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-   -   Frixion Piliot Pens (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/frixion-piliot-pens-t145856.html)

lukeje 08-17-2011 03:51 PM

Walgreens has them on sell right now...2 for 1.99

Holice 08-17-2011 04:34 PM

I read on one of the quilt sites that a well known quilter had done an exhaustive test on these pens and the conclusion was not good. I'm trying to find the post.

Rose L 08-17-2011 04:38 PM


Originally Posted by fabric_fancy
as long as you wash the quilt after you use the pens they will wash out forever and never return regardless of the temperature

Yes, thank you for saying that. I've been using them for about 6 months and have had wonderful luck with them. So much easier to mark a quilt with than chalk or any of the other markers and pens!!

grayladym 08-17-2011 05:04 PM

I was told today during a guild meeting that the ink markings would reappear if the item was chilled. Put a smaill block in the freezer for about 2 hours (forgot about it until after dinner out), and sure enough, the mark that had disappeared had returned. Magic!!! Another later post says that if the item is washed, it will not come back. Haven't checked that yet, but the chilling does result in return of markings. Now, my question, if I don't store my quilts in the freezer, or plan to get stranded on the interstate during a blizzard, is this really a problem? That's a judgement call. For me, I plan to mark a block in some freehand fashion, press it and have it disappear, and then wash the puppy. Never hurts to be safe.

LisaGibbs 08-17-2011 08:27 PM

Thank you all for letting me know that they are available locally at a better rate. Right now I am stuck at home with a terrible ear problem that I am going on 9 days with and several trips to the doctors and am beginning my own pharmacy in meds and still can't clear it up so I haven't been out seeing what is available. You can bet tomorrow bumping into things (equilibrium is way off) or not I will be checking those back to school specials and doing the marking, ironing, washing, then freezing thing.

Awesome imput--thanks so much.

dgmoby 08-18-2011 02:26 AM


Originally Posted by Holice
I read on one of the quilt sites that a well known quilter had done an exhaustive test on these pens and the conclusion was not good. I'm trying to find the post.

Yup, I read the same thing. She did exhaustive testing, including washing, and it did come back. It didn't leave the fabric, according to her testing. She really did a thorough job.

I'm of the opinion why take a chance? There are much better items that have been around many years for us to use.

whinnytoo 08-18-2011 03:30 AM

I tested them yesterday,,,,,,,,,, the iron did remove all the marks, and the piece of fabric is in the freezer as we speak.

Flying_V_Goddess 08-18-2011 03:56 AM


Originally Posted by grayladym
I was told today during a guild meeting that the ink markings would reappear if the item was chilled. Put a smaill block in the freezer for about 2 hours (forgot about it until after dinner out), and sure enough, the mark that had disappeared had returned. Magic!!! Another later post says that if the item is washed, it will not come back. Haven't checked that yet, but the chilling does result in return of markings. Now, my question, if I don't store my quilts in the freezer, or plan to get stranded on the interstate during a blizzard, is this really a problem? That's a judgement call. For me, I plan to mark a block in some freehand fashion, press it and have it disappear, and then wash the puppy. Never hurts to be safe.

Missouri Star Quilt had a video on the latest items they found at a quilt market and these pens were one of them. They joked that they heard if you live "south of the artic" that the markings could come back. But that the markings should disappear completely after washing.

thepolyparrot 08-18-2011 08:12 AM

I bought all the roller ball and highlighter colors of the Frixion pens.

They DO all return if they're exposed to freezing temperatures (as in the cargo hold of a plane when you ship the quilt) but the inks all wash out with just a light hand washing.

I think that a thorough washing in the washing machine would do even better.

You'd think that the ironing would permanently set the ink, but after washing and air-drying there was no trace of the markings and even freezing did not cause any trace of the ink to re-appear.

Test everything yourself of course. For myself, I've decided that they're just about perfect for marking fabric cuts, applique' placement, measurements for borders and quilting guidelines. I love them and I'm done using pencil, chalk and ceramic markers to the greatest extent possible.

Judi Marvin too 08-18-2011 08:19 AM

Got mine at Walgreen's and have seen them in office supply stores. I have tried to get them to fail, but no sorree! Work every time.......


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