Okay. So, what's the problem? I buy affordable fabric. I use whatever thread I can find. Even use some that's still on the wooden spools. I sew by hand. My machine is not fancy. Never had done FMQ. Never even seen a darning foot in real life. I can sew a perfect 1/4 seam by hand but not on the machine. My seams fall wahere they may. And, I probably break every rule there is when it comes to ironing. Because I don't. I don't prewash unless the fabric has something on it. And, guess what!!I have won awards!! I'm sure you will too. Don't second guess your work. A lot of these fancy tools and gadgets aren't necessary for good quilting. If it was, we wouldn't have a flag! and our forefathers would have all froze to death. I'm sure your work is fine!!