I agree with using the walking foot/guide bar combo. I recently machine quilted a very intricately pieced quilt with this method. Got quilting inspiration from another thread on here about doing a circle in the center of the quilt and then a larger circle around the first. Marked with colored chalk the first two circles so I knew exact width apart I wanted then just continued using the guide bar. Was easy-peasy!

I have used this tool and I like it. My experience was not with quilting large areas but rather in small areas along a border. It worked just fine, but as said by many, good lighting is important. It is an old technique that reappears from time to time. It is worth a try.

the tape method. It allowed me as a beginner to complete quilts 100% on my own...with direction from experienced quilters of course. But I did it myself. Once I found the various sizes, I was as happy as can be...until DH thought he had misplaced his painters' tape.

I use a hera marker for small markings. It works pretty good. I bought a 4' and a 6' straight edge rulers from Lowes. They are metal and exactly 2" wide. I lay the ruler across my quilt in the center or from corner to corner and mark the line (I use Ultra Washable Crayola markers or white chalk for dark fabric). I flip the ruler and line it up on the drawn line and keep marking across the quilt It doesn't take long to mark a big quilt top using this method. Most home improvement stores have them. The six foot is under $15.

I was disappointed in the Hera marker. difficult to see and thought it was "scratching the fabric" I crayons ultra clean washable markers. Just fabulous. every bit washes out

Have you seen the Frog painters tape that comes in wide scallops and zig zag patterns?

no I haven’t but sounds interesting

Do you have to machine wash the whole quilt to get the crayola marks out? I don’t think I would like to because I usually make bed size quilts😩

I have one I use for my hand quilting and find it really helpful if the lighting is bright. I use frixion pens frequently too. Frixion are the erasable ones by Pilot........heat does it so my hair dryer erases the marks really well!

The Hera marker makes a soft, temporary crease you can quilt on. You can avoid marking up your quilt and then spend time later getting the marks out. It helps.