I use Valdani 35 wt thread for hand quilting. Roxanne #11 needles. For marking I use many different tools. 1/4" masking tape for echoing seams and wider for cross hatch, clover chaco liner (use only white!! The colors don't always come out, I learned that the hard way), ceramic lead mechanical pencils, hera markers, chalk (both regular school style chalk in white and chalk pencils in gray and white), Saral and Transdoodle wax free transfer paper and I have even used pencil over starched fabric. Pencil is risky, it doesn't always come out. I have been very lucky and the starch acted as a sort of film on the fabric to keep the lead from embedding into the fibers. Back when I hand quilted I marked as I went. One time I marked a quilt in its entirety and a lot of the marks had rubbed off before I got to that area as I quilt with a lap hoop so the quilt rubs against itself and is manipulated a lot.