I just did swirls as my first FMQ project. These few things helped me....I had a picture on the floor beside me and when I did closer together and medium size swirls it was easier to control. I have a pair of gloves which helped with the constant curving. It is not perfect but me for me it turned out not too bad. After a few more quilts I might feel different but then I look at my first hand quilt and I look now and I got better. Just think about it as a way to show off your blocks and keep your quilt together....Keep it simple and don't stress, your blocks are being decorated with some flare! Good Luck!!