Stick with it, and don't give up. If you love it, you will make it work. I have found that there are several things that go into being accurate. I am a believer in pre washing and drying fabrics, because I had one shrink under the iron on a log cabin block. Lighter weight fabrics get starched before cutting. It firms up the fabric, and makes cutting easier. If you can cut a straight line on paper, then make the fabric more paper like with the starch. It washes out and is also nicer to sew with. Use the same ruler, cutting method and cutting mat through the entire project, as well as any marking devices such as pens, pencils and such. If you make templates, double check to make sure they are all squared up and the cut is correct. I use some sort of grip on the bottom of my rulers, and make sure the fabric is gripped from top to bottom to help avoid slipping of either the ruler or fabric under the ruler. The 1/4" foot is great, but I agree that you need to double check the measurement of that foot, or the markings on the foot. I also know that on my machine, when I turn it on, it "sets" itself. So, if I have the needle moved over some, I have to make sure I manually move the needle to the position I was using when I left it. Audition your seams before sewing them. If I am working on a star, fold the fabric back on the 1/4" mark to make sure your points are where they need to be. I have had to take out a seam or two because I did not align it correctly, then I ended up with the top too long, and not enough on the bottom. If need be, pre mark the seam allowance on all edges of the fabric to help with this. Also, maybe cut your pieces a tiny bit longer to allow for this. Match your fabric edges when sewing, and go slow. Remember the feed dogs will pull the fabric, and the presser foot will stretch it as you sew. Sewing on the bias will also allow for distortion, so that's where starched fabric works very well. Also, yes, iron everything, but press it. I set the seam, then iron the seem in the direction it should go, but if you push too hard on the fabric, and stretch the fabric, that will give you some distortion. Even with all this info I have access to, and in my head, my points still don't always line up. I agree that someone else watching you may see something that you don't, so have someone watch you. I think that being consistent is what will help. I hope some of this helps you. It has for me. And, always remember, nothing in life is perfect. We are not, and nor should what we create be perfect. It's not hand made if it's perfect.