May I make a suggestion? While you practice on your muslin put one color thread on top and one on bottom. That way you know what both are doing if you need to tweak the tension. If you can't find or have any cheap panels and you want to practice 'a quilt' draw 'blocks' on your muslin. You can even use the wash out markers and later wash them. YOU RE NOT ALONE! There are some out there that had their longarms set up for years before they pulled their big girl panties up and tried. You will not break it. Get a dry eraser board and 'pratice' your designs in your head. This builds muscle memory (like writing your name) What machine do you have? Play and practice, shoulders down, light hand, breath. Once you get some time in you will be fine. just don't do what I tend to do and overdo it where I'm so darn sore later. I get so wrapped up in it I forget to take breaks until a body part starts screaming LOL