Does it matter what the back looks like? If you've achieved 'nice and even' on the top side, I'd be delighted with that!
I've been hand quilting a Hawaiian needleturn quilt and started with a big hoop. My stitches were huge. I got rid of the hoop for the outer edges and now my sts are much smaller and better looking. Still not really 'nice and even', tho. I think I much prefer quilting with no hoop.