I quilt the entire quilt. I just stuff it through and then fluff it up. I smooth out where I am quilting at the time. I also use an ironing board on my left side to help hold the quilt up so the weight doesn't drag it away from what I am trying to do. I do all the quilt in the ditch first as that kind of locks everything in place, then I proceed to do whatever other quilting I want to do.
Good luck and most importantly...have fun!