You have some great answers here. I'm self taught also, and taking some time on line with youtube videos is a nice help. So much out there to watch. Stitches will vary as you are starting out, and don't let that worry you. Work on practice pieces. My first project was a king size quilt as a gift. You would laugh at how big my stitches were. It really does get better with practice. Your left hand will be your "eyes" behind the quilt. As you watch the videos, you will see a couple of ways to work you needle. Rock it or poke it. I found that poking the needle through the top, and coming back up through the bottom worked better for me when I started out. I had more control over the fabric. Also, it was tight in a hoop, keeping it flat. Rocking a needle through came later, and you need more slack. Georgia Bonesteel gives great tutorials. Check if your local quilt shop has classes, or a group that you can sit in on and watch. You could also contact a local quilt guild to find if someone will work with you. Feel free to PM me if I can help you in any way. I understand your challenge.