Pens for writing on fabric

That's a yes and no, Joanna. Some 'any' permanent markers might work as well or better. . . or you might have a runny mess. To consider an alternate, I think I'd test it by heat-setting on a scrap, holding it under running water for a minute or two and letting it dry. Then, abuse it with letting it sit wet on something white to see if it's going to weep or fade. There's a mug of permanent markers here - some say 'not for fabric'. Some claim they are and they are not so good. You knew all this, didn't you? Polly

"Joanna" Does it have to be a pigma pen or can any permanent marker work?

Be a little wary of the ones that are not made for fabric. A high xylol or benzene content will damage the fabric. Lord knows what else they may put in some of them. Not so critical with a lable, but my less than scientific rule of thumb is if using it too long makes you goofy it will probably eventually eat your fabric. A fair few of those chemicals are like bleach in that they never completely wash out, and keep working slow but sure until they leave holes in the fabric you wrote on. Since I write the fiber content and laundry instructions on mine, I fuss.

NightMist

Oh my golly, NightMist. I was just thinking of smearing or disappearing. Didn't cross my mind that they might do an acid sort of damage as well. A lot would depend on what you're marking. For a crib quilt that can only expect a life span of 3 or 4 years, we wouldn't worry. For a quilt that will hope for much longer - ah yes, that's different. Also - you need to know - yesterday I was searching through some little catalogs and noticed there's a new interfacing that's promising not to turn brown with age. Aha. Just as I suspected. Some do, you know? Or can. Polly

"NightMist" Be a little wary of the ones that are not made for fabric.

That is why Sharpie markers are great for writing your kid's initials on their underwear when they go to camp, but not so hot for anything that can expect a long life. Sharpies are vicious.

Browned interfacing or interlining looks a sight under something like lawn doesn't it!? Generally for interfacing and such I am about a hundred years behind the times. Or very avante garde, depends on what you usually pay for clothes. (G) Something new that has overcome one of the problems of much of the modern stuff certainly has my attention. Yes many synthetics brown eventually, and a good lot of fusibles brown rather quickly. Stuffs stiffened with glues, gums, or resins brown rather fast too, and that has been known for a very very long time.

Do you recall anything about this new stuff other than the non-browning?

NightMist

I retraced my steps, so to speak. In the Newark dressmaker supply catalog, I found the soft velcro I needed and a tube of FrayBlock - essentials for preemie clothing. That's where I came across Mistyfuse Ultraviolet - 'especially formulated to protect against the tanning effect of UV rays'. Sort of like a sunscreen I suppose. You can look around at the good stuff they supply at

I've shopped there for years for little necessities and I like these people. Of course, I like just about everybody. A character flaw of some sort, I suppose. Polly

"NightMist" That is why Sharpie markers are great for writing your kid's initials

Roberta, you might want to ask them to send you a catalog. Usually, in the back, they have coupons for reduced shipping and several specials that might be nice bargains for you. Polly

"Roberta" Great site! I saw they had my favorite chalk marker under Craft

Looks like I am going to have to ask for a catalog since it doesn't seem to be in an easy to find place on the website. Their common button forms are a fair bit less expensive than I have been getting them. That place sells by the hundred for about the same prices Newark offers by the gross. So that alone is worth getting a catalog for.

NightMist