Try practicing whatever you choose to do for quilting. Just make up a few "quilting sandwiches", make them as thick as your quilt, and give it a go. You can use paper towel for batting. That will help you to get the feel of FMQ, or even SITD or straight lines. It will also help you to get your tension set properly for that thickness of material. Make sure you're using a bigger needle : 80/10 or 90/12 (I think that's right, but I'm tired right now, so someone please correct me if I'm wrong). Only when you're happy with the practice fabric should you start on the quilt, especially if this is your first time. As we used to say in Graduate School: KISS: Keep it Simple and Stupid. Or in other words, don't go for anything fancy your first time out, or even second or third. And keep practicing. You'll probably have to reset the tension, and when you do, make sure your presser foot is in the DOWN position. This is very important, and not something I found in my manual, or most anywhere else for that matter. But it's essential. Don't know why, but it is.
Best of luck to you!