The blue washable markers are good. Also there is a white, for use on dark fabric, but it has to dry before you see the line. I like to use chalk. I found that my brain has to think of the design in order to make it work so I usually don't mark and practice on trial sandwiches of fabric and batting until I have learned the fmq motifs such as feathers, swirls etc. This just seems to stay in my brain better.