I took a class in FMQ from a long-arm quilt shop and one of the best things I learned was to get a piece of plexi glass and put blue tape around the edges. Use a dry air marker and practice making designs. You have to be able to do the design with your hand before you can master it on the machine. I drew a design 40-50 times on the glass and then just wiped it off and started over until I felt I had mastered it. It really took away the intimidation.