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If you sew, quilt, or craft with fabric, you know how important it is to have a good marking tool. A regular pencil or pen usually will not work well on fabric, and some fabric markers can leave behind permanent lines if you are not careful.
That is why heat erasable fabric pens are such a useful tool to keep in your sewing space. I recently tested a set of heat erasable fabric pens sold on Amazon, and they come in three colors: black, pink, and white.
I also did an actual demonstration of these pens on my YouTube channel, so you can see how they perform on fabric before deciding if they are right for your sewing projects.
You can watch the demonstration here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkyr1xG3-58&feature=youtu.be
What Are Heat Erasable Fabric Pens?
Heat erasable fabric pens are marking pens designed for fabric. You can use them to draw pattern lines, mark seam allowances, trace templates, or add temporary sewing guidelines. When you are finished sewing, the marks disappear when heat is applied.
Most often, you can remove the marks with:
- An iron
- A heat press
- Steam
- Sometimes even a hot hair dryer, depending on the fabric and pen
These pens can be especially helpful when you need a clear marking line that will not brush away while you are working.
What Comes in the Set?
The set I tested included three colors:
- Black
- Pink
- White
Having multiple colors is helpful because not every pen color shows up well on every fabric. The darker pens work best on lighter fabrics, while the white pen is designed for darker fabrics.
How the Black and Pink Pens Performed
The black and pink heat erasable pens worked well on lighter colored fabrics. The marks showed up clearly, which made them easy to see while sewing.
These darker pens would be helpful for projects such as:
- Marking seam lines
- Tracing pattern pieces
- Drawing quilting guidelines
- Marking darts or pleats
- Adding temporary placement lines
- Labeling pieces during construction
When heat was applied, the marks erased fully. I did not notice leftover color from the darker pens after heating, which is exactly what I would want from a fabric marking pen.
For light fabric, these two colors were the best performers in the set.
How the White Pen Performed
The white pen works a little differently from the black and pink pens. When using it on dark fabric, the color does not appear right away.
It takes about 20 seconds for the white color to show up on the fabric.
That is not necessarily a dealbreaker, but it is something to know before using it. At first, you may think the pen is not working, but the mark slowly appears after a short wait.
The white pen is useful because darker pens usually do not show up well on dark fabric. However, it did not erase quite as cleanly as the black and pink pens.
Does the White Pen Erase Completely?
When heat was applied to the white pen marks, the color did disappear, but I could still see a little residue left behind.
Because of that, I would be careful about where I use the white pen.
I would recommend using it only in areas that will be:
- Covered by a seam
- Hidden inside the project
- On the wrong side of the fabric
- In an inconspicuous spot
- Covered by another piece of fabric or trim
I would not use the white pen on a highly visible area of a finished project unless I had tested it first on the exact fabric.
Pros of These Heat Erasable Fabric Pens
Overall, there are several things I liked about these pens.
They are affordable
One of the biggest benefits is the price. These pens are a budget-friendly option, especially if you sew often and need marking tools on hand.
The darker colors erase well
The black and pink pens erased fully when heat was applied, which made them very useful on lighter fabrics.
They are easy to use
The pens write smoothly and are simple to use for basic fabric marking.
The set includes multiple colors
Having black, pink, and white gives you options for both light and dark fabrics.
They are helpful for many sewing projects
These pens could be used for garment sewing, quilting, bag making, craft projects, and pattern marking.
Cons of These Heat Erasable Fabric Pens
There are also a few things to keep in mind.
The white pen takes time to appear
The white mark takes about 20 seconds to show up on dark fabric, so you need to be patient when using it.
The white pen may leave residue
After heat is applied, the white mark may leave a little residue behind. This makes it better for hidden or covered areas rather than visible parts of a finished project.
You should always test first
Like any fabric marking tool, these pens should be tested on a scrap of the same fabric before using them on your actual project.
Best Uses for These Pens
I would recommend these heat erasable fabric pens for:
- Light-colored cotton fabric
- Quilting guidelines
- Pattern markings
- Seam allowance marks
- Darts and pleats
- Bag-making projects
- Hidden construction marks
- Practice sewing projects
- Areas that will be covered or sewn into a seam
The black and pink pens are best for light fabrics. The white pen can be helpful on dark fabrics, but I would use it with caution.
When I Would Not Use Them
I would avoid using these pens in highly visible areas unless I tested them first.
I would be especially careful with:
- White marks on dark fabric
- Delicate fabric
- Expensive fabric
- Fabric that cannot be ironed
- Areas that will be visible on the finished item
Since heat is required to remove the marks, these pens are not the best choice for fabrics that cannot safely handle heat.
My Final Recommendation
Overall, I would recommend these heat erasable fabric pens, especially if you are using the black or pink pens on lighter colored fabrics. They mark clearly, erase fully with heat, and are affordable.
The white pen is useful for dark fabrics, but it does take about 20 seconds for the mark to appear, and it may leave a little residue after heat is applied. Because of that, I would use the white pen in areas that will be covered or in places that are not very noticeable.
For the price, this set is a helpful tool to have in your sewing room. Just remember to test the pens on a fabric scrap first before marking your actual project.
You can see my full demonstration on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkyr1xG3-58&feature=youtu.be
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