It's so hard to start something you really want to do and then have it not come out ok.... but... i've learned... if it's gonna make me sad... i quickly throw it out!!!
That being said....you could practice on "just a piece of fabric" (with batting).... sometimes it's handy to have for making tissue cases, or totes... or even pillow etc...
Now,,, feed dogs are dropped, or covered... on my reg sewing machine... i've read and i do... have the stitch length at 0... as for the tension i keep it the same....
the other trick is to have that speed pretty fast.... and Don't move the fabric too fast or far... that was my problem in the beginning... it would tend to pucker if you do.... move so that the stitches appear to be at about 1.5 or 2 (about how you'd use to piece)...
Another tip.. for me.. the whole "stipple thing" is just not possible.... i have no problem doing what i call a loop de loop..one loop goes up... the next goes down... that seems to be a movement that comes natural to me... it's now a standing joke at my quilt group... here comes barb and her Loop de Loop!!!! but it works...
Once i got this... it made me have to get a Janome 1600 and a Grace Pinnacle frame... what a blast that is!!!
So.. sorry if this was borin, but i could not resist some input... i remember the beginning...
pm me any time if need be... Barbara