Originally Posted by catrancher

I've done this before, and yes, it is a hassle. I figured out this method though: I use a few pieces of masking tape to tape the lower hoop to my work surface, then I use the template to center the block with the upper hoop. When everything is in the right place, I put the two hoops together. With a quilt, you really have to loosen the screw on the hoop so that it opens up completely.