First a disclaimer -- I'm pretty clueless myself. I just finished quilting a throw quilt 55 x 70 ish on my cheapie Brother machine setting on a card table. Having your machine flush with the table might be easier but you can do it without that.
Check out YouTube for videos of everything quilting. There are many showing how to do different designs and even some showing how to build a quick cheap table for "flush mounting".
Don't worry. You will get tons of great advice on this board.