It takes me a while to make the first cut on new material. I look at it and wonder if I am making the right choice for this particular fabric. I can envision all types of projects I could use it for. Once I've made the first cut I'm O.K. Sometimes it takes me days before I'll cut into it. You just won't get much sewing done if you don't cut your material. It's nice you have a MIL that will help, but it's time to do it yourself! Enjoy all the parts of sewing, even the cutting. Buy more than you really need if you are afraid of making a mistake. Then you have extra do work with.