You've already got lots of great advice here ... It will look adorable with little hearts in the middle of those little white squares! Will you do them in red? Beautiful job! Show us when you're done! Happy Quilting! :)

Really cute quilt. You did very well. I had to pin my 1st quilt about 3 times because I bought too little batting the first time, then I realized the second time, I had too little backing. It was a queen and my fingers were so tired of all that pinning. I stitched it in the ditch and yes, it was hard at times, but I just kept on sewing. You should have no problem with a lap if that is what you want to do. You can always go back later and do more quilting on it.

If you are going to machine quilt the area inside the hoop, you need to turn the hoop over, so the fabric is flat against the table surface. ...and just push slide the hoop around under the needle.

If you are going to hand quilt it I would quilt it about 1/4" in. from seams. and if possible not on the side that you have pressed your seams to. I have hand quilted a number of quilts. In large frames, and in hoop. I have a hoop stand that tilts and turns and I really like it. I have a larger hoop and medium size that I use on this stand. You will enjoy doing the hand quilting and I usually start in middle. Never done a large quilt in hoop mostly tree-skirts which is 54-60" or smaller
I think if you want to put heart in I would mark it and do it at the same time otherwise you are going to be moving your hoop a lot

I think your plan is great. A combination of machine & hand quilting will be beautiful.
I have 2 tips;
1. Do you have a walking foot for your straight machine quilting? It improved my quilting ability tremendously.
2. When you do hand quilt those hearts get a thimble that fits & keep it close. When your finger gets sore you'll start using it.

I have never hand quilted (other than tieing and that doesn't count) but the quilt is beautifully done and I love the colors - wouldn't have guessed you were a newbie - great job!

If you have never hand quilted, it is a great process, very relaxing. Your skills will improve with practice, and you can watch TV or movies or listen to music. I have machine quilted a bit on smaller pieces, and it is not easy with a beautiful top like yours. Practice on something you really don't care about before you start machine quilting on a beautiful top! Machine quilting feels like it is running away with you, sometimes, while hand quilting is a process where YOU have all the control and it is easy to take a few stitches out if necessary. I will never be able to quilt with the tiny stitches some people on this board have mastered, but it is acceptable and soft and relaxing. You really should try both. Good luck!

I think you've got plenty of advice, but I just want to say how much I like your quilt! Great job! Can't wait to see the finished quilt!

Thank you, everyone! Last weekend, I machine-quilted one long line the length of the quilt. I'm not crazy about it. I couldn't figure out how to do the turns I wanted to do, which is why I did that one long, not-exactly-straight line. I think I might go back to the hand-quilting idea.

I really wanted to have this finished soon so Susan Mallery, the author I work for, could post the picture to her Facebook page while her latest Fool's Gold books are out, but I think doing it right is more important than doing it fast. Think I'll have to get out my stitch remover thingie.

I have no idea. LOL I got it at an estate sale. I'll go shopping today and look for something better. Thanks!