Yes, yes, and yes. All of the above. Frame is used in the beginning....lap hoop for the edging hard to reach places, and no hoop at all after placing the binding on and those last few small areas touched up to reach the binding edge.

Amen Sister!! I was trying so hard, bought all kinds of hoops and frames when I saw a video for no hoop quilting. I haven't slowed down since!! Completed 8 laying-on-the-couch-size quilts this year!!

Due to hand issues, I no longer hand quilt, but when I did I loved to lap quilt...very relaxing, non-restrictive, and even got a couple of ribbons on quilts with comments that they were very flat :) so it works for me, but I know everyone has their preference.

I just finished a queen on a 18" hoop that's all I use. My son made me a PVC floo framebut can't seem to find the q-snaps to fit it. I have made many queen size and find the 18" hoops works real well for me.

I use both a hoop and a Q-snap frame. When I use a hoop to quilt a large quilt, I sit at the dining room table so the weight of the quilt is supported and I work from the center out. I have quilted several queen size quilts that way.

Hand quilting frame needed?
 

As a teacher of hand quilting since 1975-I've tried all types of frames. Old-time floor frames made my arms ache, hoops on stands I found awkward, no frame at all meant the stitches were uneven. I finally decided that a small wooden, or preferably plastic, hoop 14-inches in diameter worked best for me. I like the kind that has a depression on the inside of the outer hoop and a "V" bump on the inner hoop that locks the quilt sandwich into the outer hoop. This keeps the quilt taut and it won't loosen while quilting. The thing to remember is to ALWAYS remove the hoop when you put the quilt down, even for five minutes. This prevents having stretch marks in the fabric.
The trick to positioning the hoop is to open the outer hoop much wider than you think is necessary. Have the smaller hoop under the quilt and carefully position the quilt sandwich. Place the outer hoop in position and then push the outer edges of the together turn the screw to tighten, then lock it in place. What you must not do is smash the outer hoop over the quilt sandwich so the the three layers of the sandwich shift.
Good luck.
SandyQuilter

I use a hoop; I have two sizes and handquilt while I am watching (listening!) to TV. I have always made large projects, king and queen size quilts. It seems to work fine.

I haven't found the snaps available either, but Greenhouse clamps work well if you glue the thin rubber shelf liner to the inside to keep from shifting

I have used hoops, the PVC squares, the old fashioned hang from the ceiling type ( great for small spaces if you don't mind quilt being part of your decor for long periods of time), old fashioned 2x2 type that rests on kitchen chairs, and now a Grace Quilt ez44. What i use depends on size, space and whether it is a communal quilting project.
That said, I love the Grace frame because the tension gears and the 3 separate poles for backing. batting and top. mean i don't have to baste it together. It appears that Michael Flynns machine quilting set up is similar. When using the hoops and pvc frames it does help to know not to pull it taut.I learned that from QB and it did make the last project go so much faster but do have it well basted if doing this one.

I use a hoop. I love having the quilt on my lap, usually with a cat or two on one end of my quilt and another beneath it. In the winter it keeps me warm and in the summer when my husband keeps the air conditioning too high, it keeps me warm then too. I have tried a small frame and it just feels too confining to me. I will probably always use a hoop. I do vary the sizes sometimes, depending on the motif. The size of the quilt doesn't matter though, as I've done king size on my lap as well.

I've been using a Q-Snap pvc frame for a couple of years now. I have it tilted forward on added legs to ease back pain.

I lap quilt. I used a hoop for a while but had to keep moving it from area to area...so back to my lap. I've done all sizes too.

I use a frame for baby quilts or larger. But for smaller wall hangings, I sometimes use a hoop in a frame or a table-top hoop. There is a woman in my guild who never uses a frame and her quilting is beautiful.

Normally use a 14" hoop that works great sitting at the kitchen table, or resting on the arm of my chair. But, I also have a round (larger) rotating floor hoop that I really like, and DH made me several lap stands that allows the attached 12" (& 14") round hoops to move 360 and tilt back and forward or side to side. The lap stands are really great because you don't have the weight of the hoop resting on your arm - also works super if you are riding in a car (passenger of course). Haven't been able to master quilting with my thumb so I'd be pretty much useless around a floor frame.

I use Vonda's Quilt Frames. I found them online and love them. I originally thought I was going to get my grandmothers frames, but my aunt could not remember what she had done with them, and that turned out to be a good thing. I tried a hoop, but could not get the control I needed. Check Vonda's Quilt Frames out on line, and I think I may have seen a demonstration on YouTube, but can't be positive. The things I like most is that it is easy to set up. I can do it all by myself. A full size bed quilt took me about 45 minutes. Also, I can set them up to do anywhere from a baby to a king size quilt. So far, I have only done a lap/nap size and a full bed size quilt. When I am thru, I can break them down and they fit in a nice box with a carry handle, so I can put them in a closet. Grandma's frames had to be placed on top of rafters in the garage because they were all one piece.

At the Houston Quilt Festival, I saw a nice little floor frame on a stand that I would also like to have. My cousin who was with me did buy it. I was thinking it would be nice to have that for quilting smaller projects where I could be in the family room with my husband while I quilt. That is the only draw back to Vonda's frames, is that I set them up in my sewing room, so usually sew alone, except for the cat.

When I first learned to quilt, someone gave me a copy of Georgia Bonesteel's lap quilting hoop, and I've done it that way every since. I can control my stitches better if I can turn my quilt the way I'm sewing. I think each person has a way that works for them and they are all definitely different.

I lap quilt. I break my quilt up into sections, usually about 36" to 40". Then I attach them with QAYG. Have done blocks to wall hangings to queen size quilts. Love to hand quilt while watching TV. Have tried hoop and also frame, but they cause my fibro to flare.

I have gone through several changes in my hand quilting process. I have done everything from small wall hangings to huge king size quilts. I have a small floor frame, I like it but when quilting a pattern that curves, it is difficult to use. My arms only twist so far!!! i don't really use that anymore. I have a large hoop, and that works well so I can sit on the couch and work... I have done a few, small pieces without any hoop....And as it has been said before, BASTE WELL!
Ellen

I have never done lap quilting, except around the edges...I would love to try it since I get much neater stitching when doing this...Is basting the most critical thing to do?