I recommend that your first machine quilting project be simple and engage the feed dogs for best control. A walking foot experience is a great start. Stitching in the ditch with the walking foot is a great way to start. And, in order to show off your new skills I think the idea of echoing once or twice around the design is great. Your table runner will be quite attractive. When I was learning to FMQ I liked to use stencils for my designs. Then, I could concentrate on my stitching rather than creating a design as I was trying to learn to control my stitching. I really enjoy the quilting process and do most of mine on my DSM. I am learning to long arm at the local store which has a rental unit. Enjoy the journey.