I have not found a pen/marker/ that is permanent if the label is washed a lot. I've tried them all. Now I hand embroider my labels or have one of the machine embroiderers from my guild make me one if the quilt won't be used as a utility quilt.

I put a couple of sheets of ordinary writing paper behind then tape it down with masking tape and use pigma pens to write with, seems to work ok and saves me getting the iron out and the freezer paper!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the very fine sand paper and 08 pigma pen. Be sure to set the ink with a hot iron.

Oh thanks, going to try this.

I was told that gel pens are permanent, although I have not tried them. You can trace lines onto the paper side of your freezer paper and then iron your fabric to the plastic side and you can see the lines enough to make straight lines of writing on your label.

I was also given a great idea for writing on labels. First spray starch on the label and press…this seems to help keep the writing from bleeding.

I put HeatNBond on the back and then turn the edges under by hand so the label will be permanent.

I experimented with Pigma Pen on muslin and on test fabric, and washed it and dried it just a couple times, and it did fade. readable but not so good.
I am now practicing hand embroidery.

BellaBoo what stitches do you use for the letters? Backstitch? Stem-stitch? I am practicing stem-stitch. Curves look funny!

I embroider it in if I do one (I'm lazy girl)

Get a very fine sandpaper and put your pressed and starched fabric on that before you write with a very sharp, water proof marker. You may have to practice some- you CAN'T pause and decide what else you're going to write, because even a slight pause will make the marker bleed. Keep going SMOOTHLY . If you write it out first, you can get the spacing right and the way the words flow, so you'll have more success with the real label.