Coming a bit late to this party, lol, but I want to add that I'm so happy you didn't give up on it. My only suggestions would be to use a longer stitch and space your cross-hatching much further apart. I agree with the person who said you don't want to lose your lovely pattern to the quilting. I have done cross-hatch a few times and it's never easy to avoid those little "issues", but they do mostly come out in the wash!!
A longer stitch leaves a little bit more room for the fabric to adjust under each stitch which gives you a little more room to adapt as you come to each intersection.
I actually think this particular quilt would do great with a loose and easy leaves and vines type pattern that you create as you go, like free motion, only you can do it with the feeds up... I have done it myself! Big leaf in a heart shape, vine over to another heart leaf, vine over... gentle curves and changes in direction.. it's kinda fun, even on my DSM.