Johnette-
Your quilt came out great!!!! It is very hard to believe that this was your first attempt at applique or free motion quilting.
I use heat and bond LITE (do not use any heat and bond except lite!!!) It is not stiff when you use it for fusing and it does not gum up your needle when you sew through it. Try it and see if you have more success with it. PS--you can get it at Walmart if you still have a sewing section.