Too late for me, as I just finished the quilt yesterday and it was a bit of a struggle, but I just learned that if you want to quilt these fabrics, or anything really thick on your mid arm, you can actually raise your hopping foot.
Here's a video from Handi-Quilter to show you how. I'll know for next time.
Watson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chk5...&index=14&t=0s