Wanted to FMQ my Valentines table runner today. Good thing I decided to do a practice bit first - total failure. I know I was being consistent with foot peddle and hand movement speeds but I ended up with long and short, loose and tight and skipped stitches. What's going on? It makes me think that I'm not being consistent with the speed of moving the fabric. Should I run the needle faster? Is it okay to use a fast needle and move hands slowly - would that be better? Any advice greatly appreciated.

I'm posting a couple pictures in my album because it won't let me do it here. You can't really see the loose stitches, but you can see the short and long ones.