My first, quilting project that I started was a hand pieced 'Grandmother's Flower Garden,' that I made the templates from construction paper. It's still not finished and the dye lot of the fabric can not be matched. the 'fabric store,' where I purchased the fabric has been out of business for years. It's a 35+ years old UFO boxed in my storage room. So, answer to one of your questions is: I learned to take smaller stitches in hand piecing, I learn the understanding of placement of shapes of that pattern. In those days of my beginning there was no rotary cutter, no mat or rulers. Everything was done by scissors and needle and thread. I realize over half way in I had took on more than I could handle. I sometimes take the piece out and the ladies at my quilting circle give me ideas on how to finish it, but I just bring it home and box it up again and store it away.