You are definitely not alone with the free motion quilting. I have told my husband several times, that this could win at the quilt show if I didn't quilt it. But, I'd rather have a not perfect project and do it myself than turn it over to a long armer. The best advice I have ever been given about free motion is to listen. Match your speed of your hands to the sound of the machine. It doesn't help with length of stitches but it helps with eye lashes on the back and things like that.