I was in South Carolina last year and bought a mega quilter and frame. I wanted to do my own quilting, to save money and am doing it, but I have the same problem. I cannot do a large design without having to start and stop and it's taking me a while to get in the grove of it.
I'm planning on attending the Machine Quilters Festival in NH to get some pointers.
Guess it will just take a lot of practice.
I haven't tried to chalk a design on a quilt yet, but have a mid sized quilt to try it on. What is the best thing to mark with so that the design won't dissapear on me before I get it done?