you might practice machine quilting on smaller ' utility' pieces before you work on a quilt, in case, like me;.... you don't enjoy the machine quilting part. plus you can get used to how you need to move tha fabric, how fast the machine needs to go.... etc. I tied my first few quilts,the patterns were geared more to that style. Good Luck & don't forget, ... what ever way you choose , you will get better as you progress.