Writing on a quilt
 

I am wondering if the regular Sharpie markers are OK to write on a quilt with. I have a friend that says she never uses a quilt label and just signs the quilt with a Sharpie. She says they haven't washed off so far as she knows. I did buy some fabric pens made by uchida Marvy. Has anyone used them. I really don't want them to wash off.
Thanks!

I would test it on a similar fabric. Then wash it under the faucet with Dawn after it's dried. You want to make sure if anything that it doesn't bleed.

I used a sharpie on a flannel quilt to outline cat faces and when I washed it the lines blurred. I didn't give the quilt as a gift because of it. I recommend only using markers specifically made for fabric :)

I have used Sharpie Laundry Markers with no problem on cotton. But I would always test on a scrap first and wash.

I used a fine point permanent marker to sign one of my quilts. I'll double check tomorrow but to the best of my knowledge there have been no issues. Sorry that I don't recall the brand pen specifically but I did purchase at one of the big box stores.

I just want to repeat what some of the others have said ..... test the sharpie on a piece of the fabric before using it for a label. When I sign a quilt back I'll use a pigma pen.

I used a Micron pen to write a quilt label for a quilt. Done in 2009 & it has been cleaned a couple of times. The label is now so faded I think I should redo it. It's a Delectable Mtns that I did for a client. If it gets passed to 1 of the kids I'd really like the info on it.

Sharpies tend to ( bleed/ fuzz) around the edges, you do not get clear, crisp lines. Also, they can saturate all the way through the quilt. I do know many people who use them. Permanent micron pigma pens are acid free, do not bleed, are fine tipped and used by many artists in all sorts of applications, mediums.

if i don't make an embroidered label, i use a fine pigma pen to sign and date the quilt.

Sharpies WILL wash out, eventually. My kids all danced ballet for over a decade and it was the tradition to have all the cast and guest stars sign the official Tshirts/sweatshirts for each ballet... They always passed around a sharpie to do this. With each washing, those autographs faded until finally they were all gone-- washed away. Very sad!

Always use a fabric pen that says it's permanent and for fabric, and then heat set it with your iron.