I'm so glad you posted those questions. I have almost the exact same problems..LOL
I too have a baby quilt I need to get finished by the weekend and I have never machine quilted anything except a couple potholders. I will not be doing a running stitch across the quilt though. I think stitching in place would work well. Can't wait to give it a try.
What if I want to stencil on a design for border that is loopy? Do I put the feed dogs down and do it like FMQ or just normal with a walking foot. I feel so ignorant about MQ.
Lynette