I need help on a decision and I know my quilting friends will be able to help me.

My mother is wanting to buy me a hand quilting frame for my graduation from college in May. She wants me to have a nice one that will hold different size quilts, one that I will be able to roll as I need to, and I want one that I can fold up and store when not using it.

Mom says she can only afford to spend $200 and the ones I have found are around $250 to $300. Can any of you help me with your experiences and suggestions?

I found a Grace EZ3-FF for $199.00 before tax and shipping. But just am not sure what to do.

Thank you!
Vanessa

I have the Grace Z23 and find it works quite well. I have used it several times mostly for baby quilts since I have yet to hand quilt anything larger. The first few quilts I loaded directly onto the frame and had to take them off to do the quilting around the edges, but that was not a big problem for crib size quilts. I have now made a set of fabric leaders to use with full size quilts. The frame is well made and fairly simple to work with, but it does take up a fair amount of space. I know many people use smaller frames that do not require so much floor space, but then you have to keep moving your quilt in the frame. Hope this info helps

It may not be exactly what you were looking for but I am probably going to buy this frame. I have bought the "roll" ones and they take up so much room even when they are folded down. You don't have to baste with this quilting frame.

http://www.ulmerquilter.com/

I use a round lap hoop that I bought at Joann's for under $20.00. I find it works as well as a large floor frame and more comfortable for me and my back. I just start in the center and work outward a block at a time. I even do large bed size quilts on it. My husband made me a small floor size frame out of the white plastic plumbers pipe and I bought the plastic clamps to go with it from an Amish store. I really like it but by back hurts after sitting at it for any length of time. I have seen these sold at Joann's for around $100. You just throw the quilt over the top of the frame and use the clamps to secure it. I think they work fine.

I have the Grace EZ3 frame. My dh gave it to me for Mother's Day 2 years ago. I have yet to complete a quilt on it.

Here is why:
This frame, when set up to hold a queen size quilt, is 100 inches wide by approx 40 inches deep. That is the entire length of my sewing room and half the width. You can fold this frame and "store" the quilt on it, I don't find that to be practical as I don't have vaulted ceilings and would have to lean it at a slant.
I also find the loading process confusing. What I thought would be very simple is quite complex and time consuming.

I use an oval frame on a stand that can be purchased for $50. The stand tilts. It takes up little room. The quilt has to rest on the floor, and the quilt has to be basted. Even though it is more work (to baste), I like this method best.

I will not sell my Grace frame as it was a gift from my dh. I will not use it though, because of the above reasons.

Louise C posted photo's of her fan type frame. Just type "fan type frame" in the search above. It looks interesting, and I believe she said she got it on e-bay. Not sure of the cost.

I have a large hand quilting frame that I never use. I prefer to hand quilt with this lap hoop:
http://www.keepsakequilting.com/prod...APTOP-HOOP.htm

It sits in my lap, so both hands are free to quilt. It is totally adjustable, so I can easily change the tilt and angle to make my hand quilting easy. That is impossible to do on a large quilting frame.

I have the Ulmer but think I would prefer a large hoop on a stand.

I am a beginner at quilting and have just completed my first quilt, Queen Size with a lap hoop ($20.oo) the width of my finger tip to elbow size. I had to baste my quilt first and did feel a little awkward hand quilting to begin with but after the first couple of evenings I was away! I think you will iether like it or hate it! I love it and even though I have a machine which can do quilting I just love to hand quilt and look forward to the evenings when I can sit down and relax, put my feet up and start quilting! I am sorry I cannot help with anything other than the hoop as I have no other experience, but I can truely say it is easy and enjoyable! Do give it a try even if you have to borrow one to have a go with!

Gal

I have an oval shaped lap hoop that I use. I tried the circle one but prefer the oval shaped.