When I first started LA I chose a quilt I didn't care about as my first "sacrificial Lamb". You will know quick enough after your lesson if you want to do your surf song bargello or wait until you have a few more quilts under your belt. Unlike many, I free motioned several quilts before doing a panto. I agree with Kathy that a bargello is a good candidate for a panto but I don't think I would attempt it as my first quilt after taking a lesson. You will worry too much about "ruining" it. Please note that you will not "ruin" it but we are always so hyper-critical of our own work that I know the first time you stray off the line or zig when you should have zagged you will think to yourself that you have "ruined" your quilt. Anyway, I recommend your first longarming attempt be on a quilt you don't care if you "ruin" it.
Edited to add, before loading that quilt I practiced for a week on a scrap yard of quilt sandwich. I practiced everything I wanted to try on my first quilt and other stuff too. So don't be surprised if after your lesson you don't hit the ground running. I'm not aware of too many people who do.
Last edited by feline fanatic; 03-26-2015 at 07:33 AM.