Welcome from VIRGINIA. I started out handquilting but want to learn to machine quilt on my home machine, as well. You may want to try the round hoop, I even like the SMALL hoop because you can handle it well. My problem got to be that it is easier for me to quilt WITHOUT a hoop, just lapquilt, I guess, they call it. That way, I use the fabric in one hand to help me with the quilting stitch in the other. You may have to try a couple of kinds to see which works best. Good luck -- hope to see some of your handquilting on here. I'm usually in the minority because all but one other lady in my class does the machine quilting - so I'm all alone!