You will definitely need different needles depending on whether you use perle cotton or quilting thread. Here is a website that gives a recommendation for a needle to use with #8 perle cotton:
https://sunny-day-supply.myshopify.c...le-cotton-tips
One thing I don't see mentioned is batting. The batting you choose can make quilting easier or harder to get the needle through. I do not recommend Warm and Natural batting for hand quilting because its layer of scrim creates a lot of drag on the needle. Hobbs 80/20 is much easier to quilt through and has some loft. If you want flat, not loft, then Quilter's Dream cotton is a good choice. Both are much easier to hand needle than W&N.
Edit: These are the needles recommended for #8 perle cotton in the website above:
https://sunny-day-supply.myshopify.c...tility-needles
I haven't checked, but they may be available at JoAnn Fabrics, or possibly even at Walmart.
Edit 2: You can choose either regular hand quilting or big stitch quilting. It is a design decision. However, big stitch quilting will go much faster.