Welcome to this board, lots of helpful people here.
I prefer to quilt 3-4" apart, no matter what batting package recommends. I don't want to maybe end up in clumps or bunches. When I straight stitch a quilt, I stitch a 1/4" from the seam. I start in the center of the quilt, go out to edge in all four directions, like a cross. I always quilt next to quilting. I mostly FMQ, large stipple, large meander.
Clamp backing that is about 2-3" larger all around to a table top. put batting and use same clamps to hold that in place, put top on batting and clamp that down. I use large safety pins and pin about every 3-4". When quilting be sure to remove pins or you can baste and remove basting after you are done quilting. Just how I do it. I hope it helps you.
There are lots of videos on youtube.com. Good luck.
Your first quilt is very pretty.