I think it looks great! Not that there isn't room for improvement, but it really does not look like a first attempt at all! First attempts don't usually look that good. becca is right---do not make the sandwich tight in a hoop. I smoothe mine all out and tighten it to check it, then loosen the screw a bit and push my palm down in the center of the sandwich to make it loose a bit---kinda like a cat slept on it all night. You want to be able to manipulate your fabric over the needle point, as well as manipulate the needle.