"For some reason that motion is reduced when I gather the fabric in my left hand to maintain the tension rather than pushing up with my left hand underneath a frame. Maybe I am doing it wrong but I just cant sem to load the needle with one hand."

This is the way I've always quilted. No one taught me how, I just didn't have enough money for a hoop or frame. At first I did baby quilts than gradually worked my way up to full size quilts. It is just a matter of doing what is comfortable for you. Good Luck with whatever method you use. Remember, practice, practice. :)

I have only done a few small projects by hand without a frame. I know my grand Aunt Maude quilted on one of those large frames that I think her husband made. I can't see why you can't use the QAYG technique for hand quilting if it works for you.

I prefer to hand quilt without a hoop. I do much better that way.

Have you tryed using a lap hoop? Thats what I use, and it really helped.

I have bought 2 different hoops thinking a smaller one would be easier. I just can't get situated right so I ended up trying the hand quilting without a hoop and it works fine just puddled up in my lap. I have to admit that I am not very good at it and I still use the stab/up/down stitch....but it works for me and I enjoy the process of handing quilting even if I am doing it 'wrong'. I think the ironing board idea sounds great and plan to use that in my next hand quilted project.

I hand quilt usually with a lap hoop but sometimes without. I use a Thimblelady thimble which has you pushing the needle with the pad of your finger vs the tip of your finger. And if you use her method of quilting, you are essentially 'rocking' the fabric vs rocking your hand. If you use a hoop/frame, the trick is to keep the work very lose in the hoop so you can move the sandwich rather than your hand. It really is 'painless' quilting. If you use her longer needles, you can load many more stitches. I still prefer Roxanne needles though. I think they are a bit stronger. I can still manage to load a good 4-6 stitches on a #11 Roxanne between with no issue using a very lose work area.

Thanks for explaining, JNCT14. It isn't wrong if it works for you! I wish you the best trying this new method; it sounds as though many others have success with it.

I handquilt without a hoop. I baste the quilt sandwich with water soluable thread...works well

Here is the orphan block top that I would like to hand quilt. I like the ironing board idea and will try it.

I also have many issues with hand quilting/frames/hoops/Aunt Becky. I make good hand quilting progress with the quilt weight supported on my cutting table ... which is great for sewing long lines, like grid work. In the cool months, it comes off my cutting table and I sit underneath the quilt-in-progress to do the small areas that are awkward (but not impossible) to do when the quilt is on the table. This has worked well for me for many years. When I need my cutting table for other things, the QIP is easily removed and then put back again.