I think they do serve a purpose.Another super informative post, thanks for sharing your findings.Married with 4 children and 2 granddaughters. You can still see some ghosting but it’s not quite as noticeable as the unwashed and unstarched sample.Next we have the washed and unstarched sample.

I will continue to use them for certain techniques such as drawing stitching lines for HST’s, etc. They are filled with so much information. The Chaco pink and blue colors are great, but the white is useless, it doesn’t work at all. This seems like the Holy Grail of marking methods for us quilters. With a very heavy heart, I am forced to say: "This pen sucks." I learned a lot from your post and always appreciate the work that you put in to deliver this information. Wow - that is a great find Jeremy!

And You can also remove the eraser with a hard tug using the same pliers.

FREE Delivery on your first order of items shipped by Amazon. It showed three Eskimo women hanging their sheets on a clothes line. I have heard a lot about “ghosting” with the Frixion pens but it helps knowing how to prep your fabric to get the least amount. I did a very simple test on my firxon pens by putting them in the freezer after I washed my test samples, but you did a more extensive test! I guess it might depend on the type of paper. I will still use them but only on projects that won’t show the marks. I cannot totally agree on this one. I use a blue water soluble or purple air soluble pen for that!

Also, these pens have not been around long enough to know how they will affect the fabric over time. All I can 'write' are invisible inks. I like everything about it. Dry with iron and the white ghost mark should disappear. Thanks for all your research!I’ve had the same ghosting with Frixion pens. It's annoying to have to take the cap off to erase. Sometimes when I think pens are running out I try a fresh page at the back of my notebook and realize it's the well-worn page I was writing on. This pen works well for that too.

Hugs, HThanks, Julie, for a very informative post. Thanks for all your info and work!! Will they cause deterioration after 50 years? Fantastic information.

This seems to be a common problem with these pens – they can dry out quickly (in my experience).Next, I took each sample to my wool pressing mat and ironed the marked fabric using a cotton setting, no steam.

The only time I found I had trouble with it washing out was when I stitched over the same line a few times.Fantastic comprehensive article! I have even been known to iron the paper so that is it “blank” and I can use it again.

The hera and I are not friends. You have confirmed what I thought was the case with these pens. My favorite hack (and favorite carry pen) is a Zebra f701 with the f402 click assembly mod (replaces the plastic part from the f701 with the all metal of the f402.) I would iron the marks off, wash the sample in the machine, then put the sample in the freezer. We should always test our marking tools!Great article. I’ve only used them a few times because they came in the Sew Sampler box. I like using them to mark diagonal lines for half-square triangles and stitch and flip techniques.
Thanks Julie! I quilted a sample that was unwashed and unstarched, so there was definitely a ghost there, but it’s very hard to see it.

I also use Sewline chalk pens; the white is great for use on dark fabrics and is erases easily. With my luck, I would have ruined a whole quilt!Although I have other marking tools, my favorites are the disappearing blue pens, and Clover chalk wheels. I teach from a document camera, so a pencil often isn't dark enough, but I'm prone to occasional mistakes so I use a pen. The lines are darker on my first sample. Find a Pilot FRIXION Ball Erasable Gel Pens, 0.7mm, Assorted, 6 Pack at Staples.ca. Thanks so much for the suggestions. I do think it is a combination of the textured paper and how hard I was erasing. How glad I am! Personally, if I’m putting that much work into something, I’m not going to ruin it or even RISK ruining it when I have options.Thanks for the great information! However, I have read that some textured paper could make the erasing harder. This hack, if done with all new parts, will run you about $20 but is a fun project that is pretty inexpensive. Nevertheless, I am doing a google search to find out where I can buy the other colors in my area. so we have to make do with Frixion. I found that each sample left a ghost (faint white line), but the ghosting was most noticeable on the unwashed and unstarched sample.Below is the unwashed and starched sample after ironing. !I used a Frixion pen on washed, unstarched fabric for FMQ – and the lines appeared on the quilt which had overwintered in our rv. Your testing was very thorough and I agree with you conclusion. I usually use a pencil, lightly, to draw any lines that I need.

!Very helpful article.

Have a fantastic day!Thanks for a great discussion about all the possibilities. I prefer using blue water-soluble pens for marking quilting lines (but always test first on your project).

The thermo ink makes the gel ink disappear, but the ink remains although it’s invisible.

I tested this out, too. I’ve always wondered about the Frixion pens and now I know. I have avoided these pens due to word of mouth and now I really know why.When I used the washable marker to mark quilting lines on a quilt that was spray basted and then sat for a week before it was bound and washed, the markings did not wash out and I had to treat the stains several times to make it acceptable. I always love your posts and I’ll be waiting to hear about the Crayola!This is an outstanding post Julie!!!! Just an FYI, The Frixion pen does come in a *light blue* colour which seems to be the one you were using, rather than the regular blue :) Almost seems like it bleaches the fabric.Try using Best Press…thoroughly wet the area and rub it in. Thank you for the information.Excellent information for us Quilters.