From what I read on here, it sounds like most of you hand quilters either quilt without a hoop, in your lap or with a hoop, in your lap. If any of you use or have used in the past a hoop on a stand, I would love your opinions, both good and bad. If it is ok on this board, list brands. I have tried one in the past, it appeared to be well built, but would fall over when I put a quilt in it. I am still interested in one, if there is one that really works well. Thanks!!

I'm one of those hoops in lap kinda people. I tried to get the hang of the ones built for your lap at the quilt store and thought it was pretty but not necessary. I was uncomfortable trying to adjust to it & I move my legs around a lot when I'm sitting. I thought, heck I can get one for next to nothing just by staying with a regular hoop and move my legs whenever I want.

My grandma sent me 2, mom sent me a couple and I picked up a few small ones at a garage sale for 1.00 total. The small ones I use for decoration in my sewing room because they've seen better days. I use a large embroidery plastic one (hot pink ooh la la) for compact work and an antique large wooden one for my regular quilting. One is an antique wooden oval hoop, but haven't tried it yet.

Good luck in finding out more info. I'd bring a small project to work on and see if you really like it first. I thought I'd love it.

I am one who either quilts with the quilt in my lap (no hoop) or I quilt with a frame. I am not fond of hoops and my experience with them was that they never were big enough to let me quilt for long without needing to take everything apart and reset it. And I never seemed to get the right tension for me to develop good quilting stitches. My husband says I am a bit OCD because I will pick out stitches if they are not perfectly even. I couldn't seem to get that effect by using a hoop and spent more time redoing stitches and getting frustrated. When it becomes frustrating it means I am not having fun and quilting is supposed to be fun and relaxing. I mostly just hand quilt with the quilt in my lap, which means I usually save hand quilting for winter when having the weight of the quilt on me isn't going to cause me to pass out from heat exhaustion. :lol: Now oddly enough, I can hand quilt off a large frame and have no problems. I enjoy sitting in front of a frame and I just finished watching Joe the Quilter's dvd on how to build a homemade frame for about twenty dollars. Guess what I want for Christmas! :lol:

That is just my experience though. I know for some people they work wonderfully. The experience you had with the hoop stand falling over every time you put a quilt in it is one I have heard before. I think if you enjoy using a hoop and it works for you, there should be one or two styles out there with a different, more sturdy stand. Hopefully someone can help you out and list a brand that provides that. Good luck! Let us know if you find something that works.
Piece ~ Tiffany

When I quilt in a hoop I like to be free of a stand. Due to the mobility. I take mine wherever I go and move sometimes where I sit. Plus the fact when I go to class, etc I can easily put in a basket. If a stand is what you want to try to free up your lap and keep it in the same spot if you get up and leave the area, then go for it:))Personally, I like the hoop free. I picked up my hoop(s) in garage sales. The most I paid was about 50cents and they are nice and thick/deep. (and, big):0)I do have a stand I can put my hoop in if I would like to, and have never used it:))Hope this didn't confuse:))Skeat

I got a hoop on a stand...yep they tip over to easy. I think they are better for something lighter. Lap is still better :D

I am saving up to get one that I hope I will be able to clamp onto my sewing table. Won't know til it gets here though.