The only hoopless quilting I've done is with blocks that were later stitched together for a top. I stopped quilting 1" from the edges, but left lengths of thread hanging so that once the blocks were sewn together, I could connect the quilting.
For a larger quilt, I like the lap stand combo, because I can tuck some of the quilt into the space between the hoops. I feel I have more control of the bulk then.
http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewi...4/product.html