PRACTICE!!!! I just started quilting in last Feb so I am a newbe but I am doing my own maching quilting. My quilting teacher said to practice every day and also to draw patterns with pencil and paper so that your brain will remenber the motions. Also if the machine is too fast for you when you put the peddle to the metal then put a small block of wood on the back side of the peddle to make it not go down so far and therefore not so fast. Start small like with wall hangings. I am making several 30 x 30 wall hangings that I am FMQ and having a really fun time. I have done stars, vines with leaves, meandering as well as SID. The fanciers stitches will come later. However sometimes the simpler the better. Also one of my LQS offers use of their longarm for a reasonable fee after lessons. I am going to check that out.