When I first started this time (I had quilted as a child but different system all together) I made a doll quilt for my dd with flannel on the back. I'd never heard of a walking foot or a darning foot. It was pretty bad but she still uses it. It doesn't look too bad from the front. LOL
You have REALLY learned all the lessons until you've sewn through your finger, nail and all. It's a lesson you'll never want to repeat. Or dropped a rotary cutter on your foot/toe.