No frame, no hoop, no thimble
 

I've been so frustrated with hand quilting. I've bought a PVS floor frame, a wooden quilting hoop and a top notch thimble. No luck with any of them. So, the other day, I just decided to "do it my way". I pin, pin, pin and pin some more and then quilt in my lap. I'm getting smaller stitches, more even stitches, and don't need the nerve pills any more. I'm finding this way much more relaxing for me. The thimble says nearby in case I need some extra push to get the needle through thicker areas I'm quilting. :):)

Glad you found a way that works for you.

You are not the only person that hand quilts that way.

Glad you persistence paid off for you!

Was not going to let this defeat me!! And it didn't. Horray for me!

My way too. I lay the end of my quilt over a tv tray to hold it up for me. That takes the weight off and it works great. So happy you conquered this, onward and upward. No end to what we can accomplish when we set our minds to it.

I do the same thing with the TV tray. Aren't we just too smart!!

glad you found what works for you

that's what i've been doing for decades. i was quilting before it became cool to quilt, so i didn't know i was supposed to use a frame and a thimble.

I hand quilt the same way and get much better stitches and control without a hoop or frame. I do wear a thimble... the pink one that is metal only on the tip and then pink rubber on the finger part. I use the rubber to 'grab' and pull the needle through, more than I use the metal tip to push.

I was beginning to think the "quilt police" would be after me for not using a frame or hoop. Just now realizing there are so many of us who do better with no frame or hoop. I'm also finding that my stitches are much smaller and more evenly spaced since I'm doing it on my lap. What a pleasure it is now to spend time quilting on a quilt for my youngest granddaughter.

I, too, use the thimble that has the metal piece in the tip. Really like it but mine is from Clover. Haven't seen the pink one. The hoop I use was from JoAnn's but is some sort of "plastic" like PVC pipe. I remember using an oval wooden one and didn't like it. It didn't stay fastened and too flimsy. I'd like to watch you quilt without a frame of some sort. This entire thing is doing what works for each of us--no right or wrong as long as we get to the end with a good product that pleases us.

Glad to hear that. I will need to try that.

I use a balloon to pull my needle through when needed.

Good for you! It's great that you found a way that works for you. There's no 'one-right-way' to approach hand quilting.

Will be looking forward to seeing your finished quilt!

I keep a pair of needle nosed pliers nearby.

that is how i hand quilt. I find it better for me too.

You go, girl!

I don't use a hoop either, just quilt in my lap. Been struggling with the weight/heat of the quilts and will sure give the TV Tray a try! As for pulling the needle through, I go to the pharmacy area at WalMart and buy Finger Cots. They are like getting just the tips from rubber gloves, they come in different sizes and are cheap. I use a thimble on one finger and a finger cot on the other. You can find them in the section with Band-aids and tape. I have not seen the pink thimble but would like to know the name of the vendor or where to purchase it. Guess I will do a search on ebay, too!

I also hand quilt with no frame/hoop. I do use a leather thimble though..my dd makes them for me and they last longer than the store kind. She discovered that by putting the rough side of the leather on the outside it is harder to pierce with the needle. Woodworking thimbles are made that way. Hubby is talking about getting me a frame but I keep telling him I don't need one. Will try the tray as it's awfully hot quilting here in the summer.

I have a nice large quilting frame. I can only sit at it about 30 minutes then my back starts to hurt. I was trying to quilt with a hoop but was finding that awkward at times. I just tried the no frame, no hoop method and I really like it!

I do use a thimble. I have a leather one I like. I recently picked up an inexpensive "plastic" one at the quilt shop and I like it. It is like those jelly shoes that used to be popular. My problem with a metal thimble is the side rubs on my ring finger causing a wee bit of pain.

Tell your DH to save his money or spend it on fabric for your stash! I have wasted money on all types of hoops including the PVC type, and don't like any of them. Yes, its hot here in FL, too, so I intend to try the tray table idea, too. I found the pink thimble at Missouri Star QC and ordered it when I ordered fabric. I can't get to Joanns and MSQC was cheaper than the ones I found on ebay. Should have it by next week so can try the new thimble and my tray table at the same time, and maybe I can finish up a UFO or two!

I just started hand quilting, and I did it with no hoop, no frame, no thimble ... it was pretty relaxing. Just need to practice a bit more on spacing, size of stitches, and I'll be off to the races!

Glad you found the best way for you!

I do it this way too. I don't usually pin though; I thread baste for hand quikting. It was too much for me to hold onto a hoop and manuver everything around. I do use a leather thimble otherwise I get a sore finger.

Wow! I am so excited to have found this thread! I feel vindicated. I recently went back to hand quilting after machine quilting for years. But when I did, I found hand quilting to be so awkward, even though I hand quilted my last quilt only about four years ago. Is it that I've aged and my fingers are no longer as nimble? After a little quilting, I had considered ripping out the stitches and heading for my sewing machine. I felt a sort of guilt for feeling that way. All the time I was teaching myself to free-motion quilt, I had romanticized going back to hand quilting a traditional Dresden Plate quilt I'd started years ago.

At first I tried a large oval hoop. That was awful. A much smaller round hoop was a little better, but still pretty miserable. My stitches were awkward and uneven. The quilt was heavy and cumbersome. (I usually have a cat perched on it). I was really frustrated. Finally, I decided to pitch the hoops and just bundle the fabric onto my lap with the bulk of it on a TV tray. Hand quilting is so much better now. My stitches are more even. I actually enjoy quilting this way and it goes much quicker. I do use a thimble, two actually, depending on which direction I'm working. I quilt forward with my index finger and backwards with my thumb. Thanks all and quiltingboard for sharing this information which I've found invaluable.

I use a hoop and a leather thimble but the way we hand quilt is as unique as we are.
I realized that when all of us hand quilters got together. Every person did something different.
The bottom line is to find what works for you, which you have. Great!

I have never used a frame or hoop when handquilting after I realized I didn't like using them. I never felt like I was doing it wrong not using a frame. I do use a thimble. I don't want a sore finger. I don't pin baste, I spray baste. I also use a running stitch with tiger tape when handquilting. I won the handquilting award at a local quild show yesterday! It was a small show about 50 quilts. The guild members voted for it and they don't know I don't do it the standard way. I think some would be shocked. LOL

Hmm, this is making me really think. I do have the PVC frame which I haven't used. (I have been wanting to). But if it doesn't work, maybe I could use it for a design wall on a smaller scale...
I took a class once from a teacher who did beautiful hand quilting and she used a small round table to support the weight, like a four person one.