I frequently draw my design in light weight vellum type paper cut to block or border size, pin it to the quilt and stitch away. I have also used the Ultra Clean Crayola markers when I plan to wash it before using it or giving it away. Works for me. I am not artistic and do not doodle well; no matter how hard I try. So, I use paper and stencils. FMQ to me means that I lower the feed dogs and direct the machine with my hands.