QuiltedComforts

I have decided to try my hand at hand quilting... I made a king size top for our bed and I know there is no way I will be able to squeeze it into my DSM, lol. My question is, what is the best choice for a hoop that is not too expensive? Our money is pretty tight right now, otherwise I would send it out to be quilted by a LA... I've watched tutorials on YouTube, so I think I will be able to do it, but any tips would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance!

batikmystique

Hi! I just posted a thread about lap quilting hoops so maybe someone will offer some suggestions. But, if you are interested in exploring different hand quilting techniques here are a couple of links to Jean Brown's method:

www.jeansimpressions.com

http://o-o---preferred---sn-mv-a5mz-...s_redirect=yes

Sorry for such a long link, but took it directly from the video site.

kentuckyred

I posted this picture in another thread just a bit ago but I'll share it here too. I bought this same hoop on Ebay for practically nothing- with shipping I think it was $25. It was used but I didn't care and it works great. Very sturdy. I'm currently hand quilting a queen size quilt in it and it's working beautifully.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]371507[/ATTACH]

rhilkey

I found a Grace hoop last week on craig's list; half the price of new, works great! As with anything online you have to be careful. Good luck.

auntpiggylpn

I too am embarking on my first hand quilting project and it is a Queen size DWR. Don't make the mistake that I made and buy one of the pvc frames! I got it off of Craigslist for $30 but it is too big and too difficult to maneuver. I lucked out at a garage sale recently. The lady had one just like the one pictured in KentuckyRed's post. I was talking to the lady and told her what I was trying to hand quilt and she gave it to me!! It is working out well!

tealfalcon

no advice on a hoop other then i have tried both with and without and found i don't like using a hoop

stillclock

i use an 18" round plastic hoop. it might be pvc...i guess that would make sense.

i have a floor frame too....or sort of a guess. i haven't assembled it in years. i love the hand hoop because i am always quilting in one direction. i also know i won't be sitting in a gnarled up position for too long because i have to readjust the hoop from time to time

i keep my quilt moderately loose in the frame and make sure i take it off when i am finished for the session.

a king sized quilt is massive though....be prepared for the aching slowness of hand quilting. keep in mind it is heirloom quality work and keep on keepin' on.

aileen

NJ Quilter

I use a cheapie wood hoop from JoAnn's. I think it's about 14" round. In my 10-15 yrs. of hand quilting now, this is only the second one I've bought. First one gave up the ghost about 8-10 years in. And I'm always quilting something from lap to king. They are less than $10 and you can probably use a coupon because I don't think I've EVER seen them on sale! I can buy lots of these for the price of some hoops out there. I also sometimes use no hoop. You can hand quilt with none and be successful!

ckcowl

i prefer hand quilting without a frame- just baste well before beginning...if you have not hand quilted anything before put together a small practice piece to try on first- a king sized quilt is quite a project to start with.
a lady at the lqs told me when i first started that if i spent 1 hour a day i could quilt a queen sized quilt in about a year....i went home & machine quilted my quilt-
i have since then learned to hand quilt and enjoy the process-but tend to only do small projects- large ones i machine quilt...unless i'm doing a quilt as you go type where i quilt it a block at a time then put it together...not to say you can not quilt a king sized quilt- just don't expect to get it done in a week or two.
there are many good videos showing how to quilt large (yes-even king sized) quilts on your domestic machine- it's not as difficult as you may think...just a thought...

117becca

i have used a 24" hoop and propped it up on the back of a chair so that i can get my hand underneath it. I saw a floor frame w/ a hoop at Hobby Lobby that you could use the 40% off coupon. Basting well is going to be your key to keeping the layers together, and no puckers.