Well as you said stippling can be difficult, I have been teaching myself also. I did find that you don't have to go fast like it may have been originally stated to do for random stippling. I have learned I can use my stencils, trace on pattern, and stipple it, makes it lots easier to follow a pattern. I have invested in two pattens and book one is follow the line quilting designs it has full size patterns for blocks and borders by Mary Covey, and also one called twice quilted designs for continuous line quilting by Gloriane Cubbage. I bought them at Joann fabrics they are 26 dollars but used my 50-40 percent off coupon and they were well worth it. I try to find things that are continous and then trace on quilting paper, or pencil on material, or use freezer paper for shapes to go around. I also found that if you use the same thread as material it hides those non-perfect stitches. Also don't be so hard on your self, you will get better, and don't look at it so hard. I found it looks better when done then when first starting. Easier to pick at it, so wait.
It is rather fun, and your stitches don't have to be perfect. Once you get the hang of it and go at a regular speed they are fairly consistent, but after a wash and the full view it usually look great.