This board told me that my hint is not cheating, but a very old quilter once told me it was. :roll: I put a jean/denim needle in my sewing machine, dont thread it and make sure the bobbin is out or empty. I then increase the stitch length to a comfortable distance and "sew" my quilting pattern onto the fabric sandwich. It gives me nice guidlines to follow. The holes close up when I wash the quilt.