They use to say mark the quilt top first. That never worked for me. I mark a space that fits in my hoop and mark as I go. I think more hand quilters mark a little at a time. I don't know many that mark the entire top anymore. Especially if you are using chalk. I have a chalk mechanical pencil called Bohin/France, I love it. It comes in white and green.
http://www.thebestkeptsecret.com/cgi...cking5=froogle