Fabric crayons are designed to produce permanent, launderable drawings and designs when applied to synthetic fabric, or fabric having a predominance of synthetic fibers. Although the crayons appear muted, colors become brilliant when transferred to cloth. These crayons can be used alone or with other permanent art materials to create designs on wearables or anything made from fabric, such as quilts, toys, handkerchiefs, scarves and gift items.

Any drawing and color-blending techniques done with regular crayons can be done successfully with fabric crayons.

Draw a design on lightweight, absorbent paper, such as newsprint or computer paper. This paper, called a dyesheet, will be used to transfer your design, in reverse, onto the fabric.

Because of the design reversal during transfer, letters should be written backward on the dyesheet. Draw letters with black marker on back of lightweight dyesheet, then trace show-through letters on front of dyesheet. When ironed, words will be readable.

Carefully brush loose crayon crumbs off dyesheet.

Draw on fine sandpaper, using this as a dyesheet, to produce a richly-colored dotted effect. Press iron down very firmly on the back of the sandpaper and move iron slowly, lifting it between strokes to ensure transfer from this thicker paper.

Make a crayon rubbing on a dyesheet placed over textural materials, such as leaves or lace. Cut out shapes and use as a dyesheet, or glue shapes together and iron on this collage at one time.

Color entire dyesheet. Fold paper repeatedly and cut out duplicate designs as if making "snowflakes" or "paper dolls."

If planning to paint over a crayon drawing or rubbing, press crayon firmly to establish a thick color buildup. Crayon coverage is richer if paper is placed on a newspaper pad when coloring.

Select item or fabric made of 100% synthetic fibers or fabric blends with at least 60% synthetic content. Greater synthetic content assures greater permanency and brilliance. Prewash blends to remove sizing. Note: Provide adult supervision in well ventilated area for techniques involving melted crayons. Ironing should be done by an adult. Overheating wax crayons during melting or ironing may release irritating fumes.

Carefully brush loose crayon crumbs off dyesheet.

Place fabric or garment face up on a pad of newspaper which has been covered with white paper. When transferring design onto a garment, put a white paper inside garment between front and back.

Place dyesheet face down on fabric and cover with a second sheet of thin white paper. Set "no steam" iron for cotton. Press entire design with slow, steady pressure, using a lifting motion to move the iron. Note: Provide adult supervision in well ventilated area for techniques involving melted crayons. Ironing should be done by an adult. Overheating wax crayons during melting or ironing may release irritating fumes.

When design begins to show through back of dyesheet, check color transfer by carefully lifting one corner of the dyesheet.

Decorated articles can be machine washed, but should not be bleached or placed in a dryer.

Pentel Fabric Fun is a non-toxic, fabric dyeing pastel set. These are brightly intense colors in soft stick form. Simply draw a design onto the fabric with pastels and press with a hot iron. These fabric pastels dye permanent and wash fast. A set of 15 assorted colors.