Diana, Do you have a walking foot? That really helps. What little I have done it is so much easier.
My friend just started quilting and immediately tried machine quilting. Last week she was talking about sending everything out to be quilted she was so frustrated, almost in tears. I talked with her yesterday and she was so excited. She bought a walking foot and is machine quiltiing up a storm, and not just straight lines. Hope this helps.
Everything I read says practice, practice, practice. For me it is getting better with time.