Sharpie Warning
 

I've been making a Christmas tree quilt that I foundation pieced. I used a Sharpie to draw the lines on the foundation. I figured Sharpies are permanent so once it dried it wouldn't be a problem. I had completed the top and was pressing it today. I had trouble getting one part to lay flat so I sprayed it with a bit of Best Press. The Sharpie bled thru from the back when I did that and made a mess of the white background. I ended up having to take apart 3 sections of the piecing and put new white fabric in and then resew them together which took most of today. Don't ever believe that Sharpies are permanent even though that's what the pen says

Yes, very painful.

I'm wondering if something in the Best Press (maybe alcohol of some sort) didn't cause the sharpie to bleed.

Sharpies and alcohol can be used to make some fun drawings like this

https://lifestyleforreallife.com/201...rpies-alcohol/

comments anyone?

I have not idea why it bled. I just wanted to warn people to be careful of this.

One time my young son got a hold of a Sharpe and doodles on the wall. Got it off with WD 40. My guess is the Best Press contains alcohol or another solvent.

I use the pens that disappear with heat, air and/or water but still only put them on the backside just in case they decide to show up again in cold temps or whatever else is their excuse. Even scared to use the chalk pens though I see Jamie Wallen using them all the time to mark his quilts before stitching. Rather be safe than sorry. So sorry this happened to you.

I am so sorry you had to experience that. I have gone to the pens that disappear with heat. That might be a better option especially for the back of something like this.

Thank you so much for sharing this information. I was using the Crayola Ultra washable markers to mark my fabric and all was well until I ironed the marker with steam before I removed it - now I have a brown spot in the middle of an 8 point star. It's good to know this type of information!

So sorry this happened to you, Patrice. At least you discovered the issue before you completed the project! :(

I agree, better safe than sorry. Snooze, you must be unaware of the fact that the manufacturer has said they do not recommend those pens for use on fabric?

I've put fabric with Sharpie on it through the wash and it faded greatly. I don't think there is alcohol or any other solvents in Best Press (other than water, which is nature's most common solvent); according to the ingredient list on the material safety data sheet for Best Press, it's starch, fragrance, and surfactants (helps the liquid absorb into the fabric better).

I prefer to use either pencil or products that are designed specifically for use on fabric.