Set your machine at a slower speed then floor it with the foot pedal. By doing this you have one less thing to concentrate on. You might need to adjust up or down to find a comfortable speed for you. I also agree with the others on quilting gloves. I've used both Fons & Porters and Machingers. I like the Machingers best. Another thing I found useful with my domestic machine is a Super Slider. Some have said they didn't stay put and were stitched into the quilt but I didn't have that problem. I'd rinse mine often to restore the stickiness.