Free-motion is still a struggle. But i can't give up! I'm a working girl, so I don't have time to practice until I get good at it. I can't get the design even, and I can't end and begin without a mess. I do a little better when I use stencils, then free-motion on the lines. And background fills are easier than borders, block designs or edge to edge. Pantographs are a good way to go free-motion, but far from perfect for me.
When rulers first came out, I thought, "that looks pretty lame." But I love my rulers, so much!