Like you, I attempted to do my very first bed size quilt by machine. I got the center block done and realized very quickly that I would ruin my beautiful top if I attempted any more by machine so I hand quilted it. Yes it took years to complete but it was worth it. Your top is so pretty, I would get a few more smaller quilts under my belt before attempting this, or you can do what I did and finish it up by hand. I love knowing how to handquilt as well as machine quilt.
I highly recommend Harriett Hargrave's book "Heirloom Machine Quilting" for loads of tips and advice. Diane Gaudynski's book "Guide to Machine Quilting" is also great.
To this day I will not machine quilt on my domestic. I got a LA.
First quilt handquilted, that green LeMoyne star to the left of the basket is the lone MQ block
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