Oh how beautiful and how lucky is your friend!!!!
I quilt in a hoop when i travel. I take the large hoop and "hang" it on the back of the desk chair in the hotel rooms. That will support the weight of the quilt. I would start in the middle of the quilt and work my way out - yes, it's a long way, but that's the best way I have found.
I would roll/fold up the quilt on the one side I wasn't working on to control all the extra fabric.
I hand baste my quilts before quilting. Yes, it takes some time, but i just take the radio plan on taking a few hours to do it.
I finished a Grandmother's Flower Garden that my aunt pieced by adding a border to it. That allowed me to square off the quilt. I was pleased to find some coordinating fabric. Of course, my aunt's quilt was more scrappy in nature which made it easier to add fabrics.
Good luck and enjoy finishing it so that it can be enjoyed.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]561511[/ATTACH]