I also FMQ on my domestic machine. I love the tutorials put out by Patsy Thomas and also Leah Day on
www.daystyledesigns.com. I am fairly comfortable with stippling/meandering. Practice is crucial. It did take a little bit for me to get into a groove with the things one needs to sync when FMQing (speed of machine along with speed of moving the quilt under the needle). For a time I couldn't seem to get it right, and wasn't sure what to change (did I need to slow down or speed up the machine? Was I moving too fast or too slow?). And then finally one day, voila! Something got into sync for me and I got it - I got how it felt when it all worked together.
That said, I will also tell you that what is easy on a practice sandwich - doesn't go over as easily when working with an actual quilt on the machine. I was doing wonderful swirls/clouds on my practice sandwich. When you add in the bulk of the quilt though, well - that's another thing to master. I did do it - and it got easier as I went along. I am convinced - it can be done, one just has to be willing to put in the practice. Watch these tutorials - they are very encouraging.
Also, it doesn't have to be perfect to look very nice. My meandering isn't always perfect. Every now and again I get an oopsie and cross lines. By the time I wash the quilt and it crinkles up, the overall effect is pretty. I am happy with it, my family is happy with it. The only ones to know all may not be how it should be (in a perfect world) - is another quilter. Not everyone is happy with this though (less than perfection). Only you know which level you would be comfortable at. If you end up hating your quilt every time you look at it because you can't see past what isn't perfect - that is something to consider. So much time goes into making a quilt top - you want to be happy with it when it is completed.
One thing that occurred to me the other day as I was practicing my meandering is that it was getting easier to look ahead to where I wanted my needle to go next - and that I was getting more proficient at working back into spaces I missed and getting back out - without constantly starting/stopping. This is progress! And with that I decided I was gaining enough control that I now want to start trying to trace some patterns onto some practice sandwiches and follow the lines.
All of this to say - I do believe it can be done and it can be done well. Just depends on how much practice you are willing to put in if you decide you want to master this.
Plus - this board is such a wealth of information and experience (and encouragement). Such a help!!