First welcome to the QB from SE Michigan. I have used both a hoop and a frame on the same quilt. I have come to prefer the hoop so I can lay in bed with DH and quilt to my hearts content. The frame is great to just pull up a chair and quilt away alone or with a friend or two. My younger sister is learning to quilt and just finished her first quilt. She used a frame in the end to quilt her quilt so she didn't have so much in her lap. She too started with a hoop and went to the frame. With the hoop you will have the weight of the entire quilt in your lap. It is distributed differently with the frame. Don't be afraid to experiment to find which way you are most comfortable. Again welcome to the QB and I hope to see a lot of you here.