I always found it too awkward working with paper pinned on ... and then of course, peeling it away, without disturbing the stitches, was another deterrent.
While this is not as precise as following a traced design ... I draw the design on with white chalk (or if a light fabric, frixxion pen). If I don't like what I draw, I backtrack, erase it, and re-do. Then when I get to the FMQ part, I don't necessarily stay right on the line, and let the FMQ part truly take over!
Years ago, I took a FMQ course with an amazing teacher who taught us to be "consistently inconsistent". IOW don't stick 100% to a design, because then if you have an oopsie, then it shows. That really got into my head and let me get going with FMQing.
When I am really in the zone ... I might just draw the stem of a feather, with no feathers to give me a bit of a guide ... or might be really risque and go with no markings, especially if it is a no-feather design.
I love FMQing ... just don't get doing it enough. My winter plan is to get back to my happy place with it!!
