It does take lots of practice. sometimes I feel like i haven't gotten any better over the years, but i know that i have. Except after the other day- I was doing the serpentine stitch on the seams and they I switched to FMQ. i couldn't figure out why my curves were all spastic. Then i realized i didn't change the stitch to stright stitch! I had to rip out two sides! good thing it was a small quilt!