I use a floor frame to quilt. It takes up a lot of room. I did not have any trouble putting the quilt in the frame. The frame was made by an Amish family who has a quilt store in the area where I work. The frame was only $120.00 which I think is pretty cheap. It can fit a King size quilt and I will attach pictures. This is my very first quilt that I have been hand quilting for over a year. Do not mind the mess. We are eventually moving my sewing area up into one of the spare bedrooms which will be much smaller. I use a leather thimble for everything. I switch it from my middle finger to my thumb when I have to go away from me. I don't have a problem with it, I think you will get used to it.

Kyia

Hi,

Years ago I had two large floor frames. I now use two different standing hoops. When I was using the floor frames I also used a rolling office chair. The thing I learned about quilting on those frames was how to use both hands. I am right handed but I can quilt with either hand whichever is the most comfortable. I wear a long leather thimble on my right middle finger and a short leather thimbe on my left thumb. I quilt at our local Senior center once a week for a couple of hours and we are using a floor hoop there. It took a little getting used to but now I have no problem using both hands.
Having learned to play the piano and touch type may have helped me use both hands with ease better than someone who does neither.

I no longer have space for the floor frames. Sold them years ago.

An older lady in our quilt guild uses a carpenter square to get the pieces of wood square. If the backing is squared up and the batting put on, it is relatively easy to pin the top on square. We quilt at the local fair in September and that's where I saw her "put the quilt in".

since I don't know how to make a link, I'll just type info for the thimble:
http://www.unitednotions.com/notions2005_302-308.pdf

doing an experiment, let's see if it works. :D

well, just call me a hot buttered biscuit...YUMMY!!
I copied and pasted addy, then highlighted and hit the URL box (clicked), and now I know how to make a link!!! I am so easily amused :D

thanks quiltncrazy!once again you come through for me. What would I do without you? I'm glad you are here to keep me straight. I need to order some thimbles myself. I love the leather one with the metal in the top.and the prices are great also. You're my Hero. :oops: :oops: You are a hot butter biscuit!

Ninnie

I quilt in a large floor frame at church, with the long boards and horses, not high tech! But I have gotten the ladies used to using rolling adjustable office chairs so it is easier to move around and adjust ones's body to quilt in one direction! I quilt toward my body and left to right, and right to left easily. When I have to quilt away from my body, I have a push thimble that looks like a flat knife with dimples. Then there are small metal things that you attach to any finger or thumb to use however you want. The one to use on top is dimpled, the one for the under is plain. Hope this helps. :lol:

well, Ninnie, you must be the jam that goes with, bc you are so sweet!

Thanks for the info on the thimbles, do they sell to the public or just wholesale? When I was looking for United Notions the only site that came up was a wholesale site. I'm wondering if they have other low cost notions besides thimbles. Thanks

Roselady: Do you have enough floor space for a large size quilt on frames? My current house simply doesn't have that kind of room. I have a grace frame that I am totally happy with because with the three rollers, I can use a small area, but still hand quilt big 'ens. I'd honestly re-think this purchase, considering the cost of shipping, etc. If you do much quilting, or plan to, I'd sure suggest a grace frame, or equalivent.

The floor frame I am interested in is a 3 roller type, my concerns are whether or not I will be able to quilt in all directions, since I am used to being able to turn my hoop to quilt in the most comfortable direction. Also since most of us don't have huge homes, and may not be able to put the quilt frame in a living area (to be able to quilt with the company of our family), if your frame is in your sewing room, do you mind having to be away from your family in order to quilt. I assume that you must occasionally use your thumb to quilt away from yourself, so do you use a thimble on it, if so what kind? Thanks, I hope this made more sence.