Warning concerning Frixion Pens
 

Just a word of warning to anyone using Frixion pens....

I marked a batik baby quilt with some designs for machine quilting. I injured my hand and had to take a few days off - when I resumed work on the baby quilt, I decided to change the design. I ironed the areas to remove the designs and the ink disappeared ..BUT.......the ink appears to have bleached the lines into the batik. They are noticeable, a bit faint but I can definitely see them. I don't know if it's because I used batiks (I prewashed!!), the lines were left on the fabric for a few days or if my pens have old ink - not sure why. Please be warned.:(

Thank you for the heads up

Thanks for the warning. Another issue with these pens. With the problems of re-appearing and now what you have discovered, it appears these pens don't belong in the sewing room. Not mine anyway.

I'm leery of them but I have also heard that once the quilt has been totally washed it does wash out the chemicals, so hopefully that might work for you.

Yes, you do have to be careful on dark fabric because it seems to "bleach" a line. I use my Frixion pens mostly for small sewing projects. I have used them on light fabrics with no problems. Sorry to hear your batiks have lines.:(

my understanding is if you take water to those lines, they'll go away & your fabric will look normal. I have heard that from a quilt store owner and a friend who also uses them...

So sorry you had this problem. I don't think I'll be using these pens in my sewing room either. I'm a computerized longarm quilter so don't use pens often anyway.

Would starching before you mark work I wonder, no good in your case but may be of use to others. I use them a lot when peicing but not used them for marking quilting designs.

The reason I say starch before you mark is that this works with normal marking sol pens. The ink sits on top of the starch and doesn't touch the fabric so washes out with a Q-tip dipped in water.
Jenny

Thanks for posting this. I tried out those pens on some scrap and decided not to take a chance with them... For dark batiks and other medium to dark fabrics I LOVE using these Miracle Markers http://miraclechalk.com/miracle_markers.htm They disappear totally when you hover over them with a steam iron!

Does the Miracle Chalk hold up to handquilting - rubbing your hand over the fabric for lots of hours on end without rubbing off?

I am finishing off a dark quilt - will have to remember to take a scrap of the dark fabric - mark w/ frixion to get the "white" line and then throw it in the wash to see if it disappears again. My guess is yes, because I do know that the frixion washes out because I've seen that before.

If washing the quilt returns the color to the quilt, then for me, it is no longer an issue. I do have the Fons & Porter white pencil that I use. It's ok - but still love the ease of the Frixion better.

Good idea...I'll give it a try next time - thanks!! - roberta

I will give these a try as well - thanks! - roberta

quilt is in the wash
 

I'll see what happens - it's washing right now with 5 color catchers (even though I prewashed with 5 color catchers). I'll post what I see when it's dry. Thanks everyone for the feedback!!
--bob1414 - roberta

I had the faint lines on dark fabric when I used the pens too. I washed the quilt and the lines disappeared. I love these pens and will continue to use them. They are non toxic so I would think that would be no harm at all to fabric.

It washes out.

I use frixion pens and have had no trouble but I use them on light fabric that I trace on a light box then I free motion embroidery but thanks for the warning I will be careful on the darker fabric let us know if washing helps

I'll stick with my Sewline mechanical pencils, thank you.

I used the Clover white marking pen to mark a grid on my latest quilt. It disappears with washing or ironing. I'm still quilting, and so far all the marks I put on the quilt are still there. I recommend it for dark fabrics.

It's a little freaky because it takes a few seconds to develop, but once it's there, it lasts until it's quilted. I haven't washed the quilt yet, but I can barely see the lines where I've already quilted.

Janet

When using Frixion pens - be warned. There is NOTHING that will remove the ink. Yes, it becomes transparent when it is ironed but when the marked fabric is exposed to extreme cold, (such as during shipping and being stored in a warehouse) - the marks will reappear. I made a special label with instructions advising the owner of the quilt to use a hot iron to remove any marks that will reappear from exposure to cold.

I used a frixion pen to mark a tshirt I was going to embroider. It left white marks on the shirt after ironing. They disappeared when I washed it. Good luck.

The ink does wash out because I stuck a scrappy quilt in the freezer after it was washed and dried (lots of different fabric colors) no marks showed up anywhere and I used different color pens all over that quilt.

Washing the quilt will remove the ink lines. Be warned - don't mark your quilt, put it in the car while traveling and leave it in there for the sun to warm the car up - your lines will also disappear...LOL!!!! Of course that would not be from experience...

ducking before lightening strikes me down for lying. LOL!!

I have heard that the Frixion Pens should never be used on batik fabric. Have used on others, mainly in seam allowance and have had no problems.

The bleached lines went away in the washing and drying. I have now put the quilt in my garage - maybe 45-50F. I'll see if the lines come back and I'll make another post on this board. Thanks for the heads-up.

This is because ironing does not remove the pen, it makes it appear to have disapeared...it will come back if you put the item in the freezer for awhile.
I think it washes out...not sure, don't use them...someone on one of the groups/boards I am on mentioned how to remove. I think they showed pics holding the sample to the light, and you could see where the pen had marked..like a shadow...so was still there, just not visible on the surface.

I heard that you are not suppose to use the Frixion pens on batiks. I have used them on my cotton fabric and so far have not had a problem. Also there are Frixion pens that are " highlighters" and not suppose to use those on batiks either. I have not tried those kind.

What grannie cheechee said above is true. The lines reappear when the quilt is cold but are removed again when you go over them with a warm iron. I had not heard what 117 becca said; however, I will try to remember that one.

Do you think it would be possible to touch-up the light lines with a thin fabric dye marker? that might save your project. Sorry I don't have a brand name, but have seen them at a retail store. Perhaps it was Michaels or Hobby Lobby. I feel your pain.

Thank you for the info.

thank you for the post i have a few of these pins but have not used them yet

Thanks for the info.......

Update on Frixion Pens ---
 

Update Monday, 19 November, 2012

The quilt has been washed with 5 color catchers (I prewashed batik with 5 color catchers as well) and I didn't see the lines. I dried the quilt in the dryer - again didn't see any lines. I left the quilt in the garage for 24 hours and I do not see the lines. Since our weather here in South Dakota is warmer than normal, I'm not sure about the lines showing again in extreme cold - I don't have room in my freezer in the garage - it's full of spaghetti sauce, homemade soup, butter and other things! So, I'll give the quilt to the intended recipient and hope for the best. Thanks to everyone for your tips - I hope these posts will help others! - roberta