Remember when you learned to write-cook-drive-sew or whatever? You couldn't do it just right the first time. It's a wonder my poor DH didn't die of ptomaine before I learned to cook! FMQ is the same way. I am a beginner, too, and I find that half an hour or so of practice a day really helps. I have 2 old sheets with an old blanket for batting on my frame. I work on it some every day, using different thread colors each day, and I can see improvement in my stitching. Not perfect yet, but I'll get there, and you will too!!!