I’ve gotten a few questions from readers asking how to make colored pencil permanent on fabric. Almost to the person, the problem has been colors that either fade with use or wash out when laundered.

This isn’t a typical topic for this blog, but it’s a holiday day (happy Labor Day!) and the questions did arouse my curiosity, so here we are!

Can You Make Colored Pencil Permanent on Fabric

Let’s first take a look at whether it’s even possible to make colored pencil art permanent if you’re drawing on fabric.

I’ve drawn on a lot of things over the years—mostly just to see what happens. But I’ve never tried colored pencils on fabric, so have no personal advice to offer.

So my first thought was that colored pencil doesn’t work on fabric at all.

Then I recalled a local quilt show that included a beautiful quilt enhanced with colored pencil drawings. The quilt would have been wonderful without the drawings, but the drawings definitely added to its appeal.

The quilters were avid in their craft, so I had to conclude that colored pencil does work on fabric.

Since these ladies were serious quilters and many of the quilts were made as heirlooms, I had to conclude there is a way to make colored pencil permanent on fabric.

The question then is: How?

How Do You Make Colored Pencil Permanent on Fabric?

I did a little research and came up with this tutorial from Sandra Leichner, who makes fabric art.

She suggests the use of something called a colorless extender. The brand she uses is Jacquard and, guess what? It’s available through Dick Blick!

What you do is make your drawing on the fabric, then lightly paint over it with this color extender. Let it air dry, then set it with a iron. Easy, right?

Sandra included a step-by-step tutorial with her post, and she included some handy tips. So  If you’re interested in doing colored pencil on fabric and want to make it permanent, then you may find Colored Pencil on Fabric helpful.

I certainly hope so, at any rate.

Conclusion

I don’t know about you, but this article sparked a few ideas. Fine art wall hangings anyone?

Whether you quilt or do fabric art or not, I hope you enjoyed this fun little article.

And if you do try drawing on fabric, let us know how it turns out! I, for one, am curious to know more.