I have been quilting less than a year and truly understand your nervousness. You are asking all the right questions and the other more experienced members of the board are giving you great advice. What I have to add is that it gets easier as you move forward. The joy of completing your first quilt is incomparable. I have a speed control on my machine and I turn it down keep from accidentally going too fast when I do SITD. I also look at the seam line, not at the needle. I started out basting with big stitches, but that caused me problems when I got the big stitches hooked on my foot. I have moved on to glue. Try to relax and enjoy the quilting process, your work looks better and you will feel better if you relax. Everyone here wishes you well.