First, make sure there is plenty of table space behind the machine and to the left. You don't want the weight of the quilt to hinder free movement under the needle. I don't roll my quilt, I just smoosh it as I go. I think rolling and re-rolling wastes too much time and makes the quilt too stiff to move easily.
I use Machingers gloves for better gripping power. These are my favorite because threads don't stick to them and you don't have to keep taking them off when you clip threads.
I would suggest that you take a FMQ class if you haven't already. I learned alot in the one I took, especially what I was doing WRONG! I also love books like Harriet Hargraves' Heirloom Machine Quilting, and Diane Gaudynski's Guide to Machine Quilting and Machine Quilting Guidebook.
Longarm quilting is totally different than quilting on a domestic machine. With a longarm or other frame system, you are moving the machine over the surface of the quilt. With a domestic machine, you are moving the quilt under the needle.
It takes awhile to get a rhythm going between your hand movements and machine speed. It takes TONS of practice to get to the point where you are happy with stitch length and motif shapes. I highly recommend that you make several practice sandwiches before you attempt to work on a quilt.
I see now that you are probably talking more about straight quilting with a walking foot. Alot of this post is referring to free-motion quilting. But, you still need the table space!