I made my earlier suggestions because I assumed a "college girl" might not have a "high end" machine and probably hadn't learned to free-motion quilt. But I encourage you to try it on a "primer". Make up a small "quilt" and just use it for practice. Drop your feed dogs, add a "darning" foot and start meandering. Using pencil on paper is a big help in getting good at it. It does take practice, but you will love doing it.
And yes... Clamshell!