I am new to FMQ. I'm not waiting until I am proficient to quilt my finishes. I just plowed into it. The judge at the quilt show judging my nautilus pixel commented that my loops needed to be smoother. I already knew that, and it did not hurt my feelings. It received a third place ribbon, but I feel that if I quilted by check it would have been first. I am happy knowing I did the whole process by myself!