I have a marvelous wooden frame and several hoops ... all money wasted because I learned I need the freedom of hand quilting with no frame or hoop. During the cold time of year, I do what others do and sit under the quilt while I stitch, so I save the small and awkward to-be-quilted areas for the winter. The large straight lines (grids, mostly) I do during the rest of the year while the quilt sits on one end of my large cutting table; the table not only supports the weight of the quilt, but is a good height for me.

My 84 year old mother hand quilts with her grandmother's hoop (true!!!) and sits in her recliner to quilt with the arms as support for the quilting similar to one of the first posts on this thread.

I don't use a hoop of any kind or a frame. I have hand quilted a queen and king quilt with no problems. I baste well and keep it smoothed out as I go. It is just easier for me to not use a hoop. As far as stitches per inch I just do the best I can and it looks nice especially after it is washed. Just saying!

OK, I'll admit it, I hand quilt because I don't know how to machine quilt. I purchased a hoop but like many, just can't get used to it. I saw a video about hoopless quilting and that was it for me. I was given permission to do what I prefer and I love it. If I needed perfect stitches, I would not use batting. I make my quilts to be used, never will they be considered show pieces!!

Once again I just have to say how much I love this board. Everyone is so laid back. We all give each other (and ourselves) permission to do what we love the way that works for us!

I have not done a whole lot of hand quilting, but I do enjoy handwork and hope to try more in the future. I have tried with and without a hoop and still haven't decided which I like best. I bought a quilting hoop that fits in a universal stand that I bought years ago for cross stitch and hand embroidery. I sort of think my stitches look better in the hoop than out of it. I tried various hoops just in my lap and found it awkward to keep the hoop positioned while stitching. I've tried just the basted quilt without any hoop at all and that was more comfortable but then my stitches were very irregular. I think I need to just keep practicing and trying different methods till I find what works.

Two things I have decided for sure: 1) I have to use a thimble even though I don't normally use one for hand-sewing, and 2) I prefer to thread-baste the layers for hand quilting rather than use pins. My thread always wants to catch on the safety pins as I'm quilting.

From a very experienced hand quilter: My favorite way to hand quilt is with my large floor frame. (I posted pictures of it on here awhile back.) And I have tried hoops and no hoops. With a hoop (a I do use one if I want to travel with a quilt), I like to sit where I can prop the edge of the hoop resting on a table or something so I'm not having to hold up the whole weight of the quilt. One advantage of a hoop is you can turn it so you can quilt loops and circles easily by rotating the hoop. Make sure your quilt is not stretched too tightly in a hoop. It should not be saggy, but loose enough to easily stitch. I find no hoop at all to be extremely difficult for more than just taking a few stitches that I discover I've missed after I get a quilt out of the frame. But my high school Home Ec. teacher and her mom and sisters did all their quilting on their laps, no hoops, and didn't care for any other way. My conclusion...whatever works well for you is the correct way! In S. Alabama, there are very few months in the year I want a hot quilt wrapped around me! The advantage of my floor frame is no basting is needed! And it's very inexpensive and easy to make one.

Several of you have amazed me. I love hand quilting and have several frames (floor to different shapes of hoops). I personally cannot imagine hand quilting without a frame or hoop and I know I would make a mess of it. I have a friend who does not use a hoop and she does beautiful quilting. Isn't it interesting how everyone has their own talents and techniques, but we all manage to create masterpieces. I think we all need to try different techniques until we find what works best for us.

I do envy those who can hand quilt without any apparatus.

Aileen

I have one of the little gun things and do not like it. The little tag things are about 5/8" long and they tend to shift. They don't hold the top and the back close together or tight enough and I always had wrinkles in my quilts. I tried it on, maybe 3 quilts and it went into the forever buried box in my quilt room! It just didn't work for me.

Have any of you hand quilters used the Elmer school glue method for basting?

I have a friend that hand quilted a quilt that was put together with school glue and she said it was horrible. I didn't see the quilt but I am guessing too much glue was used and it made it too difficult to push the needle through.

Ladibug