JustAbitCrazy

If you are looking for an easy pantograph, look for something with a fairly open pattern so if you go outside the lines you will not overlap another stitching line. Also look for a pattern which will look good if the shapes end up not consistent because you didn't follow the lines exactly: flowers are good, because they will look nice even if they are not all the same---avoid geometric repeats, which will glaringly show inconsistent sizes or shapes. Some beginning machine quilters have problems with points and avoid them at first, but I had no problem with them. One of my first pantographs was an easy holly leaf pattern with all those pointed edges on the holly leaves. The thing with points is you have to learn how long to linger at the point: too long, and you have a build-up of thread there--not long enough, and you have no point at all, but a squared off corner. When I come to a point, I think of a ping pong ball hitting a wall and bouncing off quickly, and that works for me. You said your flowers turned out aweful: it just takes practice, practice, practice. Try doing a dry run (or several) before you actually stitch, by just following the pantograph with the light until you feel comfortable stitching it well. I do that every time I start a panto, even if it's one I have done before. Also, you have to remember to look ahead of where your laser light is, so your motions are smooth. It's kind of like driving a car---you aren't looking at the pavement just ahead of your bumper. Always look ahead to the next curve, the next point, etc., and your stitching lines will flow smoothly. That's what makes it look good, not so much that you followed the line exactly.