Hand quilters question
 

Do you use a frame, a hoop or do you lap quilt?

I use a PVC frame. I bought them in different sizes. I also bought the free standing PVC frame, but found it difficult to work with in a small space. Once I move I will be able to put it in a place that I can use a rolling chair to scoot around for ease of stitiching in different areas on the frame.

I use a hoop, but mostly do crib quilt and lap quilts. I will pull out the quilting frame for the queen size quilt I am making (should I ever get that far)

I use a frame most of the time, and a hoop for smaller projects. I like the frame because it keeps the quilt off my lap, and I can quilt all year long.

Janet

I've always used a hoop. I like that it's somewhat portable, if you have a large enough bag.... On the other hand, I'm thinking of moving to a frame to ease my hands a bit. Not a full size frame (I wish I had the space) but something that would take the weight of it, freeing up my hands.

I use a hoop but I have never hand quilted anything larger than a lap quilt. I don't have a lot of room in my house so even if I were to quilt big I would probably just use my big hoop! Lol* :) They have those ones that you can buy with the little bar that you sit on to stabilize it.

I use a hoop for large and small projects. Since I only work on hand quilting during the winter months it's easy to put away for the summer. Baste well, start in the middle and work out.

I use a Q-Snap PVC floor frame. I just love it. I have a quilt on it all the time and if I have ten minutes, then I quilt ten minutes....great therapy and always ready.

I use my husband's grandmothers hoop on bigger quilts:on smaller ones I just hold it in my lap.

I lap quilt. I tried a hoop and it just got in my way. I love lap quilting on a cold winter day all snug in the quilt I am working on.

I use the "No Slip Hoop" - 14" made of plastic. Can be purchased at Joann's. I also use this in all my hand quiting classes.

I used to have one of those PVC ones, I just couldn't get comfortable and ached everywhere. It took me a whole winter to do a double quilt. Now I'm lap quilting, but nothing very big. I have tried a hoop but don't know how to hold it up, it is in my way too.

I hand quilted a queen size using a hoop. I think it is 14-16" and about an inch high. It took me a long time of starts and stops but I love the finished product.

I have a frame - similar to the PVC floor frame at JoAnn's, but it's made of wood w/ foldable legs. It's perfect! I have used a hoop and balanced on a chair in front me so that I can get my hand underneath it. I am thinking about getting a hoop on a stand that will fold up and be portable for traveling purposes.

I use a Q-Snap PVC floor frame too. I keep it out in my den when I have a quilt on it.

Hmm, that gives me an idea, I have one of those wooden stands for cross stitch stretchers, maybe I could balance a large hoop on it for big quilts. Has anyone tried the hoop with the part you sit on??

I use a wooden 14" hoop whilst I sit in my recliner, all sizes of quilts. Nice and comfy in the winter, not so much in the summer. But I'm usually too busy with the garden and outside stuff in the summer to quilt much anyway.

My stitches come out better when I use a hoop but sometimes I get tired of using it and lap quilt, so I usually do both in one quilt.

I use a round 18" hoop that I got from Walmart--must be 30 yrs ago. I love it! I have done K sz quilts--just start in the center and travel around to keep it all smooth (I've always basted the layers). I can sit in recliner or rocker with arms and prop one side of the hoop on the arm rest. Easy as pie for me. I have a lge oval that fits onto a stand, but I've never liked it.

yes.
i use a hoop
i use a frame,
i lap quilt
it depends on the project- what is easier for that particular circumstance- some quilts i have a heck of a time if hooped- but want them portable- find it easier to just 'lap quilt' some projects i have to have the hoop- some projects for me are best in the large floor frame.
small projects (baby quilts, table toppers, ect) are generally done without a hoop or frame- unless the quilting design is very detailed- extensive.
larger projects or ones that are very detailed-densely quilted i use a hoop if i'm taking it with me- the frame if i'm only working on it at home.

i use a morgan quilt hoop

Never used a hoop, never had a problem

I tried using a hoop and it felt so darn awkward. Tried handquilting without it... that felt like the most natural thing!

Several of the handquilters I know use a hoop.

Hoop for the middle (q-snap, 14"), then switch to lap quilting as I get to the edges. So far I have only done lap quilts this time around. I grew up with a quilting frame a permanent fixture, and everybody worked it - even first time visitors would be asked to place a few stitches! But, as others have mentioned, it takes up a lot of space.

I find it easier to use my lap....I find hoops a bit awkward.

My mother use to use frames. She had different sizes that my dad made her, and she used hoops too. Not just on her lap, but I am a lap person. Feels freeing, and comfortable. Just my style.

Hoop, hoop, hoop all the way. Most of my quilts are queen size. Basted well, never had a problem with pleats or tucks. I do miss my recliner tho, now i have a love seat, and it is just not the same.

I have always hand quilted on my lap no matter what size the quilt never used a hoop

I lap quilt. I tried the round hoop, the PVC frame from JoAnn's but I never could seem to get the tension right for hand quilting. So, now I have a frame that merely holds the fabric (I'm quilting a queen) but basically, I'm holding the material in my left hand as I quilt with my right hand. I just remember to pin, pin, pin and get everthing tight and smooth before I start quilting.

I do not use either. I just put my right hand underneath the area that I am quilting, pull it taunt and quilt with my left hand. Since I have RA, I can only do one stitch at a time and they are not real tiny stitches, but I am happy with them. I am currently working on a twin size quilt. I hand quilted 5 quilts last year and will be giving them as Christmas Gifts to my 5 grandchildren this year.

I use a frame which is mounted on four legs with clamps at the corners for all sizes of quilts. I have several different size boards, the biggest being two for 120 inch quilts.

I have a q-snap PVC frame but never use it. I used to use a hoop but taught my dog to jump through it because I never use it either. I just baste well and drag my quilt of any size around, quilting in my lap. I just have more control over the needle that way.

When I was in my own home I had a really nice 3 rail wooden frame - no room for it here (it was 9' long) Now DD & I use a qsnap floor frame for large quilts & hoops for smaller - One thing I learned with the qsanp _ I sew leaders to all sides of the quilt - makes it much easier to quilt right up to the edge

hugs
Shirley in Indiana

I've made queen size and double bed quilts using a large hoop but I too only quilt in winter.
I like it because when I'm not quilting it's easier to store. It's a bit clumsy but you get use
to it.

I do not. For years I thought it was a must and I just could not get the process to be smooth. Then I sat with an experienced quilter who has working on a queen sized quilt with not hoop. Her advise was skip the hoop if it doesn't work for you and stitch a way. I tried it and what a difference for ME. I haven't used a hoop since and my end product is much better. Try both ways and go with the one that give your the results and quilting pleasure your desire.

I just found these no slip hoops and I love them. I use them for small projects and my Grace frame for my large quilts. I bought my hoops at Hobby Lobby.

I rarely hand quilt anything large, so I just lap quilt. My mom hand quilts sizes up to queen and uses the same hoop her grandmother used. It makes my heart sing to see the hoop in use for future generations. :-)

I also use a frame which is mounted on four legs with clamps at the corners for all sizes of quilts. I have several different size boards, the biggest being two for 120 inch quilts, I put my quilt in and baste it, usually each block separate, and after it is all basted, I take it out of the frame and quilt in a 14' hoop in my lap. I do everything thing this way, most of my quilts are queen to king size. My back cannot handle bending over the frame for very long, that is why I use the frame to baste, and the way I baste, nothing is going to move anywhere. When I quilt, I remove the basting threads, one block at a time. It works for my, My mother always told me it could not be done that way, but as I say, it works for me.

I use a 14 inch hoop for smaller projects. I quilted a double quilt and used the Hinterberg hoop that sits on the floor.