Well, welcome to the "practicing stage," Butterfly! That's what I've been doing too. My hand is having a problem - doesn't want to cooperate where I want the stitches to go. My 7YO recently wanted me to show her how to quilt. Of course, she has to hold the needle the best she can at her age. I pulled out a sample piece with a design of diamonds in dots. After a few minutes, she got the hang of it and got that needle exactly in the center of each dot (down and up through the fabric. It has helped me too to visualize the actual size of the stitches I want. May feel elementary for you, but might be good visual training. Good luck, to you and me!