I don't mark anything now. I did one quilt only. Circles - never again. It was the hardest one I've done. Thank goodness it was a baby quilt. I do plan my quilting pattern, whether it's a meander or something more organized. I never SITD, except the first border and I do that after FMQ. As far as knowing when to stop, I am not a fan of too close together FMQ, so it isn't an issue.