You might want to experiment with some FMQ--I'm not great by any means! But will tackle a lap quilt size and have found that I'm getting much better. If you can set your feed dogs down and have an embroidery/FMQ foot, give it a try. I did see a tip recently that REALLY made sense--work so that you are bring the work TOWARD you instead of away--being able to actually see what you've done let's you keep track of where you are with your design. Just did this on a lap quilt and it was so much easier!