??? HAND quilting ???
 

I have been considering doing more hand quilting. I have only done 'Big Stitch' on my lap hoop.

My questions, can I do my quilts just using my hoops. I have a 14" lap hoop and a larger stand hoop (collecting dust). I do not have the space for a frame. Is there pros or cons using hoops?

Thank you in advance

yes you can use your hoops. Just have to baste more carefully.

Of course you can do large quilts using only a hoop. I have only hand quilted in a lap hoop. I have never hand quilted on a frame. I love using a lap hoop because you can turn it any which way you like so you are quilting in a direction that is comfortable for you. I have basted for a lap hoop with safety pins and I have done it with stitches and it has worked equally well both ways for me.

I'm working on a double size quilt. I found the floor hoop works well for the middle parts. For the outside parts that are easier to get to I'm using my lap hoop.

lots of quilters do not have large frames- or the space for them-and have always used a hoop- just baste well- and more the hoop around as you go- been done that way forever :)
back in the (olden days) one person might have had a frame- and many quilters would get together to use it (quilting bees) working together to get quilts quilted- but when they were working on their own they were using hoops and their lap.

The only con I know of with a hoop vs. floor frame is that you have to move it more often because you're working in a smaller space. But there are tons more pros! You can travel with it and quilt when you're out and about, you're not stuck in one spot in the house, you can rotate it in your lap and it's more comfortable, you can sit on any chair and quilt (or sofa, for that matter!), and the best part, IMO.... you get to be under the quilt while you are working on it.

Oh, one more con: it's a lot hotter to quilt in a hoop than a floor frame. So I plan on using floor frame in the summer!

I do all my quilts in a 18" hoop on a floor stand and it's just perfect for me. I can turn the quilt in the direction that is comfortable for me, I have enough space for it and it's very easy to remove one quilt and to put in another - just in case you have several quilts in progress! :)

Here is my quilting place near the window:

I'm the oddball here. I handquilt without using a frame OR a hoop. I DO baste very well before I start my quilting. I just can't get used to using a frame or hoop.

I usually use a hoop but have been known to not use one as well. I've done king-size quilts in my lap hoop. Far more comfortable for me.

I figure if some very talented hand quilters don't use any hoops or frames ... whatever you use is fine as long as you baste and don't pull too tight on the fabric.

ali

Yes you can do a large quilt in a hoop. In a pinch I have done a twin size quilt in a 10 inch embroidery hoop and it worked out fine with minimal basting.

I only hand quilt with a hoop (large oval) - I have never used a frame. I baste but not excessively. Run your hand around the back, inside the hoop, to make sure there are no wrinkles, before you start quilting.

ETA - Amen!! to sitting in a comfy chair or sofa while quilting!!

That is what I do my quilting on. I have a floor frame made from PVC pipe and it's very nice but love to quilt using a hoop.

You're not the only oddball, lol, I don't use either when I hand quilt myself. I baste very well with safety pins and just find the middle and go for it!

I've used a hoop for 28 years, never learned on a frame. Be sure that all the wrinkles are gone from the back after you tighten the nut, and then give the quilt a punch to loosen the tension, thus allowing smaller stitches.

You are not the only oddball...I also handquilt with out a frame or hoop when I do hand quilting. Basting is very important if you are going to quilt this way. My quilts turn out fine not using the hoop are frame and it is so much easier for me to quilt this way.

Noone has mentioned spray basting on this thread. I do all my hand quilting in a hoop and spray baste. Works wonderfully well!

I also don't use a hoop or a frame. I make sure that I either pin it well or baste it and then just quilt on my lap. I have also quilted while travelling on a train.

Wow and what hand quilting it is. Congratulations - that's a beauty.

I do most of my quilting in a hoop no matter the size of the quilt. I don't have room for my big wooden floor frame in my current house. Just baste really well before you start!

Caron Mosey
http://celebratehandquilting.blogspot.com

I am so afraid to start my kingsize quilt to do by hand. How do I get the 3 layers with no wrinkles. Can you sew across one side - so it doesnt shift and then start quilting to the other side. I have two quilts made but now I feel stuck. - Joan

My first quilt was almost king sized, and I did it by hand. I basted the layers before I started by stretching the backing out on my living room floor, then adding the batting and the top. Then I started quilting in the center and worked by way out.

Janet

Yes, you can use only a hoop or even no hoop or frame at all. Hawaiian quilts een the very big ones are often hand quilted on a hoop. I have two large hoops. One has a double hoop and it lifts it up a little off your lap. I really like that one for larger projects.

Have you basted them? I only baste the edges when I hand-quilt. I hold the layers together with clamps, not pins.
I always start in the center and work my way out. I put the quilt in the hoop and pull it tight, especially the backing. There's no way a wrinkle can get in there!! Then I push my thumbs in gently to give it a little "give" and check and double check and then only when I'm sure there are NO wrinkles (there will be some around the frame itself, but you're not quilting that close to the frame) I start quilting.
Take a deep breath and relax. This is supposed to be fun!

Oh with a hoop besure to baste and then work from the center out in a circle. I had the good fortune of having a friend that is an avid hand quilter show me how to work with with a hoop. Now my hand quilting, stitches, leaves some to be desired but it is very peaceful work.

I do baste, minimal with very large bastig stitches, the whole quilt but work very much the same after that. Yes, relax and enjoy. I also find it is nearly impossible to get wrinkles. The only time I did was when I quilted a section out of order. So I had quilted from the center out and then had skipped a section. When I tried to quilt that later it had wrinkles so I ended up taking everything past that skipped section out to straighten it. So besure to work from the center out in circles with hoop quilting.

I think the answer is baste, baste, baste and then you can even go without a hoop. You need to do what's most comfortable for you.

I like this hoop lap stand. You can find some of the smaller sizes on overstock.com and others on amazon too.
I think mine is 10 and 14 in. or so. You can use it either way, dismantle it for travel or use one by itself without the lift. They are non slip and don't wear like the wooden ones. No I am not affiliated with them. lol

http://www.nosliphoops.com/lap-stands.html

I am making my first quilt! :) The top is done (Amish Tulip Quilt with appliques). I've done a great job if I have to say so myself. I'm ready to start putting layers together and I want to hand quilt. I have a little bit of back trouble so I'm looking for the most comfortable way to proceed. So here are my questions:

1) Does the floor hoop pull close enough that you can quilt easily without leaning forward? Can you sit up straight or even lean back on a sofa to use that? OR

2) Would a lap hoop be easier on my back because my position could be more flexible?

Thank you in advance for your advice! Thank you to the woman I bumped into at JoAnn Fabrics who told me about this site.

Back in the day when I used to hand quilt, I didn't use any kind of hoop... I just had the quilt loose in my lap. Granted, I never did huge ones, but I just found hoops to be too cumbersome.

I saw the guy from Noslip hoops at the Cinti quilt show last month - and his product looks wonderful - well made. He also makes his own stencils, and focuses on the hand quilter!

My suggestion is baste, baste, baste. Look for Susan Schamber's method of basting. I do that now, and my quilt never shifts. I feel (esp for the larger quilts) take the time to baste the quilt (and it may take a few hours to do it well) but it was well worth the time because NOTHING shifted as I quilted on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA

Congratulations! Please post pictures of the quilt!
I have back problems too. I have found it is much easier to use my 14 inch lap hoop than on my floor frame. I like to baste on my floor frame, tho, but once it's basted, it's outtathere! I like the mobility of a lap hoop too. I can work on it in any room of my house or take it on the road!
Good luck and welcome to the board

Always start from the middle and work out. I like a hand hoop for the outter parts since you can sit back in your chair and relax. For the inner parts a floor hoop keeps it in place better since it's bulky. I do find with the floor hoop you need to lean somewhat. I use pillows behing my back. I think it's harder then a lap hoop for anyone with a back problem. Just my opinion.

I do the same thing. I use the floor hoop to start the middle of the quilt, and use the lap hoop once that is nice and tight.

Ditto to Val in IN. I have a frame I bought at JoAnn (PVC pipe) but I mainly use to to hold the quilt off the floor. Just baste or pin very well.

I use a PVC hand held frame to hand quilt held in my lap. I do not baste either, but pin well. I am very careful, though as I move to a new area that I have all the layers very even and smooth. I am thinking of making a standing frame that will fit in the small area in my room I have to work in for the summer months. I will use PVC for this and you can purchase greenhouse clamps of PVC to hold the quilt to the frame. You can purchase one like this already made, but I need to make mine to fit the space I have available.

Thank you!
 

Thank you all for the feedback! I am going to try the lap hoop; it's cheap and if I change my mind later I can always get something different.

I tried to upload a picture of the front of the quilt and got a message that the upload failed. Maybe the file is too large...??? And I don't know how to resize it. I'll try again another time.

Not the only oddball. I have used both frame and hoop and find quilting without is much easier (no moving all that fabric around) and it's more comfortable. Haven't noticed any difference in the quality of the work.

No hoop or frame here. Like it has been said before just baste it very well and go for it!

I am laughing because I am afraid to machine quilt because of wrinkles. Using the lap hoop I can smooth out the wrinkles as I go making my quilt nice and flat. Funny I never thought about adding some lack to the hoop, I kept it tight for years. This site teaches us all something new. I just purchased a floor hoop frame & love the idea of using it for the middle. Since I am moving to Fl next week I will be looking for ways to keep the weight & heat off of my lap!