This is a question for all you hand quilters out there. How do you feel about the lap stand frames? I've got the 24"x24" stand right now but when we're all in the livingroom watching TV it gets in the way and that's why I'm thinking about getting a lap stand. Opinions.

I hand quilt without a frame. Sorry I can't help you!

I loved mine. It is an oval.. Kept it up for just that.. Even was out when company came as decoration. hah!

mine is wood.

have fun !

Ell

Isn't that hard to do? Don't the layers shift around on you? I've always wondered how people can quilt with no frame.

I use a plain old lap hoop with no stand at all. This is how I learned to quilt. It enabled me to turn the quilt any which way, which probably ingrained bad quilting habits but I do love my lap hoop and love being able to contort myself into all kinds of positions to quilt.

.....me too, the frame just gets in my way; but I have several quilt frames in different sizes.

I thought you had to be a contortionist to quilt. LOL!!!

Here's the hand quilting hoop I love:

http://www.keepsakequilting.com/prod...PTOP-HOOP-.htm

The ball makes the hoop very easily to swivel the hoop to any angle or direction that will make stitching easier, and it's very easy to release and tighten the wing nuts for the position you want. The underneath hand is unobstructed, and the entire hoop sits in your lap.

There is a half-hoop adapater available for it too (makes stitching borders easier).

I use a floor frame for most of my quilting, but for small quilts I use a plain, round hoop, no stand. It's 18" wide, and cost all of $4 20 years ago.

Janet

I have one similar (Grace Co.) and I'm ashamed to say that I have never used it. I thought it would be good for using while in the car and traveling but it turns out that I'm so comfortable with my !8" and 24" plain round frames that I just couldn't adjust to the new one. I also bought the Q snap frame and have never used it. Shame on me!

I bought one in Lancaster last year and the same quilt is on it. In the same spot. I need to find a decent needle and thimble. And I'm too critical of my stitches. So in frustration, it sits.

sorry don't ever use a hoop or frame of any description

I tried a hoop and hated it. It got in my way. I pin profusely and start in the middle and go for it. It is very liberating after trying it with a hoop.

Thanks! That's like the one I'm looking at.

I may just have to try this. The quilt I'm working on now is 3/4 finished so it's stitched down secure.

Once you're done you won't notice your mistakes.

Janet

This is AWESOME!!!! I didn't know they had one to rotate now......Another thing on my list to buy............... Dang List is getting toooo long.hehehe

I use Clover brand 12 Betweens needles and a Roxanne thimble (only thimble I've ever been able to use). Your stitches will get better and better the longer you quilt. None of us make a perfect stitch so just have fun with it. :-)

I have a Barnett's laptop hoop frame and I flip it over and mark as I go just like it describes on this page-

http://www.laptophoops.com/Original-Design-Frames.html

I absolutely love it!!

I have a square hand held hoop that snaps together and is made out of PVC pipe. Had it so long I don't know what it's called. I like it because with a round hoop you have to re-hoop so often and cover the same area so often to get to every space. With a square hoop you get every inch and don't cover the same area so often. A square peg fits better in a square hole. I made muslin sleeves to fit over two of the sides. I pin these to the edges of the quilt when I'm quilting the edges. Works great for me. They have covers to snap over the edges to hold the quilt in place. By rotating these snap-on covers you can adjust the tension of the quilt also. This all unsnaps and you store for foot long sections of pipe until the next time. Easier than a round hoop.
I have a large oval frame too but that is in the basement and rarely gets used. (Under water this past weekend, hope it's not warped.) Because I move the quilt to be more comfortable to me, I have trouble working with someone else, like at a quilting bee. I don't like to sit up to the frame. I'm used to sitting back and relaxing while I quilt.

This is the one I have also, I love it. I had always used a regular hoop for quilting, but I realized that my shoulders, neck, arms were not enjoying it so much. I found mine on ebay for alot less than new.

I like the base of their sit on frame! Not as wide as the others I've looked at. It would be perfect if it had a square hoop.

I quilt with a hand held round wood hoop. It works well for me. I tried quilting without a frame/hoop, but my quilting was not as even and smooth.

I have quilted one quilt with a large frame I borrowed from a friend. I liked using it. That was 25 years ago. I bought an old frame on a yard sale last year, but haven't used it yet. I will have to take down a bed in a spare room to have space to put it up.

hoops of any sort do not work for me. i only lap quilt, which means no hoop.

I used to have a 30" dia. Hinterberg hoop that swiveled 360º & stood on the floor. I loved it, but the grooves on the center post started falling apart & the legs would fall off. Now I settle for a 14" cheapie hoop I've had since the mid 80s. Can't quilt without a hoop. Am quilting a Dear Jane, but it's set aside until summer is over. We had to use the A/C today - first time this year.

I use a 18" hoop on a stand and it always stays at the same place near the terrace door. When I go to a quilter's meeting I take my 16" wooden hoop. I have always quilted with a hoop and I won't change it I think.

I'm another hoop person - no stand. Don't think I could sit comfortably with any type stand. I sit back in my recliner and quilt away. Sometimes no hoop at all - depends on the quilt.

I use Hinterberg 14" lap hoop It is a wonderful hoop Take a look at this hoop www.hinterbergdesigns.com
it is designed to help take the load of a large quilt of the quilter. They are 79.99 so worth the price.
e-bay has one now for 65.95. I teach quilting and when ladies try this hoop they fall in love with it.

I use an oval wooden hoop that my mother gave me several years ago. It belonged to my grandmother. It can be put on a stand, but I've never used it.

I always thought I would like a frame I saw one time. Instead of being on legs, it hung from the ceiling. When you were finished quilting for the day, you just pulled the ropes and pulled the quilt to the ceiling, out of the way. Unfortunately with my ceiling I can't do that, but I thought it looked really neat.

I have the wooden oval hoop on the floor, a pvc quilting frame and also use a hoop in my lap. I like all three.

I also have one of those quilting frames made from PVC piping. Can't recall what they are called but I purchased mine from a craft show a long time ago. Mine can be formed into a square or a rectangle so it is very versatile.

I have a hoop very similar to Prism99's. I have had it for 4 or 5 years and have tried to use it but couldn't. Tried to sell it, but couldn't so it's in the closet with the UFO's.

I forgot I have one of those too, I purchased it a auction in the town I live in. It is nice too.

If you go to grace frames they have a very nice one. It is the one I use on small projects. I also have the Z44 frame for larger quilts. I'm just learning to hand quilt but I love it, it seems so relaxing to me

I have a 24" round quilting hoop. I don't use a stand, and quilt in my lap. Doesn't get in anyone's way and easy to maneuver.

I've used old fashioned quilt frames, Grace quilt frames, and finally settled on a hoop on my lap. It seems easier on my back for one thing and is a lot more portable. I don't do much hand quilting any more and, if I do, it's usually at a quilt group meeting or while traveling.

I have one that you can use any where, it is round and will not get in the way. PM me if you are interested, I have never had time to use it. I'll send picture and price.

Cookie

Have any of you hand quilters out there tried the Sharon Shamber's method of basting the quilt.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA
Supposedly it does not shift while you are workign on it. I am willing to try anything if it will save me hassles in the long run.
Otherwise, what do you do to stabilize that quilt while you are working on it?
Thanks for sharing.

I have never used anything but an 18" hoop. I like to easily check the back of my work, especially when making an intricate design. Frames just take up too much room. Lap quilting allows you to be in the same room with the family!