This is how I use to tie all my quilts before I started to machine quilt them. It is really simple to make I used 1 x 4's 12 feet long and I covered them with leftover batting that I stapled right to the board. Then I used C clamps to hold the 4 boards together once I had my sandwich tacked to it. I put mine on the back of four dining room chairs in the middle of my family room. And yes you start on the outer edge and work toward the center rolling the two sides inward. The quilt rolls around the board. A permanent setup can be attached to cables or rope and raised to store over a bed or wherever. They are quick and easy to use especially if you get a couple working on it at the same time.

Ok, now I can picture it but doesn't the bulk of the quilt rolled up hinder your reach after a while or is it not that much bulk?

My mom has a similar quilt frame. But has free standing legs for hers.
No the bulk is not that large. As you keep it fairly tight as you roll the ends. Usually the the longer end. Not the sides.

I love that quilt! And, it seems it would be really easy to have a quilting bee or whatever it's called, where a bunch of people gather around the same quilt and work on it. :D

My dad said his mom had a frame that hung from the ceiling. I never quite understood...now I do!!!!!

I have one - but have never used it - it belonged to my MIL - I did watch her use it. What are your questions? Hers had holes on both ends of the long side bars and the short side bars. She just put in bolts (?) in the holes as she rolled it up.

I just looked at your picture again and if you have the quilt/back/batting pinned or fastened to all four sides - it won't work. You should only have the two long sides fastened. Leave the two short rows free - then put some temporary strips of fabric fastened to the rails to keep the sides taut while quilting. As you roll it up, then you re-position the sides. HTH

You need to have the quilt/batting/back pinned or fastened to all four sides to keep it taunt. I used thumb tacks and as I moved or rolled the ends I would remove the tack on each side as I got to it.

a friend yrsss ago did her quilting this way...the frame hung over her bed in her Bedroom...she was the most neatest quilter..looked like machine stitches..

I have 5-6 different size frames similar. Mine have round poles and they sit on legs of varying types. But same process. Roll as you go. Bulk is not bad. We get together a bunch of ladies from church every now and then and quilt on quilts. We call our group "Threads of Prayer" and have great get togethers talking, eating and laughing alot. We put on labels "Quilted with love, prayers and a few imperfections". My grandmother quilted from one suspended from ceiling at her church for almost 50 years. I love to still work the old fashioned way and get away from machine quilting now and then.