I have an old hoop my grandmother gave me its is a large oval probably 12" by 24". That is the only thing I have ever used to hand quilt and like it just fine. It can take my project with me if I want to - I quilt in the car when I know I will be a passenger. I did have to baste my whole quilt but that wasn't that big of a pain in the a**. With the hoop I can turn my work cause I can only quilt right to left :)