I'm wondering if anyone else out there has used the Frixion Pens by Pilot to draw on their fabric to help them machine quilt? I used it on one block, machine quilted and ironed on top of it. The mark on the block did disappear. Does the mark by the pen ever come back? If this works it is the best invention ever.

Apparently if you put it in the freezer the marks WILL come back. I've used them to mark seam allowances and they're wonderful.

I would think that as long as the chemicals making up the ink of these pens is still on/in the fabric, there is a big chance that, one day, they will return to a visable state. If I were to use the pen, I would be sure to wash it thoroughly when completed.

You would think that by ironing it, the ink would be heat set. I'm not a fan of using any kind of pen on quilts. Several of the inmates were using ballpoint pens to mark around their templates & spilled something on the quilt. When they went to try to wash out the liquid, the pen bled all over, creating a giant mess. They have been ordered not to use pens to make a quilt!

I've been using Crayola washable markers to draw quilting designs and have been very pleased with them. They completely disappear when the quilt is washed.

For darker fabrics I use a mechanical chalk pencil.

The Crayola markers are such a great idea. Thanks--I'll try them next.

I love the frixion pens.

I use them too.

Sewline ceramic pencil leads come in five colors (black, white, pink, yellow, green) so they can be used on pretty much any color fabric. They erase easily and are also water soluable, but don't fade while you're quilting. Love 'em!

I read a blog post about them and the conclusion was that even though it has to be cold for them to show up, the mark IS still on the fabric, just invisible. And if there's something there it might degrade the fabric over time. I still use my 10+ year old white chaco liner but it does fade while sewing. I'll have to check out the sewline ceramic pencils.

Are you FM or hand quilting using the designs you mark on the quilt?