I use different markers - the markers that are washable, come in all colors, do a fantastic job on my quilt top. And they wash out after my project is completed. I always wash the quilt before it goes to it's home. I draw the pattern onto the material, and quilt! If the material is dark, I use a sliver of hand soap - smells great too! Great grandmother showed me the soap trick. Of course it doesn't show very well on white material.