Originally Posted by katier825
In addition to the darning foot, you should make up several practice sandwiches and just start practicing. If you make them fat quarter size, they are easy to handle. Once you get comfortable, try on a small quilt or wall hanging. I found that at the beginning, I was more comfortable using thread that blended, so the mistakes weren't so noticeable. I've only recently started using contrasting threads.
Have fun!
I agree with all of that and I also found that for learning to control and feel comfortable with stitching to try 'writing' nursery rhymes or song lyrics or names and addresses. It's surprising how soon you start to feel you're mastering the process.