hand quilting hoops
 

I am considering either a hoop or a frame to help with hand quilting. I have two projects, one crib size, the other king-size. I have just hand basted in the past and quilted it loose in my lap. Would appreciate feedback from the experienced among you.

I recommend the "no-slip hoop" avabilable under the brand name of Morgan or Dritz. Same hoop. It comes in 14" and the way it is constructed will not slip when you get the satisfatory tightness. Requires basting for larger projects but not if smaller projects. Very satisfactory. It is made of plastic and is strong. I find the wooden hoops tend to slip and have to be constanty re tightened. Since it is 14" requires repositioning for the large projects. Price at the big box fabric store is arond $20 but probably less with coupon.

Thank you. Does it fit into a stand or can only be held in your lap?

I prefer the square frame made from PVC pipe. I think it's called a quick snap frame. They come in a couple different sizes. I have the larger one, about 14". You can buy a floor frame made from the same pvc but I don't have that. With the lap frame you will have to rehoop but with the square from you won't be rehooping over already quilted areas. The round frame you will have to rehoop over already quilted areas, it's inevitable. That just means you are rehooping more often. I also made fabric sleeves to slip over 2 sides of the frame. This way I can pin the edges of the quilt to the frame, like on a large floor frame and quilt to the edge. I use 2 sides when I need to do the corners.

Don't make the same mistake i did, when I first started I bought one of the big wooden hoops, not only did it slip a lot but the sharp rough edges had me chapped in some very uncomfortable places. Go with the plastic hoops with the rounded edges, they don't slip as much and don't hurt you. Hugs.

I have an 11x17 Q Snap plastic frame still in the original bag (opened) I'll sell for a really reasonable price. Hand quilting just didn't work for me. I send mine out to be quilted. I finally came to the same conclusion about quilting as my husband has about auto repairs - People went to school to learn to fix cars, let them do it.

When I started handquilting, I bought inexpensive, round wooden hoops. I still have them, in various sizes. Once I realized that I loved hand quilting I bought a floor frame, which is what I prefer to use. I also have a round hoop on a stand, for those times when I have something smaller to work on.

So my advice is to start out small, make sure this is something you want to do, then look into other alternatives.

Janet

I use a Jean's Impressions 14" lap hoop. It is wonderful. It frees up your hands to do the rocking stitch and is weighted enough that you can push up from underneath without the hoop moving. You can buy it on her site:

http://jeansimpressions.com

I have a Grace lap hoop that I love. It was expensive but I like it much better than the cheap wood or plastic frames I tried before.

that is what i use and i love mine.....i tried the wooden ones and thy don`t compare to my Dritz plastic hoop.....it is hand held...i just sit and watch t.v. while i handquilt....