I tried one briefly at the store a few years back. It does keep the layers "flat" while free motioning. But I still like to spread with my hands better. I quickly ran out of room using the hoop and it seemed a nuisance to move it to another flat spot. But then I am a haphazard quilter and quilt fast. If you were working on micro quilting or were set to a certain pattern it might help. It would probably also help those with arthritis or who had a hard time spreading the fabric.