Don't be timited just jump in. Advice is wonderul but think about the history of handquilting. The women on the frontier weren't too up tight abut the size of stitches etc. Imagine you are quilting with one of the women in a covered wagon. Sure you want your first quilt too be nice but don't worry about every thing being perfect ENJOY I love hand quilting.I'm not perfect abut I enjoy he feel . :P :P