I like to try any new quilting design on my white board before I commit to thread on a quilt! Practice with your elbow up, you are teaching your arm and shoulder the movements. If you put your elbow or wrist down, you are training your hand only. Use low odor dry erase markers (ask me how I know!) Karen says that everyone will have their own "style' of McTavishing. Its not a 'perfecting' kind of technique. Its what works for you! Have fun 'doodling' with thread...