Marking Pencils, a report by Diana in PA

From: macdye@aol.com (MacDye)
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.textiles.quilting
Subject: Marking Pencil Test Results - Long
Date: 24 Jul 1996 21:51:17 -0400

I didn't post my results initially because (a) the post would be long, and
(b) this is far from scientific and it would be better if everyone did their
own test with their own detergent and their own water.  Please test for
yourself before marking your quilt -- I don't want to be responsible if you
don't get the same results I did.  With that in mind, here are my results.

RECAP:  On a piece of white muslin, I wrote and underscored each pencil's
name twice, and then ironed one column (on cotton with steam).  I used a
normal writing pressure and the underscores were probably heavier than the
name.  I then washed the muslin with my regular laundry using warm wash,
cold rinse, Tide detergent.  I have no chlorine or other treatment in my 
water.


RESULTS : (X marks the ones I'm throwing out of the quilting pencil jar)

1.  "Lead" pencils, ease of washout, best to worst:
**********************************************************
   Berol Karismacolor, Medium, Karisma Graphite Aquarelle 
   (I believe this is no longer available), made one of the darkest marks,
   left only very slight traces, ironed side possibly slightly darker
   
   No. 2  Student Pencil (plain old writing pencil)
   Made light yet visible mark, washing left very faint traces,  ironed side
   possibly very slightly darker
   
   Ultimate Quilting Pencil Lead in mechanical pencil (X)
   Original mark light, marks visible after washing, ironed side possibly
   very slightly darker
   
   Eberhard Faber Microtomic 4H (X)
   Made a light thin mark, clearly visible after washing, ironing
   unimportant.
   
   Pentel 0.5 mechanical pencil, HB lead (X)
   Made light thin mark, clearly visible after washing, unironed mark
   slightly lighter


2.  Colored Pencils (Blues), ease of washout, best to worst
********************************************************************
   Berol Verithin,  Non-Photo Blue
   Made pale, thin line, washed out totally
   
   Berol Verithin, Sky Blue
   Made pale, thin line, washed out totally
   
   Eagle Prismacolor, Light Blue (X)
   Made slightly darker mark, slightly visible on ironed (especially the
   underline), very faint traces on unironed side
   
   
3.  Colored Pencils (Silver), ease of washout, best to worst
********************************************************************
   Berol Verithin, Silver
   Made light thin line, washed out totally

   EZ Silver  Marking Pencil
   Made light thin line (comparable to Berol), washed out totally

   Roxanne's Quilter's Choice
   Slightly softer pencil than Berol, light line, washed out totally


4.  Colored Pencils (Other), ease of washout, best to worst
********************************************************************
   Berol Verithin, Gold
   Makes thin, visible line, washed out totally

   EZ International Quilting Clear Erase, Gray (no color marked on pencil)
   Makes thin, visible linel, washed out totally

   Berol Prismacolor, Gray (Gris Froid 30%) 
   Makes light gray, soft, slightly heavier mark, underline still visible on
   ironed, very faint traces on unironed 

   EZ International Quilting Clean Erase, Yellow (X)
   Original marks very light, left faint yellow stain on ironed, no trace on
   unironed

   Eagle Prismacolor, Gold (X)
   Made medium visible mark, underscore visible on ironed, faint traces on
   unironed


5.  Chalk Pencils (all):
*************************
   Dressmaker Pencil (blue chalk)
   Makes visible line, slightly darker and thicker than Berol, washed out
   totally

   Blue Water Soluble Pencil
   Makes visible medium thick line, slightly lighter than Dressmaker, washed
   out totally

   Dixon Washout Cloth Marker - red
   Makes very visible medium thick line, washed out totally


6.  Marking Pens:
********************
   Mark-B-Gone (Blue)
   Makes heavier, very visible line, "bleeds" if you don't mark fast, washed
   out totally

   Purple Disappearing Pen (no name) (X)
   Makes heavier, very visible line, "bleeds" if you don't mark fast, washed
   out totally


Surprises (to me):
********************
   Despite all the warnings about ironing marks, it seemed to make very
   little difference, except on the softer artist pencils and the yellow 
   pencil.  My No. 2 lead pencil washed out about as well as any of the 
   others.  The Ultimate Quilting Lead was a waste of money.

   I'd like to see someone else do a test with Orvus.  

Diana in Penna.