newbee3

use thread that matches the fabric for color and it won't be as noticible then as you progress you will be getting better.

quiltingweb

I have a platform that I can use with my long arm, Nolting calls it their "Ruler Mate." It replaces the small area below the needle with a circular area, about 12 inches across. With this under my quilt, I can use a thick plexiglass ruler with straight and curved edges. (I got it at JoAnn in their sewing machine area.) I tried it for the first time on my last quilt and it really works. I was stitching straight, on the diagonal, normally tough for me. I think it works without the platform, but a lot easier with it. Check with your dealer if they have such a thing

margecam52

Don't watch the needle...look just at the stitches just a bit in front of the hopping foot (or whatever direction you need to go in), and this will help.
Try it on paper... can't draw a straight line on paper? Try looking about an inch in front of the pencil as you draw...your hand will follow your eyes...and you will be surprised how good you can draw a line after a couple of tries.

On feathers, unless I'm doing the hump/bump kind..I just stay close to the past line...and don't worry about keeping the next feather exactly on the line of the last one..as long as you are consistant in how you do them...won't matter...you will see how great they look that way. Again, if you are trying to stay right on the line of the last feather, don't look at the needle...look at the line of stitches you are going over...just a bit in front or back of the hopping foot...your hand will follow where your eyes are looking.