If you use tracing paper be careful of what type of ink you use on it, even permanent sharpie can have color get locked into the stitches. I use golden threads paper most of the time, but if I run out regular tracing paper works ok. You just have to be more careful tearing it off, it can pull stitches loose a little if not careful. I have used the water soluble blue pens & micron archival pens for marking on the paper and both have worked well. Stencils can be pricey, so I usually get most of my fmq patterns from the internet, print on EQ7 and trace onto the paper. I have not tried pounce, but have found that most of the chalk markers hav trouble coming out in the wash. Just my experience.