One thing no one has asked are your feeddogs working? truth be told I sewed for 6 months on my last machine without realizing my feeddogs were clogged. They were not working at all, I cleaned them up and worked like a charm. Sewing straight is easier when your following the edge of the foot in my opinion but I did put painters tape as a guide when I started. I usually have my right hand guiding the material from the back to keep it straight but switch it to the front when I need to. The thing is if you concentrate on sewing straight your hands do there thing. Don't concentrate on your hands instead concentrate on sewing and your hands will naturally go where they need to. Hope that helps I also found that the right chair makes all the difference you feel less awkward! Happy quilting