I have seen several blog reviews about the Frixion pens by Pilot. (these use thermochromatic ink) But after yesterday'
s post I realize there are still some that do not know about them.
This is what they look like. I got mine in a pack of 3 at Staples. I wish I knew where the blue one was!
I sewed two strips together, similar to my red and white border and used the black pen and a stencil to mark my lines.
Then I put a hot iron to it.
It is completely gone on the lighter color. My experience on darker colors is that it removes some of the fabric dye as well. I stitched over my pen marks so I wasn't concerned about white marks on my red border. You need to test before using and think about your specific project and how it will affect it.
My quilting may not be perfect, but it isn't because of any pen lines!!
I hear the lines can come back if quilt/fabric is exposed to temperatures below 14 degrees. If I have one of my quilts out in 14 degree weather I'll be thinking about living and preventing frostbite, not if my marking lines are coming back on my quilt!! LOL
Thank you for sharing about Frixion pens, I had not heard of them before. I was going to check on them and then forgot----oops another Senior Moment.
ReplyDeleteAnd be especially careful not to put your quilt in the freezer! :)
ReplyDeleteAt least you don't live in Alaska, they probably shouldn't use them! LOL Thank you for showing the picture of them, I never could figure out which ones I was supposed to get! I always forget the name!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! I am still waiting for the perfect pen that can come up with the perfect design and perfectly marks the quilt, not asking for too much am I. LOL
ReplyDeleteWe would all love that!!
DeleteAt Hillbilly Handiworks blog, Tonya and her home-schooled son experimented with the pens and found that if you wash the quilt, the whitish lines disappear from the darker colors and the lines no longer come back with the cold. That convinced me to use them as I always wash my finished quilts to test my stitiching and to remove all my markings - love 'em!
ReplyDeleteI have heard the "horror stories" of people using them and sending their quilts to a show. After being shipped through freezing temps they arrive at the show with lines showing. Don't know if this is just quilting folklore, but since I don't plan on sending any quilts to shows, it is a non-issue. : )
ReplyDeletethey are fabulous.. but regarding the freezer bit .. apparently someone marked their quilt and the marks re-appeared after being sent by plane to a quilt show. A planes cargo hold is apparently very cold.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info about the pens....I will definately give them a try! The wash away pens that I normally use are not inexpensive...this might be the perfect option....and going to Staples rather than the fabric store to buy them I wont come out with yards of fabric that I couldn't pass up!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review. I have been using Transfer-Eze for some embroidery work and still have mixed feelings about it. A Frixion pen might be worth a try for me.
ReplyDeletemy lines came back after a freezer test,
ReplyDeleteI'm mixed on these pens - there are alot of other marking tools that I think work well too
I'm not so concerned that my quilt would be exposed to cold temps and the lines would come back. I'm concerned that there is something left there that in the future will degrade the fabric!! I've seen too much damage like this on antique quilts from dyes. I wouldn't use them.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing part 2 of my experiment. Stay tuned Virginia!!
DeletePS, My quilts will outlive me and after that I don't care! lol
Thank you for the review, Lori. I have a huge fear of most marking pens. A friend gave me a couple of Frixion pens and I very leery of using them. LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about these pens. Looks like you are putting them to good use :0) I love the look of the cable in the red and white border.
ReplyDeleteJust saw them first last week, so I will go and try! I know my favorite shop sells them...
ReplyDeleteTest, test, test. The mantra when using any type of marking pens/pencils. I am sending my BTCT off to be marked, but first I will be sending a small piece using the same background so I can test their marking!
ReplyDeleteI have been using them for about 6 months now...love them!!!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn :)
When I did my tests, I used a green pen on black fabric (and I also washed all my test fabrics before my final check) and didn't have any mark left at all. The black pen on white fabric didn't disappear completely with my iron but vanished when I gave it a spritz of water. Then I put everything in the washer - no marks.
ReplyDeleteAnd I completely agree with you about the cold test!
Thanks, Lori. It's always good to have a new tool in the arsenal.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Lori. We have them at the shop. Seems like everyonbe that has them really likes them. (our customers I mean). Great advise to test before using on a project.
ReplyDeleteYour quilting on the red and white looks great.
I've read a few reviews of these pens before, but I didn't know they would react like that on red fabric! A great post, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review of the pens - I haven't tried them yet, but have been curious. Your cable looks fantastic! You sure got it done fast!
ReplyDeleteI admit to using them in some circumstances, they have a place but it's good to be informed. I think if the lines aren't ironed but the quilt is washed, the chemical may come out but I haven't tested that yet.
ReplyDeleteI like these pens. I think the residual white line will generally be blocked by the quilting, as long as you quilt on the lines!! VBG. I won't be having my quilts in the freezer any time soon.
ReplyDeleteI experienced the color being removed but it was so hard to see where it was on the print fabric that it didn't make a difference.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori,
ReplyDeleteI have been using these pens for several years now, I discovered them in France and used them for my French boutis. I find them very useful, you can correct mistakes easily, and often I simply erase the marks by running the hairdryer over them. If you press, you tend to see the whitish marks you mention. However, these disappear with washing. The marks do not reappear after washing, even if you put the fabric in the freezer ! How I know: I did my own "unscientific" testing !
Thanks for a great blog, I always enjoy reading your posts
I use these pens when marking the turn line for my needleturn applique. Since most of the line is turned under it is fine when ironed and is great when you can,t turn under all of the line especially in sharp v's. I love them.
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering about these pens. My quilts are definitely exposed to below zero temps...on the way to quilt guild meetings in the winter, at parades and fall camping trips, etc. But I would enjoy using them on hand stitchery projects since the lines are covered anyway. Great post...thanks! Love the quilted cables!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. Lori. Those pens seem a lot less risky than the water activated ones. More chanse of permanent marks, is what I've heard. The cables look great. A nice way to finish that quilt! cheers,cw
ReplyDeleteI really like the Frixion pens -- started using them at Christmas time after Santa brought me an 8-pack of all of the colors.
ReplyDeleteLove your Post. I will never ever, never ever use the marker where you have to use water again. Did I say never, I mean never!!!! these new pens are wonderful. Funny thing tho, I left a marked border in my car and the marks disappeared.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilting! I went out today to look for some of those pens. Target had a three pack for $5.49. I got pink, red, and purple :)
ReplyDeleteBoth cowboy quilts look great, Lori. The recipients look happy with them too! Will have to see if I can find some of those pens over here - you've piqued my interest!!
ReplyDeleteI must give these a try. I've used the Clover white one where there is a delay in the ink showing up. It kind of drives me nuts but once it appears then I am pleased with it. I've used it for drawing lines when I am hand piecing a dark fabric that doesn't show the pencil lines. Of course, twice I've forgotten and pressed my piece part way through stitching and OOPS no more lines. Actually, they kind of leave a mark if you look really closely. Anyway, you've made me want to give the Frixion pens a go. There's nothing better than actually seeing what you are doing. That's a feeling that gets rarer and rarer with each passing year.
ReplyDelete