Right now im trying to hand quilt a wallhanging. I find it hard to use a hoop, because i find it harder to get the needle to come straight back up, but doing it without the hoop is so much easier, my stitches come out much smaller than with the hoop, but, it's also harder without a hoop, because i like to have my left hand under the quilt, to feel the needle come through all the way, and i like my left thumb on top of the quilt, so it's a lot of quilt to try and bunch up in your hand. So i'm wondering too, those that quilt without a hoop, is there a trick or a special way you hold the quilt that helps?