Catherine, this quilt was made for my grand son .
I made it then took that blue pen that is washable (you can buy at Walmart)and a long ruler and marked a 2 inch grid . Then I put it with the batting and backing and pin,pin,pin all over. Some times I even come back and do long basting stitches up and down the quilt then I can remove the pins ( they get in the way when you are quilting ) . I did machine quilted this one only b/c I did not have much time . The baby came 7 weeks eary and I was working on a quilt for a GIRL and then we got a BOY instead . DR. made a big mistake 4 OS and always said a girl . But we a so happy with our little Dakota we would not trade him for a girl!!
Okay , and when you bring it to the machine you can start in one corner and work youself down one side then work on the other side starting in the center again. I hope this make sence to you.
betty