Learning how to make a quilt. Please help!

Lately, I've been making some major changes to my sewing studio.  But, I'll talk more about that later - I'm not finished with it yet!  The reason I mention it, is that while re-organizing all of my things, I found this picture:

My First Quilt!

Pictures of the very first quilt I ever made!  I didn't even remember that pictures of this quilt existed!  I made it back in 1994, when I was in my last year of college. It was for the first friend my own age that was having a kid.  (It took all my other friends a LONG TIME before they had any off-spring!)

I don't even remember who's sewing machine I used to make this, but I do remember that although I didn't have much trouble with the piecing (yes, I'm sure I cut this out with scissors!), I really struggled with the over-all quilting.  I know I originally thought I would hand-quilt it, but decided on machine quilting, so I'd have it finished before the kid was in college himself.  It almost didn't happen!  The batting was a puffy polyester and I hadn't ever heard of a walking foot before.  It was so frustrating and such a struggle to get it finished.  The lines weren't straight at all and the stitch lengths were all over the place.  I was annoyed and disappointed and I don't think I made another quilt for about 4 years.  (The next one took years to finish as it was all hand-quilted!)

Now I quilt all the time.  And I just wish that back then, I had someone telling me all the tips and tricks to make sewing and quilting more fun and not so frustrating.  With that in mind, I'm starting a new class, held here in Berkeley (sorry, it's not web-based) called Home Ec 101 to help new quilters, or anyone struggling with sewing.  It's also for anyone who just wants some dedicated quilting time and some fun peeps to hang out and quilt with!  It starts next Tuesday, October 4th and will be held on the first Tuesday of every month at New Pieces Quilt Shop. 

Here's where I need HELP!!!

What I'm wondering is, if you're a new quilter, what are you struggling with?  And, if you're an experienced quilter, what are your words of wisdom?  I would LOVE it if you would leave comments and let me know! 

If you'd like more information on Home Ec 101, you can check it out here: http://onthedesignwall.blogspot.com/p/quilting-classes.html