My favorite batting is Mountain Mist Light. It is a dream to quilt through, still puffs up nicely to show off the quilting, and is nice and warm. It is also less expensive. For purists though - it is not a "natural" product. Great for wall hangings - which is a good place to start for a new hand quilter. I do not use a frame or a hoop. I hand baste 4-6" apart and quilt in my lap. You can "bend" the fabric with your non-quilting hand to get those stitches smaller. But the real answer to your question is just to keep doing it. Practice, practice, practice. The stitches will be smaller, and more even, before you know it.