I would just make sure to pre-wash all fabrics to ensure all possible shrinkage has taken place, especially with the difference in fabrics. Fleece has a reputation for shrinking quite a bit. So does cotton, but not as much.

I like spray basting. Minimizes/eliminates puckering.

I'm fond of using the Topstitch needle, even in my quilting. Nice and sharp. Since you don't have to worry about stretching with the cotton, don't worry about it with the fleece. You only have to use stretch stitching when you're sewing a stretchy fabric to a stretchy fabric.

I agree with keeping the quilting simple. SITD, grid lines, etc. with a walking foot. That's what I'd do.

Sounds like you have a winner of a project there! Don't worry about it. I've mixed fabrics plenty of times without problems.

This is the second time it has been suggested to spray and I am going to try it. Thanks. The quilt is going to be small - a 40 x 60". Probably will try zigzag on the edges unless someone warns me not to.

No reason you can't zig zag on the edges.

All I can say is Good Luck! My friend does quilts all the time with fleece on the back. However, the one time I tried it was almost a disaster! I do admit, though, I didn't wash the fleece first. I did hand tie it; I had the most problems with the binding.

I'd make sure to preshirink it since you are using two different types of fabric and I'd use a walking foot as much as possible. It'll keep the two different fabrics going at the same rate.

This will be a learning experience - have not used walking foot or the spray- any particular brand?