not sure if i will be of any help, but a fellow hand quilter in one of my quilt groups, hand quilts w/o a hoop. neither of us do big stitch, but when she is quilting she holds her left hand under the quilt the same way i do when using a hoop. she doesn't bunch the quilt body up into her left hand at all. it may take a bit of practice, but i think your stitches may become more even if you don't try holding the quilt the way you are now. just keep left hand under to guide needle from below. hope this helps.