I have had two quilts done by a long-arm quilter, and both times it was really a letdown. Yes, the quilting was beautiful, but I didn’t feel it was “my quilt” any more. The suggestion about washing the quilt afterward is right on the mark—the wrinkling covers a multitude of “issues.” I practiced FMQ on placemats and potholders, and have progressed to recently finishing a queen size quilt completely done on my domestic machine. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But it’s mine.