Sounds like you are doing it right, but it does take practice. You have to match the speed of your hands to the speed of your feet. So give yourself a pat on the back, you did it, you really started FMQ'ing. So just know it will take a lot of practice.There is a good sight with a lot of help and info on it: http:/daystyledesigns.com. I learned a lot from her.
Something that might help is to make 10" pot holders, using fmq as the design. Last year I made a bunch of them and gave them away as X-mas gifts. It sure helped me with my fmq, and the family loved them.