Mrs.Mel Quilting gloves or garden gloves with the rubberized dots make the quilting moving smoother. At a quilting class I took we practiced with a sandwich doing circles so we could tell if the tension was adjusted right. Also make sure you are not moving your quilting too fast for what you are stitching. Take breaks and stretch every once in awhile so you don't tense up as you are stitching. Use a coordinating color in the bobbin so if your tension is off a little you will not see a white or colored bobbin thread on top or a top thread on the backing. Happpy stitching.