Barnett Laptop Hoop Frames - need help deciding
 

I'm a hand quilter, and have been using a 12.5" hoop for a few years. The only thing I would like is for the hoop to be raised. </p>That brings me to Barnett's Laptop Hoop Frames (http://www.laptophoops.com/). The cost makes it a fairly substantial purchase for me. So I'd like to ask your thoughts about the 3 models I am trying to decide between. Those are the original (flat base), the vented (has gaps in the base), or the ring (big hole in the base). I'm thinking of getting the 14" size. </p>I'd be super keen from hear from people who already use these frames, and learn about your experiences.

Hi KiwiQuilter
I bought a ring frame last year and I like it. For Xmas we bought the sit on base for my sister in law and I wish I would have choosen this one for myself also. It is a bit more expensive but I think It would be worth the difference in $$

I find that with the non-reclining base, I have to lift some of the base resting on my lap,by putting a part of the quilt I am working on under half of the base, so it is tilted and in a more convenient and comfortable position for me to handquilt. No big deal but It can get pretty warm with all the layers of the quilt resting on myself when I am quilting... but this is how I like it. When I think about it, when we handquilt, our work is tilted and not lying flat on us, isn't it?

I wiggle around waaaay too much to be able to use a hoop/frame like that. I have a 14-16" hoop that I use. Can position it any way I like/need to. I'd also be afraid of having to move the quilt more frequently than I already do with a frame of that style. But that's just me. Sorry I'm no help to you with your choices.

Your question brought me back to Barnetts. I'm a hand quilter too. I usually sit in my recliner with a 12 inch round hoop in my lap. No base, so I often put a pillow under. Now I see they have a bean bag base. The problem is the shipping.

I have a Barnett hoop 14" - this is what I don't like about it - Helou is right it needs to angle and it isn't- so I hunch over it and therefore it is uncomfortable. Also it is too big for me - I am 5'8" with long arms and it is too big a span for me maybe it is the fact that it isn't angled...The really great think about it is you can easily put you hand under it.

The lap hoop I use is no longer made. I love it because it swivels on a wooden ball and is very easy to adjust for tilt and angle. Also, there is no impediment to the underneath hand.

Prior to purchasing this lap hoop I had tried a more standard type that seems very similar to the Barnett in that it had 3 uprights between the lap part and the hoop part. I found these uprights to frequently be in conflict with my underneath hand. Also the hoop part was not adjustable for tilt and angle (other than changing the tilt and angle in my lap). As far as I can tell from the Barnett site, all of their hoops have those uprights. For that reason alone, I would not purchase one.

The closest lap hoop to the one I love seems to be the Grace, although their lap hoop is square:
http://www.graceframe.com/site/hoops

I see that Hinterberg also has one, but I do wonder about balance with that one:
http://www.amazon.com/Hinterberg-Des...pr_product_top

I am not familiar with the frame you named. I have three floor frames. One is the one that is at least long enough to allow several people to work at the same time. If I use it I sit in a typing chair so that I can roll easily down the length of the frame while quilting. I haven't used it in several years at home. I have two floor frames, one round and the other a square with rounded edges. They both tilt in any direction but the one I have used the most lately has an arm that allows me to pull the hoop toward me. I can use either to quilt any size quilt and have. I believe both of those frames are made by Grace. What I like most about the smaller frames is that I can still share the room with my husband, watch TV or have a conversation and get my quilting done.
have three

I have the Grace lap hoop and it's wonderful. The swivel feature makes it worth every penny--you can tilt it any way you want.

Just the fact that your underneath hand doesn't have to support all the weight of the quilt spilling out of the hoop makes hand quilting with any lap hoop much less tiring. But I agree with Prism that the uprights on the Barnett, and other lap hoops that don't have the connection in the middle, would be in the way much of the time.

I also have a Grace lap hoop. The base raises it up above your lap and the ball will turn or tilt. I love the swivel that can angle any direction, it is very comfortable to use.

I would think you would want one that tilted. I don't have a lot of experience hand quilting but the little I have done I ended up sitting at the kitchen table and propping it against the table so it was the correct angle. I did purchase a square lap hoop with a solid wood base that tilts - this was a few years ago - I found it in the sale room for 1/2 price. Haven't used it yet!