Saw your nearly-finished photo. The project is wonderful. You are off to a good start.
I'm so glad you were helped by the quilters on this board. Everyone is so kind and if one thing doesn't work, another usually does.
As for FMQ....when I started out someone told me to sing or hum Camptown Races while I quilted. It helped with the movement of quilt and needle. The needle has to move faster than the quilt itself.
Good luck and keep practicing.