This board has helped me tremendously. I read all of it every day. Many thanks to Patrice for getting this out here.
First thing I was doing wrong was my machine was a free arm. I needed a flat bed.
I took some classes and that helped. Then I combined two internet teachers; Bonnie Hunter and Eleanor Burns. Bonnie Hunter says put the cutting line ON the fabric. Eleanor Burns says cut it large so you have some to shave off. So I combined those two things. When I cut I put the line on the fabric and then I give myself a little smidge extra. It seems to work for me.