This is how I learned to do it in '72. No internet at the time either, so no helpful hints. Started with 2 completely made by hand quilts which took a year each to complete. Then did an embroidery kit top and hand quilted it. Enjoyed all three. Many years went by with no quilting and I got back into it about 6 months ago...and WOW!!! just the cutting mat and rotary cutter alone is such an improvement over the template and scissors. And learning to do FMQ on top of that! Awesome improvements!