Hello Celest.. well I am just now working on a King size quilt.. hand stitching throughout... and read your question. I will tell ya how I do it, and see if that helps any. I have my quilt pinned securely, so I know it is not moving. Got hundreds of safety pins in the quilt. I just sat, and reached in towards the center of the quilt.. and put in my 14" embrodiery hoop..........I make it tight, and make sure the back is nice and neat also...I don't try to bunch up the material in my hand, I just let my left hand work under the quilt. I do all the work in that area and move to the next area. Not sure if that helps, but it does work. Happy sewing..
Sharon