I haven't read all the replies yet but a friend of mine swears by the "box of wine" method of FM quilting. Practice and drink. After you've practiced some and start on your project have a class or 2 of wine to loosen you up.
Oh, and it holds together anounce it a "design element" I meant for it to look like that. Unless, like I did once with my tension not correct, you pull one string and everything comes out...