Write, erase and rewrite as many times as you like – that's the beauty of Pilot FriXion pens! But just how can ink seemingly be written and then effortlessly removed without trace? Well, with FriXion's exclusive thermo-sensitive ink technology, mistakes can be corrected with ease using the integrated FriXion eraser tip which works in a similar way to a regular pencil eraser but with no mess, no dust, no paper damage. Once erased you can then re-write over using the same pen! I know of a person who filled out some paperwork with a Frixion pen, and gave the papers to someone else. Of course she left them in a hot car, not knowing what could happen. Oh no! It’s blank! So the author re-wrote the paper, not knowing that the freezer would solve this issue. I do think we need to continue to pass the word about the “hazards” of using these pens. My husband just bought a set of these pens and as he was talking about them, I started to think, “Wonder how they would work on quilts?” Now I know. Thanks for the timely information. No, I won’t be using them. But for his use on paper, I am sure they are wonderful. I would love to take Pepper’s class! I remember (and have) her book on marking-I think it may be her first book. She is probably more knowledgable than just about anyone on the subject of markers. My stand on marking is “Don’t. Unless you have to.” Thank you for your comment Susan.

These pens always sounded too good to be true to me so I’ve never bought one nor used one and plan on keeping with that. The vast majority of my sewing is quilt making . Thanks for your thorough research. Thank you for your comments Sylvia. It sounds like you long arm maybe? I know as a domestic sit down quilter I can’t mark with chalk-it will wear off before I’ve quilted it unfortunately. I like the blue wash outs also-it’s my go-to marking method. Whether you're sketching, writing heartfelt stories, or creating playful doodles, this pen's remarkable erasability gently guides you to effortlessly refine and modify your creations as you please. The smooth and seamless writing experience it offers turns every stroke into a delightful adventure, fostering joy and creativity. Caraline.. try the Hair Spray idea that I used earlier in this post… It worked for me and saved a 9 hr embroidery banner! Thank you for the definitive clarification. Now I look forward to seeing the quilts wherein quilt artists intentionally use this pen to use the ghost marks as part of their design.I too blogged about these pens after having a heart-wrenching experience on a show quilt. Thinking to wash out the Frixion ink after extensive domestic machine quilting, I washed the quilt in cold water with regular laundry detergent. The cold water caused all the marks to return. I was in tears. Heat ironing again made the marks disappear, but knowing the ink is still there makes me feel sad about all the hours put into my quilt. Thinking all the marks were heated away, I sent the quilt to MQX in New Hampshire. Later, judges comments included telling me to be sure to remove all quilt markings. I’ll never know if I missed heating those out, or cold temps caused them to return. No Frixion pen will ever touch my quilts again, and I share this caution with students in my beginner quiltmaking and domestic machine quilting classes. Thanks for your thorough confirmation of my own opinion about using Frixion on fabric!

Apricot, Coral pink, Sky blue, Purple & Wine red are the 5 new colours ready to write to make your writing sweet and surprising! Thank you for your comments Ida! I’m glad you got out most of the markings. Please do let me know how it works out for you. Good for you-you’ve got a system you like and are comfortable with-no need to try other methods! Onward.If the pens were not created for use on fabric, what were they created to use for? I have always wondered about this. Hi, thanks so much for the article! This may be a dumb question, but when you say ‘blue wash out’, are you talking about the Mark-be-gone type pens that they sell in all the fabric stores with purple on one end and blue on the other? Hi Mary, thank you for the comment. I am happy for you that all those methods worked! They did not for me-I have several quilts with pencil marks still in. I hope they work on your batiks too. 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!

Hmmm, interesting thought Marsha. Yes, I sure would test a piece before I put more chemicals on it. I would imagine it would strip the sheen from the Radiance I am so fond of. Since Radiance has silk, I’m pretty sure it would strip the sheen off. Perhaps it would do the same to sateen. I’m only guessing. Regular quilting cotton is probably pretty safe. 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. 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. I don’t understand why anyone would use them on fabric to begin with? I mean I don’t make quilts and I think they are absolutely beautiful, but aren’t their fabric markers/ pens/ pencils for that kind of thing? Haven’t tried it with the Frixion pens but the old method of removing ink used to be to soak the area in milk and salt. I think I will try that before pressing with a hot iron which will surely set the ink.

Frixion ball - Fine tip: new fashion colours

Frixion Set2Got is a smart pen holder system made of 100% recycled plastic that can become a fantastic desk organiser. Compatible with many FRIXION Family pens, this set can be used on its own or can be coupled with one or more FriXion Set2Go desk organisers. The new organiser will perfectly suit all desks: at home or at work. Thank you for your research and testing, Jenny! I have been curious about the use of these pens on fabric, but too wary to actually use them. I love the blue washout markers, and Clover chalk markers. These have served me well, so I see know reason to switch; especially after reading about your experiences! Just get and use the crayola washable markers (MUST BE ULTRA CLEAN) and you are good to go. Cheap, definitely wash away, and no ugly heartbeat skipping. I thought these pens were great for regular sewing and then used them to mark crosshairs for machine embroidery positions on t’shirt and found the ghosting on some of them and was confused as to why in the world. Well, now I know! Thank you for this and will definitely use another method for marking! Sure can’t risk my granddaughters going around with cross hairs on their shirts. LOL

I work in a quilt shop. I was first introduced to Frixion pens because they are an amazing tool for drafting patterns. I also learned the hard way that steaming Frixion ink set it. Which makes sense as we are told never to use heat on stains such as grass or blood or it will cause them to set. The last thing I want to do is stream (temperatures in excess of 220 degrees) pigment onto fabric. For this reason I have never told a customer to steam the ink. I tell customers to use a cool iron – nothing hotter than the silk/rayon setting on an iron (120 degrees). This will cause the ink to disappear without setting it. The ink will then wash out with regular laundry detergent on warm wash – just like most ink does. Linda what a horror story and strong testament about what can happen with these pens. I do see a use for them but sure not on show quilts! Yours is the first real story I have heard of a quilt at show having pen marks. I’m about to go to Houston so we’ll see if there are any visible pen marks. Judges must cringe when they see them, knowing that the maker is probably unaware that the marks are there. Thank you so much for sharing Linda and so sorry to hear that tale.I hope the marks don’t reappear! Glad that you have your marking system of choice-chalk definitely comes out easily…except yellow and red I found out! I am a chemist and you did a great job. I wish everybody read your paper and do not use this pens on fabric. Their is so much written about this pens and you cannot wash the ink out the fabric. Wow, never occurred to me to use the ghost marks to my advantage-great idea Catherine! Thank you for commenting. As a side note, the quilts I make are not for competition, they are for snuggling under, the clothing I make is for wearing, and as such are laundered just as anyone would regularly launder an item (I doubt most people would even know where to by Quilt Soap).