I'm also new at quilting. I bought a large quilting hoop but found it small and cumbersome for doing a full size quilt. Purchased a frame at Hobby Lobby (they have then at JoAnn's). It's about 18 X 24 ??? (it's in the box right now since I'm between quilting projects) with PVC pipes for the frames. Very easy to assemble. We live full-time in an RV so this is perfect for me. The cost is about $130 but keep an eye out for the 40% and 50% discount coupons. Hope this helps you.

very nice, I'm not a great quilter but I also am interested in hand quilting. could anyone out there give some pointers? Kirksmom,Marilyn

Am also a hand quilter. The easiest was to quilt (for me)is to quilt in the shadow (1/4 inch from seam). It's easy to keep a straight line or you can mark the line with a quilting pencil. I try to keep the stitches in a straight line without worrying TOO much about the length of the stitches. Other hand quilters tell me that comes with practice. Also, told me not to worry about being perfect--just enjoy the process and make it relaxing and fun.

On the frame, it depends on if you will be quilting on your own or with others. You can do 1X2's and make some stands to put them on, but they take up a bunch of space. I have a grace frame, and it takes up a lot of length, but it only takes about 2-4 feet of space, and can be folded up (with the quilt in progress) and stored under a bed, or behind furniture or whatever.

That is beautiful.

I go by what most professional quilters have said. If the quilt has straight lines in the design use mostly curves for the quilting, if the design has curves use mostly straight line quilting. I really like quilted circles on all straight line designs.