Also, using a fairly busy small-scale print will hide a lot of the imperfections.

Your local dog pound always need sleep pads for the pups. The dogs are not picky. Send them your practice pieces and uglies. They will be used.

Saving all your scraps of batting to make your practice squares is my solution when testing out new patterns or just boning up on my skills. If you have leftover fabric it can be used as well as visiting you thrift shops for cotton shirts or whatever to complete your practice square. Also you can purchase very cheap muslin to do this with also. You can come up with all sort of ideas to accomplish your goals. Happy Quilting!