I am new to LA quilting. I have quilted 10 practice quilts. I started with a panto on the first, then a panto and borders on the next. I tried something new on each one, something a little more advanced than the last. I really enjoy free hand quilting most. When I am deciding what design to use, I hang the quilt where I have to either walk around it or walk up on it and let it talk to me. They always do. I always have things in mind that I want to try so when one comes along that fits one of those, I get excited. Feathers are fun but I suggest marking the center line at first with chalk so you start and end up where you want to. And leave ruler work alone until you have more experience. I learned the hard way. LOL