If you're interested in showing your quilt: zigzag stitching isn't acceptable on the back of the quilt for the quilting stitch. So all decorative stitches must be done before attaching the back. Decorative stitching can be done on the top and batting because the batt acts as a stabilizer. The batt can cause heavy lint in the machine. Heavy stitching can flatten the batting. All heavy stitching and some decorative stitching can distort the shape of the top, so a stabilizer may be necessary; test before working on the top.