lorli

I need the most basic advice about machine quilting. I've never done any before. Every bed size quilt I have made was given out to a long arm quilter and I have hand quilted wall hangings and small projects.

Finally, I finished a pieced quilt, started more than 2 years ago. I stopped quilting entirely then because of illness and finally got back to it a couple of months ago and it's done! It is about 70x90" and pieced (thanks, Kris, for the pattern!), combining 1" strips with 7.5" squares. It is supposed to be for a Christmas present, so I had better hurry up.

Here come the questions:
1. When I sandwich it, do I baste or use safety pins?
2. I don't have a large table or access to one and I don't even know how or where I can sandwich it.
3. Quilt-in-the-ditch would probably look best, but do I have to quilt every ditch? Some are just an inch apart.
4. The batting package says it can be quilted 10" apart, is that true? It seems like a lot.
5. Do you think I have time to do it before Christmas? The backing and binding are all cut and pieced together.
6. Any suggestions about practicing before starting?

Thank you in advance, I want to start but I'm getting really nervous about it. Ay advice at all would be wonderful.

Lorli