since you are only one third done quilting it, you should first baste the rest of the quilt. I would baste down the sides with each advance, as always, then baste across about every 4-6". I found those long threads in between get caught on everything and break very easily once the quilt is off the frame, and sometimes even on the machine itself underneath while still on the frame. For this reason i no longer just make a single stitch for the basting---it'll pull right out. I would recommend you make several short stitches in a row or stitch a small circle instead, something which won't pull out when the long threads catch and break. After doing all the horizontal basting, and small stitch basting along the bottom edge, i usually go back and put in some vertical basting lines, but not as close together. When you reload later, you will only have to attach to two leaders, one at the top and one at the bottom. You should have no problems.
