I am looking for a hand quilting frame, not the traditional table type but the kind with rollers that take less space. I don't think I will ever do a king size but may occassionally quilt a queen size. I am predominantly wanting a frame I can use to make lap quilts for soldiers. Any advice as to brand? Please help educate me with your experience.

I have the grace model that will accomodate up to a queen size and I like it very much. It has a roller to hold each the top, backing and batting as well as a take-up roll. It also tips to adjust the angle your quilt is on and therefore I can adjust it so that my chair and knees are under the quilt and I can easily reach the quiltable area. Good luck with your search.

I ordered mine directly from the Grace Co. online. Sometimes I think there might be better deals on other sites.

I guess I don't know what kind of frame you are talking about. I have a homemade frame with rails that roll the quilt on it. I've quilted two quilts on it ... one queen and one full. I'm working on a king sized quilt now that I'm hoping will fit on the rails. Do you have a picture of what you're looking for?

I bought my quilt frame at an auction a couple of years ago. I think I paid $40 for it. It has been well worth it.

Have you thought about using a Q snap frame? That's what I use and I love it.

I baste my quilt together, then use the Q snap, starting in the middle of the quilt and moving out to the edges as I go.

I can quilt while sitting in a comfy chair, listening to TV, put it away when not quilting. My back really likes it!

My Q snap is the 17" x 17". I have done several lap quilts and queen size. There are all sorts of sizes of Q snap and a floor model as well. I like the portability of the one I have.

http://www.qsnap.com/all_products.asp

If I could have afforded it I would have gotten a grace frame. Not having the money I got one of the pvc frames , I found mine used on ebay, jo anns often have them for around a hundred dollars. There are also directions for making them on the internet if you have some basic tools.

Look at this. I think I might try it myself.
http://www.herrschners.com/SearchPag...rame%20pattern

I think I am looking for something like the Grace model mentioned above.

MamaBear61, what model do you have?

Nana-up-north, I love auction finds. I would love to see a picture of your frame.

I have the EZ3 and I like it. I am still just learning to hand quilt but I have even used it to do tie quilts and they go very fast on it. Here is the link to the one I have off of the Grace site. http://graceframe.com/site/handframes/ez3
When I was trying to find one I had no luck finding a used one and so I just decided to ordered directly from the company. The one thing I will say about ordering these wooden frames, since my husband and I dabble in wood working I was not happy that the frame came "raw" plywood so I spent some time sanding it and painting it.

Take a look at the Hinterberg frame, too. I have one and love it. http://www.hinterberg.com/prod-Easy_...lus_Kit-8.aspx

Mamabear - the frame in your picture doesn't look like wood. I am so proud of you for finishing the frame but I don't think I have time to do that anytime soon.

Ghostrider - The Hinterberg frame looks great and is more affordable but I have a question. The description says that it has 3 poles but that does not show in the picture. It looks like it only has two rollers so all the layers would have to be together when you put it on the rollers. Do the layers shift as you roll them? How difficult was it to finish?

So, the new topic of discussion is the advantages of rollers for each layer vs. all layers being together on the frame.