do a search of gfg quilts to get ideas of how they are quilted...there are lots of options...i found a wonderful great big book at the library called "America's Glorious Quilts"
it has some wonderful pictures of gfg's
it is totally your choice as far as hand or machine- both are fine and a personal choice. I am a long-armer and the first time a lady brought me a totally hand pieced quilt- i about had a heart attackK!!
called her 3 times asking if she was sure this is what she wanted---and what she would have done if she were to hand quilt it...it was scary!
but i quilted it- she loved it...and for some reason this year i have received a number of them to do...seems hand piecing is maybe becoming more common- but then...lets get it done...