I think jumping in and doing a big one is a good idea. If you practice too much on a little one, then you'll have a harder time with the transition. I do think practicing with your index finger of your writing hand on any smooth surface helps, even without a marker or anything. Frees up your mind to go in all directions. :thumbup:

Congratulations, have fun!

I am learning to FMQ on my vintage Bernina, and love it. As soon as I get one little quilt done I'm wishing there was another one ready. I'd have to say my progress is slow, but fairly steady. Keep at it!

I just have to point out that if you got a Bernina of any age for the price of that foot, the machine was a steal! Check the price of them on eBay sometime. Hang on to that machine because she's really fine and well worth fixing if she gets a little "tired and sore" after all the years.

Mine is an 830 Record from 1972, and she serves me well, but it is not unusual to overheat the motor while doing FMQ for extended periods. It has a "fail-safe" mechanism that makes it stop dead if it exceeds a certain temperature. After 20 minutes or so it will run again as if nothing happened. It is much better to give it a brief rest now and then before it reaches that point, and keep the machine well oiled.

I learned somewhere online that you can tell the age of vintage Berninas by looking at the first 2 digits of the serial number (usually on the back above the motor housing) and adding 60 to get the year.