Stepht, hugs to you. I am glad that you are feeling better.
I started FMQ with tiny 6 inch sandwiches of kids fabric. I also made sure that I used a very thin batting. It's been a lot of fun and I have definitely learned a few things:
-for some reason, I FMQ better from the bottom left than from the top.
-I do a better job when I stop thinking so darn much!!!
-So what if my tension is not even--the dang thing still stays together!
-Use a thread that contrasts with the fabric--MUCH easier on the eyes!
-Did you know that there are 'machine quilting' needles?? They actually make it easier!
-Going slower does NOT make the stitches more uniform, just closer together. But thank goodness for variable speed control on my Janome or else I think I would have sewn over my fingers!
Since I had such small blocks, I decided to kill two birds and try putting them together using the reversible quilt method (I think it's a tutorial on this site). Again, my seams on the reverse side are not completely even but I didn't miss the sashing either. Eventually the DGD's will have dolly blankets and I will have become brave enough to tackle the 90 (yes that is ninety!!) 12 inch pieced oriental blocks that are waiting for my ability and experience to catch up with the picture in my head.