on the batting i agree w sherry. i have hand quilted kingsize on down to miniatures. i use a hoop. because of my back i cannot sit at a frame, cannot even sit in a chair for very long ..sewing now is a pain, literally, since i don't have room to set up the table hubby built me where i can stand to sew. but for hand quilting in a hoop i recline in my recliner, hoop up on my knees and rest of quilt spread out on my legs. not so heavy or unmanageable that way. to change position of quilt in the hoop, i take the quilt to spare bedroom, lay out on bed & reposition. i have always hand basted for hand quilting ..it does take time ..but it works much better for me than the safety pins which i tried for machine quilting.