Baste the layers together and then if machine quilting I recomend a wavy line approach. Sticting in the ditch is actually quite and aquired and practiced skill. It's way easier than Free motion quilting, but if you have for example sashing rather than trying to keep to a line, just wander down the middle with a gentle wave. You can do that with the walking foot on. far easier than trying and failing to stitch on a line.
Pay attention to the batting instructions about quilting distances. It varies greatly from manufacturer and product so keep a check. Even if two wadding look the same they may behave quite differently.
Before you baste do you need to shrink your batting? Check the package.
Plan out how you want to quilt your piece and then sleep on it. Take a picture of your quilt and print a few copies and draw your plan out on it. You can try different designs and then plan your attack.
Once you do get to quilting, relax remember to breathe and have a "re-heatable" dinner on standby for the family. Once you get going you may not want to stop!!!
test the tension on your machine on a little test sandwich with a few scraps of your fabrics and the batting you are using. You may have to change the tension quite a bit on your machine or maybe not at all. but better to test on a bit rather than have it go wrong on your precious top.
If this is your first top and quilt you might want to just get a couple of old cotton sheets and layer them up and have a play. That way you won't be nervous about your top.
Post us a picture We'd love to see it.
becks