If you are just learning and want an all over pattern on a quilt where you want the quilting to look professional, buy three groovy boards in a pattern you want. You use a stylus in the grooves to move the machine after taping the boards down on the table. When you get to the end of the third board, you move the first board into the fourth position and continue hop skotching the boards until you get to the end of the width of your quilt. Groovy boards (aka pattern boards) are not inexpensive, though.)