Not self taught. I took classes at my LQS for beginning machine quilting I and II and am now signed up for FMQ class. I have watched FMQ on the web sites but I am a hands on learner so I find that lessons are better for me. The teacher is great and has taught a lot of "tricks of the trade". I am learning the basic skills and I will move on from there. This LQS offers cheap 2-3 hr quilt specific classes that I may take later. I was a sewer before quilting but who cares if you seams are srtaight or even when making stuffed snowmen or clothes for the grandkids. Quilting has taught be to slow down and that an exact seam does matter. l have learned a lot from this board!