This is a habit for me, practice a bit before every FMQ session. Keep scraps of battling cut about 24" square, use left over print or plain fabric depending on technique to be worked on -- look for sheets or pillowcases or even worn out clothing to use for the fabric. You can add new top (and bottom) sandwich fabric at least one or two times to this practice piece. Also use it for trial bindings. Had a sewing teacher tell me to learn to sew a straight line, get some stripped fabric and stitch the lines, so even good to practice a little stitch in ditch before working on your project.