question about handquilting in a hoop
 

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could advise me about handquilting in a hoop....I have a queen sized quilt...and am only able to quilt towards myself, therefore I am constantly turning the hoop...what do you do with the rest of the quilt? I keep getting it tangled all around me as I literally turn the hoop every curve....argh!!!! Is there something I don't know????Thanks!

I hand quilted a queen size in a hoop and like you can only quilt toward myself. So I spent a lot of time turning and rearranging! I tried a floor hoop but couldn't get the hang of it. I will wait to see if we get some suggestions.

I bundle the quilt on my lap and just twist away. When it becomes too much or when 30 minutes have passed, I stand up, stretch and untwist the quilt :) Oh and usually I find one of my 5 cats in there somewhere. I usually save my quilting for winter or when the air condition is on cold.

I sometimes sit at a kitchen or dining table, and spread out as much as I can of the quilt on the table to lessen the weight.

I've had the same thing happen to me when I quilt in a hoop. Sorry I don't have the magic answer for you.

Maybe that is why I quit quilting in a hoop...it was really a struggle!

1. I twist and turn and then stand, stretch, shift, take a potty break, get a snack, whatever, then quilt and twist and turn some more. Sort of like Cyn.

2. I throw the body of the quilt across a 20" x 35" folding table that I have pulled up near me, and use that to support the weight and twisting....until the above breaks apply.

3. I try to turn the hoop in 90 - 180 degree turns only, first to the left then to the right sort of thing, and that seems to help untwist some of the mess.

4. I find I am so relaxed when I quilt that little things like having to untwist the quilt hardly bother me at all.:D

Jan in VA

you could try rolling the portion your not working on and use quilt clips. You could roll each area around the hoop so that portions not being quilted just stay in a roll.
they sell them for using when machine quilting with a regular sewing machine. Some use bicycle clips (for holding pant legs close to the leg)
Here is a picture of a quilt clip (one of several styles)

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[TD]Quilt Clips-Full Size
4 full size (3" round) quilt clips. Holds rolled quilt for machine quilting. Plastic, will not rust, stain or snag. Will not scratch machine or furniture.
70104 $4.95
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I have a QSnap floor quilting frame. Bought it with a 50% coupon from fabric store. I can quilt from right to left and away from myself using my thumb thimble. Do you call a thumb thimble a thumble?:D

Jan, I'm relatively new to this board AND quilting, but always read your posts because you seem so knowledgeable and experienced. Do you hand quilt many of your creations?