Here's another suggestion ... instead of (or in addition to if your family really likes you! <g>) is a 'cheater' whole cloth. There are some with a whole cloth print on it, and others that have blocks printed so you get to practice a lot of different stitches. The print washes out so you can even display it when your done. It's called a "machine quilting skillbuilder" by RGA design (rgadesignquilts.com) - there are probably more, this is the one I found.