I agree with Joan, don't get too ambitious with your first attempts. Also, I wonder, are you talk about "quilting" or "piecing". When I started I called everything quilting. It took me a while to realize these are two completely different parts of the same thing. Piecing was easier for me in the long run. Slow down, take my time cutting, practice 1/4" seams. But when I started FMQ I was like you, FEAR of ruining my beautiful (to me) quilt top. I did the stitch in the ditch for a long time before I ventured out to other things. Still not a pro but I can do stipples, leaves and vines, echo stitching and curlyques pretty good and these get me through all my quilts. Just jump in, work on something you love and have fun.