it's important to TRY! remember you can't drive the Indy 500 with a learner's permit. Most of us just have learner's permits when we start out with machine quilting. It's the practice that gives you the skill. That's 90% of the learning curve. I think some quilters have a natural gift for the artistic taste and style that goes into FM, but other than that, it's practice. What you lack in artistry can be learned these days. We have so many wonderful templates, dvd's, videos, and on-line sites to help us!