We all have our own "method"....I used to keep my quilt sandwich TAUT...however, after using the Aunt Becky's little folded metal piece....and watching others.....I think if you make your sandwich TAUT.....then give your hoop a little turn.....and loosen your sandwich so that you can put a little "pooch" into it...you'll find it much easier to get an even quilting hand stitch. Of course....the best advice, is practice, practice, practice.....and if you're using fabric with NO SEAMS I'm sure you'll get your stitching quicker.....going through seams is really disconcerting & hard to control the stitch length.