I'm not AlleyCat, but I can answer your question on floating the top. This means the backing fabric, top and bottom, is rolled on to the rollers of the long arm machine frame, the batting is then laid on the backing and secured, I pin mine, and the top is then placed on top of the batting and sewn in place through the batting and backing. The top is not attached to a leader or rolled on the roller, thus "floating the top" and can be adjusted and moved to fit the back area much easier than if it was sewn to a leader and rolled on to the roller. Hope this is clear enough for you.