I hand quilted until "art" decided I could no longer hold the tiny needle and then I began tieing my quilts. Do have an occasional one machine quilted but can't afford to have them all done. How I tie has become so easy that I no longer have the back/neck/shoulder problems. I saw the technique on a quilt site but with my memory don't remember where but... I have one of those folded quilting tables from Joannes and some medium sized clamps from Walmart auto center. I mark the center of the table using the wooden sticks used for grilling taped down then I mark the center both ways of the back by finger pressing it and clamp it down. Do the same with the batting but I mark the center with a small safety pin and remove it after I get it clamped down. Then the top. I can reach across to the center of the table very comfortably from both sides. Once that section is done I move it another direction and clamp it down until I have it complete. Hope this makes some sense! Wish I could remember the site I know it had a video. If anyone knows where could you please post link. grammasharon