I spray baste, then I pin or hand baste.
Use a new needle.
Use a busy print for your quilt back, it will hide a lot of mistakes.
Practice on a table topper or pot holder.
If your machine has varible speeds, slow the machine down.
Check your tension setting on a sample piece.
Make sure your quilt is supported in the back of the machine as well as the side (if your quilt hangs over the back or side, it will fight you for control)
Wear quilting gloves, if you don't have a pair use gardening gloves which has the rubber nubs. I have used these with the finger tips cut off and they work great.
Put on some music or an audio book to listen to, relax
And lastly practice, practice, practice