it does take some (practice) to learn to use a rotor cutter & mat- line up your ruler using lines on the mat to help get everything straight- hold the ruler with your fingers well away from the (cutting edge) i place a finger along the outside (opposite edge of cutting edge) to hold it from moving- place cutter along edge of ruler & roll cutter up the edge of the ruler- away from yourself- you do not have to push hard (as long as you have a good sharp blade- if you are making long cuts- stop and move your hand up on the ruler as you go along-keeping the ruler straight as you go...with practice it will be (second nature) as for hand quilting---many of us do hand quilt= many of us do both- machine quilt some projects- hand quilt others.
when learning to hand quilt consistancy is more important than stitch length- practice making your stitches as close to the same size as possible- with time you can work on making them smaller.
some people use very short needles for hand quilting (between's) some people prefer a longer needle (sharps, milner's, straws) try out a few until you find the one that fits your hand, makes it possible to create the stitches you want. Basting is important and quilt from the center out toward the edges- some people use a frame, some a hoop and some just hold their basted (sandwich) on their lap to quilt.
you may want to check the local quilt shop or guild for beginner classes, or groups to help you begin....there are also many videos & tutorials, here on the board, on u-tube and pinterest