Hey Angel Girl:
I also a Pa girl would love to help. Quilting is one of my passions, I
love to get the quilt to that point. For a first quilt, I would recommend quilting in the ditch until you perfect your stitches.
The Table Runner you could just put a backing on and turn inside
out, you don't have to actually quilt it. But again I would just
follow the seams until you are comfortable. What kind of frame
are you using. I do love the PVC ones, because you can turn
them and make them taunt or loose as you like. Get yourself
a size 9 quilting needle to start, you can get smaller ones as
you grow. I would use a backing that is not plain that way you
won't be disappointed in your first stitches.