Hairspray!! (yes, a good musical too) It worked - on all the marks, even the darkest. Didn't even blot (MFord, I didn't see your note until just now) I simply sprayed it on, waited about 2 minutes, then rinsed. It definitely took the lightest of the marks out, even before rinsing I could not see them any longer. There were a few that I didn't think were going to come out because I could still see them after the 2 minutes, but when I rinsed the fabric they disappeared completely. I am so happy!

The marks could have been ball point ink then, as hairspray does take that out. Thank goodness you didn't have to replace the block.

They were definitely the "water soluble" blue marker frequently used to mark quilts. I think they had been ironed over, and that may account for the difficulty in removing them. I'm just thrilled to have found a solution.

I had completely forgotten about the hairspray trick. Thanks for letting us know.

Hairspray is my 'go to' remedy for blue marks! I have had really good success with it! Happy you found something that worked!

A lot of times people forget by the time they get to the end of the quilt, that it needs to be washed in plain water, no detergent or soap the first time. I've been using them for at least 30 years, never had a problem yet.

Kristakz, I look forward to seeing what you are working on!

I have used hydrogen peroxide ( 2 tablespoons) water (1 tablespoon) and a couple drops of Dawn dish detergent. Gently work over the area with a clean toothbrush. Let it dry and see if the marks are gone.

I had a client that many years ago had made a quilt top for me and she had marked it with a Blue be gone marker and then PRESSED the quilt. I explained to her the mistake she made and then soaked it overnight in a product I love for washing linens called Linen Wash by Le Blanc in FL. I was amazed that the Blue be gone was absolutely gone. Since yours has been marked for a number of years, I am not sure if the product will work. Have you thought about applique something like a doily that will cover the markings if they don't come out?? Good Luck.

Before retiring I was a nurse and hairspray was how we got all the ink stains out of our uniforms and jackets--that was before every room got a computer.

Hair stay will remove the ink from pens with a little elbow grease and patience.