Good morning Norma. I have tried what you call "quilting in sections" and I really like it for some situations. I have always heard it called "quilt as you go". I was always one of those quilters that pieced the top by machine and hand quilted because I had so many disasters at machine quilting. I am making a bedspread right now for a king size bed. I just cut out 12" blocks for the top colors, 12" blocks of the bottom (in my case muslin, but you can make it reversible with any colors), and 12" blocks of quilt batting. Machine quilt any pattern in the middle but leave at least 1" open all the way around. There's some websites that can show you how to proceed from there (I'll try to find the one I used to learn on and send it to you). That is the hard part to describe how to do. write me back after you have some practice blocks made and I'll try to describe it to you if you can't find the website. Stay in touch- and happy quilting!
Beaker