Don't give up! I've been quilting for a few years now but I usually send my quilt to a LA. I'll FM on small projects but send the larger ones off. I'm newly retired so I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and do more quilts myself. A friend of mine who teaches FM told me to have a busy print as your backing (hides mistakes). Adjust your tension on a sample before you start. Make sure your quilt is supported so the weight of the quilt doesn't pull. And to relax! Listen to an audio book or a CD