I hand quilt without a loop, and I have no problems doing that way at all. As far as practicing is concernedf, all you really need to do is get some inexpensive fabric or use something that you already have at home, get some stencils, a good marking pen ( I use the new fusion pens that come off when heat is applied), mark your sample and start hand quilting. I would suggest getting between needles for hand quilting ( I like size 9 because it is easy for me to thread, but a size 10would also work).
Have fun learning how to hand quilt.