I have not done a lot of FMQ, but the first couple of times, I took a vanishing ink pen and drew my line on my sandwich. It turned out that I didn't follow that line too much but just having it there, gave me courage. I also found that I am better starting at the lower left and working away from myself(bringing the fabric towards my lap). Otherwise I was concentrating too much on what was now behind the machine and mostly out of sight.