You know, I am taking a freemotion class at Joann right now. I'm the only one in the class...in fact...I've been the only one in all of my quilting classes so far...anyhow...my teacher had me practice with no thread and putting 8 1/2x11 paper through my machine (feed dogs down of course)...just to practice moving the paper around.
Then, I worked on following the lines in a bandana as practice. :) It's all been very helpful.
She kept all of the 8 1/2x11 sheets I practiced on to show how much better I have gotten through PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. :D