Hand Quilt without a frame
 

Have any of you hand quilters seen or own the book "Hand Quilt Without a Frame" by Barbara Schaffeld? If so, what is your opinion--worth the price or not?

My friend handquilts KS tops with a 18" embroidery frame. I think it is amazing. She starts with the lining spread out on the floor, then batting, then quilttop and pins away. Then she starts in the middle with her smallish hoop working her way around and finishes up with a lovely handquilted quilt, doing 3 or 4 a year after dinner watching TV. Wish I could do it but if I get on the floor I must have 2 very strong people to get me up. No laughing matter the way I fall around. Anyway She and I for years have discussed me learning how to hand quilt. What is going on in both of our lives we seldom see one another. She is still my best friend, always in my heart.

I haven't seen the book, but I never use a frame or hoop to handquilt. I just can't get the stitches even, and it's awkward to hold. I have 2 floor hoops too. One of them an expensive one that adjusts and spins 360 degrees. I just can't do it. I get nice, small even stitches without a frame or hoop, no stress,. Very relaxing to sit and quilt with the quilt laying on my lap, watching a good movie or a football game.

google "hand quilting without a frame" and you will get lots of references.

When you sandwich your quilt, do you pin, baste or both? How do you keep everything smooth?

I am fortunate enough to have a room in the basement where I have 4 boards and clamps. Clamp it together and put it on four legs and stretch the bottom,batting, and top on and start quilting. I can't get down on the floor so this is the best way for me and how I learned from my mother. Never have any problems with it not being flat, it is always smooth and use a chair with rollers so I can shift any which way I need to .

not that book, but i've heard of Lap quilting with Georgia Bonesteel.

I've got her book. Each square is quilted separately. I tried that and it's okay but this other book indicates that you don't quilt until the whole top is sandwiched.

I hand baste and clip the basting as I quilt. I also will start quilting in the center. One round is done clockwise the next counter clockwise. It helps me prevent skewing.

I can't get on the floor either!! Lol!!