The fabric and batting you choose for the piece makes all the difference. Without knowing I choose batiks for my first hand quilt and it has been a challenge the whole time. Batiks have a tighter weave so they are harder to needle through. So, for example if you choose a lighter cotton and a wool batt instead of batiks with a cotton batt you'll have an easier time making nice even stitches. If you can get a copy of Roxanne McElroy's book That Perfect Stitch from the library (it's out of print) it talks all about using the right materials. Good Luck!
P.S. In the end you're just going to have to let go and enjoy yourself and realize it's not going to be perfect anyway - that's the beauty of hand made! :lol: