I don't use anything. Make sure it's all pinned or loosely sewn, straight and flat. I have tried a hoop, it doesn't work for me.

No hoops and no frame; tried both and prefer nothing ... just me and my quilt, which is pin-basted and I take the pins out as I go. Re: quilt weight & convenience ... in hot/warm weather, a large quilt is frequently spread out on my big cutting table where I do long straight grid marking (w/painter's tape) & stitching. I leave the small areas for cold weather, when I sit on my bed with my back up against the headboard (+ a big comfy pillow behind me); the light from a tall bedside/table lamp shines right where I need it and, with the quilt on the bed (and covering me), again there is no quilt weight problem + it keeps me nice & warm. I have a large wicker basket (w/handle) that holds all my hand quilting goodies; it goes wherever the quilt & I go.

I use a hoop. Get one large enough that you won't have to rehoop every 10 minutes. Joanns actually has decent regular prices on these--much better than their regular hoops.

I love the PVC frames - they are square/rectangle, in a variety of sizes and I keep the quilt pretty tight as I quilt. Fits perfectly in my lap. I start in the middle of the quilt and work my way out....

I use a hoop for the middle of quilt then when I get to the outside stips I don't.

I use a Q-snap floor frame. I like it because its rectangle and does not pull on the bias so my quilting looks good.

I hand quilt most of my quilts and I used to use the large oval hoop then I went to the PVC square because it is so much quicker to move from are to area and now unless it's a small project I use the larger PVC frame. It is so nice to move it quickly and it's up off my body so it isn't as hot to quilt. I also quilt most of my larger quilts in sections so I am not juggling lots of fabric. It also fold up completely flat if you need to take it down and you can leave the quilt in it, if you like.
You need your fabric with slack but not too loose. It really comes down to what is comfortable for you. I've seen some wonderful quilts done by the stab method and no frame at all.I don't use a frame around the edges, I lay it on a table and quilt it. I used to have a large frame and it was nice to quilt on but a pain to move the fabric. It was an older one and you had to pin the edges of the quilt to a piece of fabric on each side. By the time I move it to a new area I was ready for a break plus it took up a lot of space. If you can long arm , you can hand quilt, it just takes lots longer to do it.

Both.

i use a pvc frame have quilted all size on it
i have my frame for number of years and i love it
louise in arkansas

A hoop helps to keep the tension right so that the fabric doesn't pucker while you quilt. There is no reason why you can't quilt without a hoop if you make sure there's no puckering.

Do not use a hoop or frame and it works out just fine. Since the fabric has to be loose in the hoop I am not sure why you would need one. I am just careful to make sure the backing and batting stay smooth as I go.

I use a floor frame to hand quilt. I have learned, tho, to loosen the fabric tension so that the rocking stitch is easier.

Neither one. Do much better without a hoop or a frame.

I use my PVC quilt frame and LOVE it. It can be set up and taken down in minutes, holds my quilt firmly, takes up little space and can go back in the box and stuffed under my bed when not in use.

I have both and use both, but sometimes use neither one. Depends on what kind of quilting mood I'm in at that particular time.

No, I don't use anything. I pin very carefully. I've tried all kinds of hoops...even bought the swivel one...could not get used to it. I'm thinking, however, I might not have had it loose enough....seemed to be too tight. I have quilted 4 without anything.

I would be so afraid to not us a hoop with the back side of a quilt in a hoop. You have too have it tight but not to tight is much have some play in so the needle can get more than one on a needle. I can usally get up to 8 and pull it on thought.

I have a friend who hand quilts and she also puts a pillow in her lap so she doesn't have to lean over and strain her upper back.

I used a hoop at first. Then I forgot my hoop one day and realized my stitches looked better and I enjoyed it more without having to fight with the hoop. Personal preference I think.

I use a hoop. My first quilt sat in a (borrowed) frame in my family room for AGES, untouched, until someone suggested a hoop. The mobility of the hoop did it for me- I could take it where I was going, and work on it wherever! Much more suitable to my lifestyle and personal sensibilities.

Interesting. I would have thought that those who use nothing would have been a slim minority. Didn't realize there were so many who didn't use a hoop or frame!

I don't use a hoop or frame , althought I have both. I found that it was most comfortable to either quilt towards me or to the left & I was moving the hoop too much or moving around the frame too much. Much easier for me to just baste 'the crap' out of the thing & have it on my lap.

I use hoop and frame. Most people want a little slack in the material in the hoop, but I find my stitches are smaller and more uniform if my material is tight whether it is in a hoop or a quilting frame.

I don't use a frame or hoop to hand quilt. Most people will get better results with one however. When I brought a quilt in to be assessed for insurance, several of the ladies were judges and only one could tell it wasn't done in a hoop, so you can get fairly skilled at it.

This is very interesting.I thought I HAD to quilt with a hoop or a frame,but am glad to find so many that don,t. I enjoy it so much more without the frame.I basted really well on my longarm and have not had any puckers "yet".By the way my 80 yr.old mother who hand quilts everything quilts on a pvc frame.She will have a cow when I tell her Iam not useing a frame.Thanks for all the help.

I use Sharon Schamber's method as well. Except that I use much smaller herringbone stitches (an inch wide and an inch apart). There is no way that quilt sandwich is going to shift! Doesn't pucker, tuck or anything like that, either, it just doesn't have that much room to move.

The other day, the puppy grabbed my practice sandwich and ran off, shaking it like a wild thing. I got it back from her, a few spots of spit but no shifting of the layers. I'm not sure it would have survived playing tug with it but she did shake it thoroughly with no problems.

She's a bad, bad puppy and I love her passionately.

I have both and I do not like the frame Back posture is not good when using a frame. The hoop is easier to handle for me that is

I haven't hand quilted in a LOooong time, but I always used a hoop when I did. I tried using a floor frame but found it more difficult. :)

I make Dresden Plates. After stitching to background, I hand-quilt without a hoop. The tension- I keep the thread taut enough to look good when completed.
Stephanie

I don't use a hoop or frame....one little piece of advice...Throw out all the rules you have been given when it comes to quilting! Do what feels natural and comfortable to you and tell the quilt police to go polish their badges....LOL!

I like that idea lfw045.

I can't use a hoop and ended up giving mine away. The friend I gave it to loves it. I just quilt in my lap and I seem to have a lot more control and my shoulders don't get as tired.

I love to hand quilt but could never get the hang of a frame or a hoop.

I don't baste my quilts (take that, QP!)! I lay it out like I'm basting it, but I clamp it around the edges to hold it all good. Then I put it on the floor frame and quilt the center in the frame. Then I use the hoop for the rest of it. I enjoy the hoop best. If I don't use a hoop, I can't find my place. I would rather use a hoop than baste.

I agree, this thread has been very enlightening. I tried lap quilting and found it very easy around the edge of the quilt, but couldn't get the hang of it in the center of the quilt. I couldn't figure out how to keep the tension correct. How do you do that???

When I hand quilt (which isn't too often these days) I use a hand hoop. I quilted for years with a frame but find the hoop is easier on my back. I guess it allows me to get into a more comfortable position.

When I hand quilt, I always start in the middle of the quilt and work outwards. I don't use a hoop or frame.

I use a lap hoop. It's a rectangle, 8" x 14", and I've done King size whole cloth quilts on it. (see avatar) It's all I use. And I have the quilt fairly tight so I don't quilt wrinkles into the quilt. Been doing it this way for many years.

I do not use a hoop. I hand quilt all my quilts. I tried a hoop but had learned without one and just like it better. I think I may be odd man out though.

SandraD you are not the odd woman out. It looks like about 60% hoop or frame and 40% not.