You need to just jump in. The water's fine. Many of us are too critical or our own work. I can't get the hang of staying exactly on the line for stitch in the ditch, but I have also found no one who receives my quilts complains about it. Try free motion using your machine with the frame, once I tried it I love it. It is sooo much easier. When I can't decide on what color to use I go with invisible thread on top and match the bobbin thread to the back.