Hooping a quilt sandwich
 

Looking for any helpful tricks and tips on hooping a quilt sandwich. I've been practicing on small pieces before I try working on a lap size waiting to be finished. Any thoughts or suggestions?

You are talking about hand quilting, right? I was taught to allow a lot of "give" in the middle -- equal to about a fist's size in both directions. In other words, do not hoop drum tight. You need to allow the sandwich in the middle of the hoop to be manipulated onto the needle easily.

Keep a little give in the fabric to help stitch. I use a PVC type frame that comes in several sizes. I work from the center out, making sure that the fabric is evenly tensioned on all layers. I do not baste my sandwich, but pin it, so I have to be careful as I move my frame that there are no buckles in the fabric..Have fun!!

I place my quilt sandwich front side up on the inner hoop. Then I place the outer hoop on it and tighten the screw. Turn the quilt over and pull the qilt back till you have no wrinkles. Do the same to the front. I don't leave much give to my project but that is a personal choice. So far I have had no shrinkage to the backing and all my projects have come out flat and ready for binding.

Also baste it so that all 3 layers become one. Some people do pin, i am more successful w/ basting.

Sorry, my error, I should have been more clear!!! I was actually talking about hooping a quilt for machine embroidery.

Depending on the thickness you may need to float the quilt on top of the hoop. You would still put stablizer on the hoop and you can spray it with spray adheasive and then lay the quilt and I'd use a couple of pins to make sure it stays and quilt it that way. When you do it that way it's called floating because you don't hoop it. You would also use this on delicate materials or things like balsa wood where you can't hoop. You need to make sure you have your machine in the middle of table so that the quilt will be fully supported and not tug on the machine; this needs to be done rather you hoop or float the quilt.