I hand quilt using a lap hoop that is a lot like the one sold by Keepsake Quilting and I love it. I like it because I can put it on my lap while I'm sitting in my recliner. This way I'm not leaning forward in an uncomfortable position. I have quilted small table top quilts all the way up to a queen size quilt on it with no problem. It's worth its weight in gold as far as I an concerned. A friend of mine who is new to quilting borrowed mine and ended up buying one herself - and she loves it too.
I was like some other newbies to hand quilting when I started. I thought the quilt had to be drum-tight. When I loosened the tension it was a lot easier to make stitches. Good luck in whatever way that you choose.