I can recommend tracing your pattern onto Golden Threads paper. It is thin, like tissue paper, comes on a roll, probably 9 inches wide. It is specifically for quilting. It would probably tear off easier than freezer paper would. I have used it on a busy dark border. I use double stick tape to stick it to the top, with an occasional safety pin here and there. Good Luck!

Lots of good ideas. I'm glad you mentioned about the white Clover white pens Nancy. I had wondered how come I would get the blue/white double pack and the white pens never worked!! haha. Now I know. I have tried all the marking ideas above except the Crayola option. I even used my white Generals charcoal pencil. That one is usually my go to choice for marking. It didn't even work. Too many colors I suppose. I do like (and had never thought of) tracing the design onto freezer paper then just stitching through it, since it would adhere well. Tissue paper work probably work better. Either way it will have to be put on after I pin the sandwich.

Thanks Ladies!!!! Excited now to get started! Blast this daytime job!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Yep ! I like those, too!

I like the white ceramic mechanical pencils and the Clover white marking pens. I find that the Clover pens come out more easily than the ceramic pencils because they come out with water or heat. But the Clover pens take a couple of seconds to appear on the fabric so it's a little disconcerting until you get used to it. I just used those pens to mark a pure black batik and they worked great.

I've recently used the new white mechanical pencil markers from SewLine. They stay on very well and remove easily.
Much better than chalk. There are other brands as well.

Surprised you are having trouble seeing chalk. I have used white watercolour pencils in the past for marking dark fabrics, and if they don't show up when dry I wet the tip of the pencil and then used it.

Alternatively, how about drawing & cutting the design out on freezer paper, and then you can iron it on and stitch around it.

To use Press'n seal you trace your stencil onto it and then place on your quilt, sew through and pull it off. It could be a pain picking bits out of the stitches, so try first. You could use tracing paper/baking parchment and secure it to the quilt with masking tape which would tear off easily.

You use a Hera marker before sandwiching the quilt, I just tried it on dark flowery fabric and it's really hard to see so forget that

Another thought is Crayola washable fine line markers but again test first one of the colours is hard to remove but I can't remember which

I have never used a hera marker. I have seen them. Is that something that you do before the quilt is sandwiched? And curious, press'n seal? The stuff in the kitchen???? Sorry, I'm kind of new to using stencils and marking quilt tops. Thanks for your help, I look forward to clarification.

How about a Hera marker, that would work with stencils. Or have you tried Press'n Seal?

I have a log cabin quilt top that has dark printed fabrics (scrappy style) on one side and white on the other. I need to mark the dark intersections for machine quilting but nothing seems to be working. I am using a stencil. The chalk is not showing very well and I still need to pin out the quilt sandwich. I am using the blue marking pens for the white areas and the border. Does anyone have any ideas for marking the dark fabrics?