You didn't say how many stitches per inch you were trying to accomplish. Handquilting is an always evolving process. Consistency is prized with handstitchers. Try not to reach too far from your body as you quilt (don't "lay" on the quilt). It is harder to control the needle and tires you out. I am not a thimble-girl so prefer a pair of needle nose pliers to push and pull the needle as I work. As for frames, I will say that I learned to handquilt with my Mennonite MIL on a quilt frame just like the one you described (oh, the memories). As time went by, she decided to "upgrade" and went to an adjustable frame that she could change to suit her physical needs as well.