The stencils have slits in them where the lines go. you can mark with chalk but I am too messy with it also. I use a Fons and porter mechanical quilting pencil. It comes with dark led for light cloth and white lead for dark cloth. You can also use a pen that disappears shortly after marking. I like using them if I am marking as I quilt! hope this helped some, I will post pic when stencils come. You can also use a light box to mark quilt top. Just put a light under glass table top and place design on top of table, then lay quilt top on top and the design will shine through. You can use anything for a pattern. I have used plates for curve quilting and made shell design from spools or small glasses. Any where your imagination takes you is alright! :D Ninnie in NC