Don't worry, if you've got an Esante, you'll probably not have a single problem with embroidering the quilting designs. My problems came from the fact that I was using that Futura. (which is the worst sewing purchase I've ever made in my life! Darn thing has spent more time in the shop than it's spent sewing!)
After I hooped each design area, I used binder clips to roll up the quilt around the edges and keep it sort of piled up on the machine. I clipped everything to hold it out of the way of the needle and prevent the quilt from interfering with what the machine was trying to do. This apparently works for thousands of other embroidery machines, but mine wasn't having any of it. :lol:
Serger thread is only $2/cone so I don't worry about the cost at all. The little Brother serger that I use for everything makes some noise, but it's actually quieter than my Babylock or Huskylock.