I took a certification class and rented time before I got my Gammill. The class and rental time was at a local quilt shop so very professionally done. I learned how to load/unload, start and stop the thread. Some basics about tension, etc. And used a pantograph to quilt my first quilt when I rented time. the 2nd one I FMQ and it definitely looks like my first FMQ! the more work you do on your DSM with FMQ, the easier it is on the LA.
Based on your creative piecing work, I look forward to see what you do on a LA!