If you haven't started on it, give me a call later tonight. We are on our way home and will be home all week. I can help you out. I like doing SITD with something besides a straight stitch. It's too hard to stay in the ditch!

Also if you can post a picture it might help too.

Ditto for me.

I agree with both schools of thought. Diving right in a FMQ on a real quilt IS a great way to learn. By the time it is done, you'll have no more fear!! But the caveat is - I wouldn't learn on a quilt of real value to me. Make something that you'd feel fine about donating to a charity - even if it's cut up for your favourite dog rescue!! Once you get over the fear - the sky's the limit :)

I FMG with large stipples and quilt in rows, trying to avoid thick intersections. I pin my sandwich 3 - 4" apart. I start in the center and FMQ down,up,across each way and quilt a quater section at a time. I always quilt next to quilting except to start. I quilt the quilt center, then quilt the borders. My Daughter did it opposite of mine, got to the center and had a horrible big pleat on the back. She had to rip it all out and start over. She has decided that doing it the way I do works much better.

It's the picture in my profile and avatar now. The center is 1 big piece. It's birds,and the backing is pieced from colors on the front in the 2nd border.