Very interesting, I am self taught, and this is the only way I do it. I line everything up then I put my binding on first and then quilt, but I only hand quilt. And I dont do anything elaborate usually geometric shapes or outline blocks with embroidery thread. I get batting that can be quilted 8" apart so I don't have to be very close, although I am normally about 4" apart in my quilting. My focal point is the colors and design I use for the quilt top, not the quilting itself.