While I cannot help you with any advice I am complimenting you on your beautiful quilt.

A good solution, Irish Rose! I, quilt on my 401A on my dining room table. It's not easy, but it works.

Have you ever thought of making a test strip of say 18" x 12" wide first to see how it goes.

This youtube tut is super great.....gave me some really great ideas......how to build your own
super large....super flat quilting table......I love it when one of us gets a 'light-bulb moment"

I think the greens are bright and beautiful with black. Can't answer your free motion question.

"Two things" - Purchase a "personal table" at Office Max-they are a little larger than the TV tray tables. Ht. is adjustable and great for your sewing machine. (I have three of them for all three of my machines.) Next: Go to Home Depot and get an 18 x 24 piece of 1/4" clear acrylic. (Cost is about $20.00) Have a friend cut an opening in the acrylic and attach dowels for legs. Works perfect for giving you a great flush sewing table. Again, I made one for each of my own machines. (I'm 70 years old and did this by myself so if I can do it, anyone can do it.) Wouldn't sew without them and what's better yet, it all fits in my suitcase for travel to workshops and quilt groups. Good luck!! You'll wish you had done this ages ago. I've used mine to FMQ six large quilts, up to 115 x 115 so they do work well. I speak from experience!!

I would very strongly recommend you do a search on youtube and watch as many as you can. There are probably a hundred different pattern possibilities out there from simple stippling, loop d loops (my personal favorate) to hearts and leaves and feathers......for what it is worth, I will just throw this out there for you to consider....I have quilted a number of my 'very colorfull' quilts with clear thread (think it was poly).....that way the quilting does not really jump out and bite your nose (not that its not cute enough) but I think sometimes with such a stricking quilt pattern as yours you want it to take center stage...and that is just my opinion as humble as it is.....

Love your colors. Go for the free motion...you have a perfect piece to keep you focused....start in the middle....what is the pattern?

Holice,
I did that too but put some stretchy purple flowered fabric that I won't use in a quilt between the foam and plastic.

I have FMQ several quilts and I do not have a special table. My table is a small plastic card table. I have to take frequent breaks because my shoulders are hunched up in order to quilt. After some practice you can do it. You don't have to have any thing special... Now it may make it easier :-) but its not necessary. Good luck. Your quilt is beautiful by the way.