. The ink is non toxic and archival. I use them a lot.

Sorry folks, I just want to make sure I understand, so you are saying that the Frixion pens are good to use? I got some at a quilt show and have been afraid after reading some posts elsewhere on the board. And for those that say they use washable markers (WalMart), what is the brand? Thanks for your patience, I'm having a brain drain.

That alone is a good reason for me not to use them. I prefer to press my seams as I go and I certainly don't want to rinse every block and wait for it to dry (plus I don't always prewash and don't want partial shrinking). Even if I used it for quilting only, I always press my binding out before folding it over so that would be too much trouble for me to avoid pressing on marks.

My point when I talk about why I don't use these pens is NOT that I'm going to be putting them in the freezer. It's that there is obviously some sort of substance still in the fabric if the lines come back at a certain temperature!

I found these pens several years ago at a show, and did research on them back then. Pilot manufacturers them, so I contacted their customer service and at that time, they were NOT made with archival ink. So I made the decision to stick with products that are specifically made for marking - and disappearing from - fabrics. I think the Frixxion pens were a happy accident for Pilot, and now that they see a secondary use for them, they're happy to market them to quilters.

But they don't if you wash them. Once you wash with detergent, the lines are permanently gone; at least in every case I've used them.

Whether or not archival is important to people is up to them. No, they are not archival quality, and Pilot doesn't say they are. That said- I know a number of well-sold art quilters who use SHARPIES on their quilts (non-removable, obviously). Me personally, it will be a happy accident if my quilt makes it to 50-100 years old, so I don't worry about the archival quality, especially since I wash it out.

There are plenty of places where the temps get to freezing and I'm sure I'd have a quilt with me. It would be interesting to see the marking lines reappear as the quilt gets colder. But I have also done tests and after ironing and washing, the lines did not come back. Would I use them on an heirloom project? Most likely not - but on utility quilts, they should work just fine.

http://www.thimblelady.com/iron-off-markers-2/ These are the ones I use and love them. The marks have always completely removed with the iron. I have used red/purple/black and no problem.

Just a little side information here. After quilting a full size that had been marked with frixion pens I washed it in cold water. The marks did not come out. The water temp reacted just as a freezer would I suppose. When I put it in the dryer they were gone. Next one I will try warm water just to see what happens. Whatever the case I'm very happy with them and have never had a bad result. I iron the marks away when I use them for embroidery patterns.

I use the CrazyArt brand.....found some at Walmart for 50 cents (pack of 8 I think)....Crayola washable works too....just be sure to test on all fabrics first.

Evelyn - those ARE the Frixion pens!!!!


I don't erase the marks because it can stretch my fabric. I always use an iron and the marks disappear. I like it when i'm marking a quilt and I decide to change my mind on whatever motif I "thought" might work.

I just mark the quilt, iron to erase the marks and then wash when I am finished. No problems - and i absolutely LOVE this...

I purchased mine at walmart. They are much less expensive than buying at the quilt shop. They are "pilot ball frixion" Funny thing is several years ago I had a temp employee that used them to do paperwork at our job. Then when I started quilting I saw them in a quilt shop. Nothing against buying things from quilt shops, but this time of year, you can get 3-4 in a package in the school supply area for a much cheaper price. I sometimes put them in my swap partners package for the monthly secret pal swap here on the board.

i found them at the teacher supply store last year. I had money to spend at the end of the year. I knew i was changing teaching assignments this year and didn't know what to buy - I bought frixion pens for me!!! Shhhh!!! don't tell the district!!! ;)

I would advise to use with caution. There are some quilt notions dealer that have quit carrying the pens. I know some professionals who will not use them. Some who did use/carry them and now won't. It seems the marking reappear if the quilts get cold. I would rather err in the direction of caution. Who knows what these chemicals will do down the years?

I use Frixon pens all the time for marking and never had a problem. They iron out and then when I wash the quilt I figure any left over residue comes out. I even use them on parchment paper if I'm tracing a quilt pattern I'm going to sew over and tear away. That way if any ink comes off onto the fabric I know it will wash away. I always put Frixon pens on my Christmas list. It makes a good inexpensive gift for my kids to buy me. It works too because I always get Frixon pens for Christmas.

You will get many opinions on this subject. I only use the frixion pin where I will be cutting or sewing so I really don't worry about whether or not it will come back in the cold. I use all colors have not had trouble with any of them.

I use the black or blue pens with back-basting applique, as well as the white one from Clover. No problems so far.

Just watch out when you buy that you are getting the pens and not the highlighters. I love the pens and use them all the time. Just this week I used a black pen to mark rows and columns on blocks as I assembled a large quilt....so nice not to have little stickers falling off! BTW, I do like the highlighters a lot. They are erasable and don't seem to dry out like other highlighters. I use them to mark up my books and patterns, highlighting cutting directions.

I use them and think they are great.

I sent Pilot an email asking is the Frixion pens were archival. This was the reply:
[h=4]All Pilot Gel Ink Pens, Ball Point Pens and Markers are Acid-free and Archival safe, meaning their inks do not contain any acidic chemicals that may speed the deterioration process of photos and documents. Acid-free / Archival safe inks contain pH levels of 7.0 or greater meaning they’re non-acidic.[/h]

Who knows Skittl, maybe people are storing their quilts in the freezer. lol I have often wondered why the fascination with the mark coming back if put in the freezer. What difference does it make if it does? Personally, if I am using a quilt and it's cold enough for the markings to show up, I don't think that I'm going to stop using the quilt. lol

I figure if the mark comes back in the freezer, it means *something* is still on the fabric. Whether or not you can see it, it's there. And if it's there, it could degrade the fabric or someday, come back even without the freezer.

Some say the wash takes it out and that's fine but for me, I prefer to use something like chalk that I know comes out 100%.

I use Pilot Frixon ball pens that I got at Amazon. They do not necessarily say they disappear with iron - they disappear with frixon. You can literally rub it away with a cold iron or your finger if you are not careful. I use all colors depending on the color of fabric I am using. I think they are fantastic.

I love using my Frixon marking pen. I use Best Press spray starch and the marks are not visible afterwards. As for temp changes, it has been said a quilter mailed a quilt to a quilt show and it arrived with the marks showing, presumably after being exposed to an uncontrolled climate. So far, my quilts will not go to a show but I will mention to the recipient the caveat in regards to the markings. So, I would recommend them with a caveat of the temp sensitivity.

I love mine! One use that is my favorite is to number rows before assembly. Makes joining go much quicker and less chance of mistakes. (Twister is one example of necessary marking!) I just have to remember not to use them in areas where I have to iron. Have ironed off critical markings! Duh!