Originally Posted by jljack
Nice work for your first quilt!! You will definately improve with each work you do. I would try straight line quilting for a while to get the feel of handling your quilts on the machine, and then practice FMQ on a practice quilt sandwich for a good while before doing a real quilt. Give yourself plenty of time so you aren't nervous any more. You'll be so much happier than if you end up having to rip, rip, rip!! Uuughhh!!!
Keep in mind that straight stitch quilting uses a different foot than free motion quilting (FMQ) ... a walking foot is an excellent foot for the straight stitch. An embroidery/darning foot (depending on the age of your sewing machine) is used for FMQ. <wave>