Hello Andi, and welcome. Yes, it does get easier and as the rest of us have and are still doing, you will find what works best for you. There's a wonderful lotion that I use all the time to help my own rough dry hands called Gloves In A Bottle. It's non greasy, non scented and won't leave residue on your fabric. I did my first prairie points just a few weeks ago out of 2 1/2" squares---not an experience I'll soon repeat. If when hand sewing your thread is tangling try pulling it gently across a candle every now and then and don't make it too long. When winding a bobbin make it as tight and even as possible. And read what Eddie has attached to at the end of each of his posts. :D