I have been quilting on a frame since 2005. In that time, I have changed machines twice (on the same frame) and then upgraded to a true long arm. Each time I changed something, I had to work my way back to a panto. With the long arm, it was at least 6 months before I felt like I had good enough control to do it decently. Other people said it looked ok to them..but my eye said YUCK! Hang in there!