When I hand quilted, I used a large oval hoop rather than a frame. This made the quilt more portable. I basted either with thread and big stitches or with safety pins. Make sure your layers are totally flat and taut when you baste. Use between needles - they have big eyes just right for the quilting thread, which is a bit stiffer than regular sewing thread. It is coated so that it doesn't tangle as much. I used to use Coats & Clarks but now I use Guterman's, available at Joann's and maybe other chain stores. Why not try hand quilting a small piece before starting on your big quilt? You'll get a feel for the "rhythm" of quilting that way.