Originally Posted by
jillaine
Great timing this topic is! ;-) I was just looking at these, and thinking about getting the "plus" kit:
http://www.hinterberg.com/cat-Frame_Kits-69.aspx
But hearing (reading) you all talk about working with the round Hinterberg hoop makes me wonder if that's a better route? I've got a king-size quilt I'm going to hand quilt (am I nuts or what?) and a standing round/oval hoop just seems like it would be more difficult to use than a rectangular standing frame. Thoughts?
I have a floor frame, made by Hinterberg, in fact. I love it, but there is a learning curve to hand quilting on a frame.
First, the frame is big - think living room sofa big. It's not portable, and you can't turn it to quilt towards yourself. I turn my body and use an adjustable chair when I quilt. I learned how to quilt away from myself, which helps me quilt in all directions.
I think it's easier to learn to quilt with a hoop. I think having a hoop on a stand, whether it's in your lap, a sit upon, or with a floor stand, is easier than trying to prop it up on knees or a table top - it's sturdier and that makes it easier to quilt. The only downside to a hoop is that the quilt is on your lap a lot, but if it's cold outside, who cares??! Just make sure you don't pull your sandwich drum tight in the hoop and you'll do fine.
Janet