Your quilt is a geometric design and so I think the quilting should be angular. If you want to try out a design, mark it out on clear plastic such as a sheet protector and lay it on your quilt. You will be able to see how the design fits the block without actually marking on the quilt. There are little rubber finger tips for using with FMQ. I use these because they are small and I only wear them on my pointer fingers and thumbs and it gives me a better grip on the fabric. I also find that it makes a difference how high my arms are in relation to the bed of the machine. We have an adjustable chair so I experiment to see where my best level is. Your top is so beautiful. Maybe you should be a piecer and let someone else do the quilting.