Since you haven't hand quilted before absolutely do some small project or two, as mentioned such as pot holders or a pillow. Then you can get the feel for it. And the type of batting can affect the stitch length. Polyester type batting will be hard to get as small a stitch length as cotton or wool batting because it has a lot more loft. Maybe use some different batting in your practice pieces. (not poly in potholders!) perhaps you could make a couple of accent pillows to co-ordinate with the quilt and do some practice quilting on them.