I am not particularly a seasoned quilter and I quilt by hand.
I pin the dickens out of it and then I baste like crazy. I baste it on the floor so the hardwood lets me know when I am through all 3 layers.
Two reasons for basting: I had a couple pins tear a quilt once (an old top I was finishing) and I find the pins invariably grab my thread and slow down my hand quilting.
And it is so much fun to pull the basting out as I go (you have to plan the basting to do this) ... my kids actually ask to have that task. It's like crossing out items on a to-do list!