I hear your pain. I bought EVERYTHING to "help" and was afraid to try for about a year. I bought the Golden threads paper and 2 books, ultimate pounce, stencils galore, marking stuff, heavier thread and needles, etc. etc. etc and of course the expensive foot for my Viking. My practice always looks good, but I'm still afraid to "ruin" the pieced top I've worked so hard to do. The only thing I've done is use the paper and it's such a pain I want to go forward. Maybe we can encourage each other!