As far as using your laser and pantograph's try to make your laser finer, you can do this by putting a pin hole in a piece of painters tape and wrapping the laser with it. when I started quilting with the LA I was never 100% happy until I made the light finer. Good luck remember to have fun. I'm a little envious that your husband likes to quilt on the long arm too my DH is very supportive but wouldn't dream of touching the handles of my machine.