I have another suggestion for quilt number 2. Often I will put hearts or some other embroidery on my quilt tops. I do this before I put the backing on. I usually attach the batting and top using 505, rather than stabilizing. I embroider what I want embroidered by hand or machine. Sometimes I even minimally stitch in the ditch so that the batting is secure. Then, I add the backing and quilt all three together, sometimes adding more stitching in the ditch or some particular design once the back is at least minimally attached to the batting. This way, I don't have to pin the three together and I can embroider designs more easily. There is no reason you have to add your designs when quilting. They can be done beforehand. You can even embroider on the top w/o anything other than stabilizer.