Hi, Celeste. I have a lap frame made of plastic pipe that you can get at JoAnn's. Don't remember the brand. It is a rectangle shape. It allows me to move around less than the ovals or round frames, also seems to not bunch up as much. Because the quilt is so heavy, I sometimes set a dining room chair in front of me and drape the quilt over it so that I can still reach under the quilt at the frame, but do not have to hold up all of that weight. I love hand quilting, too, and this works best for me so far, but I am still open to suggestions. Where are you in California? I am in the northeast corner.