the main thing i notice is the crooked lines, something i also do, even now after several quilts. The fixes for that are marking you quilting line by using the painters tape, marking with chalk, soap, marking pencil etc until you get really good at judging that 1/4" line out. i find that if i don't mark some quilting lines are 1/4" out and some are more like "in the ditch". I've just learned to use thimble and for years use my fingernails . The thimble is nice if you can get accustomed to one. i use one that pushes on the side versus the top. i do recommend getting the little piece of rubber you use to pull needle through if you load it with more than 2 stitches. i can load a #10 needle with 4-5 stitches which makes them more consistent in size and straighter than taking a new needle full every 2 stitches.