Pilot Pen Frixion Erasable Rollerball Pen - Assorted Colours (Pack of 4)

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Hi Lizzie; I should write a post on the blue wash outs too! I have had some of the problems you described in my own quilts and in each case it was either 10 years ago when the formulations were different, failure to wash out coorrectly or heat setting. One student’s cat heat set her marks by laying on it for a nap! I heat set one by leaving it in my car on a hot summer day. Many quilters do not understand that you must wash the marks out, not spray them out. And you cannot use detergent on that first wash. I use them with success if I wash the marks out porperly, am careful to no heat set the marks in any way and use Dritz or Clover markers (others may be good too, those are just the ones I use as I’m afraid to use other brands!). That’s truly not so. The gel/thermo inks are a chemical composition that will not wash out by regular laundry (told by manufacturer). Yes, Ange, great idea! Sometimes you need a real line though. For instance, if I do the orange peel/sashiko looking grid thing, I need a line. I tried the dots and my mind just needed more. But for many applications the dots would work.

I think you’ve written the definitive post on this topic! It really seals the deal for me on the Frixion pens for use on fabric. Thank you for taking the time to do some investigative work!Whilst many of the blue pens have improved, I would still be anxious about using them as a result of the problems I have come across, even though thousands of quilters and embroiderers love them. I might share that I used the blue marking pens on a denim-like material, and the it “bleached out” the color. I had drawn lines which I was going to embroider and changed my mind. The blue color of the marker came out, but so did some of the color of the fabric. You could see EVERY line–even the ones I didn’t want. They showed up as a faded color of the fabric I was using–like it had taken some of the color out. I’m glad they work well for you Joanne because they make great lines. I have had ghost marks stay wash after wash so I think it depends on the fabric used. And you are so right, if you quilt on the line you will not see the ghost marks. I think finding the right marking tool is a personal journey. I too hate anything that is going to wipe off before I quilt my line-who wants to mark twice? But others love the chalk because it dependably comes off. I’m glad you have found a good way to use them Sibylle. Although most people know the ink system as thermo-sensitive ink, its official name is Metamo ink and unlike a regular pen ink, the ink in your Pilot Frixion pen has a number of microcapsules in it that contain three different substances. These are leuco dye, color developer, and a temperature regulator with each being an essential part of how your Frixion pens ink can be erased.

Thanks for the response. I didn’t know about the corn base, but now understand why bugs would love it :) I got this pen in Sweden, and the written information said it is made to use on fabric – so no I know that it is not and I will be careful when using it. Thanks a lot for your research! Thank you for this article. We have been selling these pens in our quilt store. We will be rethinking that decision. So while the ability to erase is nice, it’s not really always a good idea to use the pens, depending on what you intend to do with that piece of paper!TRY EITHER ALCOHOL OR HAIRSPRAY, BOTH WILL WORK BUT WHEN YOU APPLY IN IT MAKES THE INK SPREAD AND LOOKS PRETTY SCARY. NEXT APPLY DAWN OR JUST WASH AS USUAL AND IT WILL COME RIGHT OUT. Thank you for your note Rosemary! I love how we can all connect and help each other. I’m so glad that your embroidery was not ruined! Mida that’s great. I do think they have their place in the sewing and quilting world, we just have to understand their limitations. Thank you for commenting! I just recently learned that BUGS LOVE STARCH, so if your cutting bias pieces or ?? don’t matter.. IF you starch your fabric and don’t use all of it and you store it WITH THE STARCH ON IT. I just read that bugs love starch. so you would have to wash your left-over fabric :( Hi Joan. Test on a sample first! The manufacturer’s recommendations are for this specific pen and its unique chemistry. I hope all comes out completely.