I am just curious to find out how many of you quilt on a frame like it was done in the old days or on a hoop??

I do it in a hoop, but my hands can't handle doing anything big. So I have to only do a little at a time.

I do a hoop also but may start using a frame as I am doing bigger projects. I like to be able to take it with me and am very used to moving the hoop in all sorts of directions. I'm not sure how I'll adjust to staying put and quilting without rotating....I guess we'll see soon (as I think grand thoughts of a WIP completed LOL).

I like a hoop the best. I am trying my little oval floor stand again but I still like the round hoop best. I cant quilt away from myself and with the hoop I can just rotate it as needed.

I don't use a hoop, I just hold the quilt in my hands.

I use a PVC floor frame when I want to quilt with friends, but usually I just use a PVC hand-held frame.

i've done one on my frame - which is now in the closet and i can't find half the parts. doubt i'll ever use it again. it ate my living room. :lol:

tried a hoop. it stretches things out of shape and i don't have both hands free when i need to stab instead of run-stitch. :?

i like best to work without either, nestled in my comfy chair, in front of the boob tube, with the quilt spread around me. that means lots and lots of basting. :roll:

so i just drape mine over my dining room table. the quilt stays nice and flat; little or no basting necessary; i have both hands free; i can move the quilt when i need to, or move me when i need to (chair's on wheels). works great. :D

no tv in the dining room, though. :x

i just can't win. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'm glad you asked this Louise. I'm ready to move on to larger projects and I just can't see machine quilting the larger quilts. I had thought I might try a hoop on a stand. I've used that type for cross stitch in the past. It's nice to have some input on this.

Cindy

For smaller projects, I don't use anything. I just quilt sitting on the couch and spreading the quilt out. I tried the quilting oval and it just drove me crazy. I spray baste.

On bigger quilts, I have a traditional quilt frame that does take up the living room.

In my sewing room, I also have the grace EZ3 frame. I'm excited to use that one, but haven't finished a second queen size quilt yet.

I use a small hoop. I have a stand hoop, but I really couldn't get used to manuvering it. I like being able to turn the small hoop whenever I want.

I just finished quilting a Sun Bonnet Sue Antique quilt I was given. I use a 14" hoop and set at a small card table in a straight back chair. I rest the quilt and frame on the table and it saves my shoulders and back from hurting. It was queen size and I basted it together before I started. Works best for me. Marge

I have tried all these techniques. I cant quilt in a frame because I cant learn to quilt up nor to the right. I can only go down or to the left.

I dont like a hoop as it distorts the layers where the hoop holds the quilt in place. And you have to have it loose in the hoop or you break needles...lots and lots of needles.

So, I learned to quilt hoopless. I baste it every two inches. Then hold the needled like I am hand piecing and just sew through all the layers. This has given me the best results...tiny stitches, comfortable, portable and most of all ENJOYABLE... I love hand quilting now.

I also learned to baste the quilt on a table top, sitting in a chair.. no crawling around on the floor or trying to find a big table to baste on.

Judy

Hi, Since I am a hand quilter for hire I have learned to do it all kinds of ways. For a bed size quilt I use on of my two standing frames. I have a 24 inch round Hintenberg frame hoop on a stand and a 24 inch square Grace hoop frame. Also on a stand. I learned long ago to quilt with either hand which is almost a necessity in a frame. I also have up to 20 needles at a time going. Between turning the hoops and using that many needles I can basically quilt the entire area in the frame before having to move it. For smaller more portable items I have several different size PCP frames. I often finish the borders by laying the almost completed quilt on a table so that I can work along the edges without any hoop.

I tried hoops and I have a frame but I prefer not to use them I quilt comfy in my recliner with the quilt spread around me.

I have an old (30's-40's) frame that needs more space than I can give it right now. The pvc lap frame I have started ou as 11"x17" but I put extra pipe on it to make it whatever size I want.

Clever idea, Moonpi!

I am really surprized at the number of you who prefer having the quilt spread on their lap.

Another thing that I also notice from your replies is that each one of you adapts whatever tool to quilt for your specific needs. One does not want to have back pains, another prefers seeing the whole quilt etc.. It is amazing how we manage to do our little thing according to what we want to achieve, with our own personnality.

I love quilters!! :D

I am another one who does not use a frame or hoop. I baste every three inches or so. I am sort of surprised to see the reponses in this thread. I had no idea so many people don't use frames or hoops.

I use a lap hoop, that way I have both hands free and can rotate it to go any way I want. I always take my quilt out of the hoop at the end of a session and haven't had trouble with stretching.

Last fall I bought a lap hoop to do cross stitching with.

You have all inspired me to try hand quilting!! :)

I use an 18 inch hoop. I have a quilting frame but it is Huge and I can't get the quilt to stay flat. Also I can't reach the middle I prefer being comfy in my chair and being able to turn the hoop as needed. I have done full, twin and queen size this way.

I really love hand quilting. I have done about 7 or 8 now, but they are all baby quilts. My quilting circle is going to do a birthday block exchange in 2009, and then I will start quilting a queen size. I am really looking forward to that.

I didn't know that they would do that. Great information!!!

Do they use a contrasting thread so that you can easily see it to remove after you are done quilting?

I hand quilt using a hoop - I have tried the oval standing hoop but like one of the other ladies I find I don't have as much control on where I want to go with my stitches. It felt akward. I have quilted everything from miniatures to queen size quilts with a simple hand held hoop. Someone just gave me one with the stand on the bottom that sits on your lap - going to try that one with the next project. Obviously it is like everything else in quilting ... try them all and do what works best for you . Have the large old fashioned floor frame but don't have the room to leave it up.

I have used a floor frame in the past but it takes up most of the living room. I have also used various sizes of hoops and done it without anything. I like a floor frame because it leaves the hands free and the scissors and thread can rest on the top and they are easier to find. I have a secretary's chair and it is just right to use at my old floor frame. I can scoot along the entire quilt that way. I just bought the Flynn frame but haven't had anything completed lately to use it on. I am about halfway on the queen size Dresden Plate and will use the Flynn Frame on it. I'd rather do it my hand but it wouldn't get done by Christmas that way.

Loretta,
I know that prices will vary around the country and from shop to shop but approximately what do you pay to have a quilt basted by the long arm quilter?
Thanks

When I hand quilt I use a lap size frame.

I hand quilt on a 3 roller, no baste frame. I have 'John Flynn's quilting frame. I have 2 of his older ones. I am quilting my husband quilt that is 120"x120". My husband has raised it to the ceiling because we dont have alot of room

Tish
from Vancouver, Wa

I quilt on o small hoop for my large quilts but nothing on my wallhangingss. I would love to get The frame that is made for the recliner. I saw it some where.

I just got an oval hoop with a floor stand at the thrift store for $4, some one didn't like it. So far I like it, I don't put mine in real tight, and just turn the whole thing. This was originally from Joanns for about $30.
I do quilt a bit different but it looks good. I have a rubber finger protector on my right index finger.......strange, but works for me. In another week I may decide I don't like it. Right now I sit in a rocker in front of the TV and window. :D

I'm using a full size quilt frame on a queen size project, an oval hoop on a wall-hanging size quilt project. I haven't try using none (I don't think I have). I would like to try it though. I always thought you have to have a loop or frame. I like hand piecing & quilting so that may just works out for me.

Thanks.
~ Quik

Well... this morning, I am supposed to receive a "fan design" quilting frame that my DH bought on ebay for me. t is supposed to adapt to any size of quilt, does not need any basting and it can be dismantled in a minute, even in the middle of work, if visitors come. I am all excited and I wonder if some of you have this quilting frame? I will post a picture when my husband will put it together so that you can see it.

I have never heard of the fan design and look forward to your pic and hearing what you think of it!

I've never heard of a fan design frame either. Am most curious.

I primarily quilt on a Grace Z-44. It has 4 rails & there is no basting of any kind to do. One rail for batting, one rail for backing, one rail for top & then the front rail where they all come together.
I also have a Grace portable floor frame & also a lap frame ,by Grace, also. (I oughta be paid a commision by those folks as much as I advertise for them! :mrgreen: )

Riley

This is the Z-44, nicknamed Mrs. Grace

Wow! That is an imposing piece of material! I just love the Sue Bonnet that you have on your frame in the picture!!

I received my "fan design" quilting frame this afternoon and already, I think I will love to work with it. I have no quilt ready for quilting; now, I am making a funny log cabin top and it is just at the beginning.

I will ask my DH to make pictures of it tomorrow to show you.