No hoop or frame for me either. I have tendonitis in my left wrist and trying to use a hoop aggravates it. I just drape it around me and over the ironing board in front of me (lowered to just above lap height). I've done 2 queen size quilts this way. This is also the way I hand sew my bindings on all my quilts. The ironing board gives just enough support and gives the dog a place to lay under.