The PROBLEM with Sharpie

A few weeks ago I went to Staples to buy some markers to use on fabric squares I would be assembling for a Prayer Quilt for a dear Friend who had just announced she was diagnosed with stage 3 Ovarian Cancer.  I told the store assistant I was looking for permanent markers to use on fabric to make a quilt.  He showed me the marker section. The Sharpies had the sets with the most colors.  That would be great to have such a variety of colors. I have used Sharpies for years.  I thought I knew their product.  I got the biggest set.

Because my Friend said that the only thing she wanted were prayers, it seemed like the obvious thing for me to do was cut some pre-washed fabric squares so Friends could write their prayers.  I led 2 workshops.  The squares made were WONDERFUL.  Very colorful, creative and I thought just the thing to remind our Friend that she was loved and being prayed for.

Unfortunately, I did not test the squares for color fastness until after the second workshop.  I only did it then because someone sent in a square they had created which bleed volumes when it was submersed in water.  After that incident, I ironed all of my stack of creative squares, then tried them in water.  The water ran RED.  It was so horrible, I just wanted to cry.

Although all ran to one extent or another, here is what resulted from a few squares. 

In all cases, it is important to me that the person connected with this square not be identified.  Therefore, I did some editing in the squares to eliminate identification.

After emailing Sharpie from their site, I waited almost 2 weeks to receive this reply,  

"

Dear Ann, Thank you for choosing Newell Brands Office Products. We  appreciate your interest in our products. Unfortunately, our standard markers are not recommended for  fabrics. The only markers we recommend for fabrics are our  Stained by Sharpie markers. Any other makers can cause  bleeding and may not stay permanent after washing. If I can be of further assistance, please reply to this email  directly so that we can see all previous replies. You may  also receive a survey, regarding the service I've provided. Thank you, Katie Newell Brands Office Products" I replied that I thought the photos were misleading.  It has been  less than 2 weeks, so perhaps I will get a reply sometime later.   I will post it if I do. These are a few of the photos they post on their website. Most people are going to have to wash white sneakers.  All will  want to be able to wash their jeans.  These are the same  markers I used on the fabric squares except that the ones  I chose were Ultra Fine Point. This is far beyond disappointing.  Now I have to find  Washable Markers then ask people to do this all over  again.  That is of course after I have cut some more  squares.    . . . Shopping online:  I am now in the process of testing markers  made specifically for fabric.  Be alert.  Even some of these  have a caveat that he markers may 'bleed'.   I did not buy those. However, buying in a store is much harder because all of  the information  is not as easy to find.  I guess this is  one time that shopping online shows more needed  information. More to follow.