Sometimes in my classes, people use Frixion pens. I always express my caution about them. To me, they, and those “wash out” markers are not what I would be using.
I do not like the idea of marking my embroidery with a pen ink that disappears. This is because I cannot be sure that some of it does not stay. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
Jenny K Lyon, from Quilt Skipper has written a comprehensive post about Frixion pens, in which she discusses their use, and even spoke with a Pilot (the company that makes them) rep. While it is written from the point of view of a quilter rather than an embroiderer, what she has to say is still very relevant. I highly recommend you read the article.
So, what DO I suggest you use? A plain old HB pencil is fine. But even better is a wash out PENCIL, such as the Sewline Fabric Pencil. These pencils will not soak into your fabric. They will not bleed onto your fabric like those horrible wash out markers. They will make a nice, fine, removable line. When you use them, you are putting particles of ceramic “lead” onto your fabric.
They will not disappear, but what they will do, is wash out, or you can use the eraser on the end to erase them. If you can see them, they are still there. If you cannot see them, the particles have been removed. It’s a fairly straightforward visual clue!
To me, a fabric pencil is the best option. If you read the article, you will have noted that the Pilot rep said they did not design Frixion pen for use on fabric. The Sewline Fabric Pencils were designed for use on fabric, and are, in my opinion, the best product to use on fabric.
As well as for drawing patterns onto embroidery fabric, I often use mine with white lead in it for tailor’s markings when dressmaking. I just have the one pencil and I swap the leads, so it is very versatile. Of course, you can also have two separate pencils if you know you’re likely to use both colours regularly.
You can purchase Sewline Fabric Pencils on our website, and read more about them there.
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
Thanks for this – I’ll look out for the pencils. My problem with an HB pencil is that sometimes I don’t want to stitch exactly over the line I’ve marked. I’ve been using a fine blue washout pen, making sure I wash it out thoroughly as soon as possible after I’ve stitched. No visible trace seems to be left on linen or cotton, but I test-marked a bit of silk dupion and wasn’t convinced it had all gone. Also, I need something suitable for dark fabrics – there’s a bit of dark brown linen in the stash just crying out to be stitched on – a fine white pencil line that washes out would be perfect.
Hi Elaine, it sounds like the pencils I stock could suit you perfectly. http://www.vettycreations.com.au/fabric-pencil.html They come in grey/black and also white.
Thanks for the reference. It confirms what I thought. Also, friction pens are NOT acid free.