I think the idea of stabilizing the quilt first, so you don't have to worry about the layers shifting, and then going back and filling in the spaces later is a superb idea. I am definitely going to try it. Anything to make FMQ easier. I assume then I can take out at least some of the basting pins, although I wouldn't take them all out. It makes real sense to me. Thanks so much for the link and for sharing!

I just bought a new FMQ foot for my machine and it has helped me a lot. This is not a hopping foot, but an adjustable open darning foot.

I still think there is nothing wrong with plain old Stitch in the Ditch quilting!