I have done very little hand quilting of quilts because of my carpal tunnel syndrome - too many years as a secretary. However, I did quilt my DD's full size quilt, I can't even remember the pattern now, and that's the only one. I sat at my former dining room table, which had been moved to my basement sewing room, and since it was summer, had a fan under the table to keep me cool, I used a large hoop, but it was supported on the table, with my cat Mischief occasionally trying to catch the needle. I had seen someone hand quilt without using a hoop, and I actually did a couple small quilts using that method and I liked it a lot. To all you hand quilters out there I applaud you, but it's just not something I can do.