Hello all. I am a non-quilter, but I was thinking about getting my quilting friend a freestanding quilting frame for Christmas. She has a frame, but you have to hold it while you quilt. I was looking online and saw several kinds. I have no idea what is best... do you have a preference?

http://joann.com/joann/catalog/produ...PRODID=prd2684

http://joann.com/joann/catalog/produ...PRODID=prd2866

http://joann.com/joann/catalog/produ...RODID=prd38211

Or do you know somewhere else I should look?

Since I do not know your friend, it would be hard to say which she would prefer. If she uses a large round hoop and holds it in her lap, then the second one you posted would be most like it and might be a good choice. But, it may be that she uses the kind of hoop she has because that is what she likes--and maybe she does not want a floor stand.

A gift card to her favorite quilt shop-either local or online-would also make a sweet, thoughtful gift and would take the mystery out of what her preferences are.

Oh my, I'm not sure. i have a Q Snap frame. white PVC pipe thing. it works well. you just lay your quilt on it and snap the top pieces down (they have ribbing inside to keep the fabric from moving). i dont hand quilt much anymore.
it would depend on if the quilter wants to roll up the quilt as she moves along hand quilting, or just put it in a frame, round or not.
good luck. someone else will help you more I'm sure. :lol:

I would say ask her or the gift card thing because...

I hand quilt, it has taken me a very long time with lots of methods to finds out that I PREFER to use a small lap size Qsnap frame.

A large free standing Pvc frame is on my wish list...

A perfectly good full size wood quilt frame sits untouched in my closet... because I dont like to Pin/Baste the quilt to the frame, its akward and time consuming. the frame takes up alot of space, and its difficult to move when not in use

YOu are a great friend. I personally use two different floor hoops. One a Grace hoop that is a rounded 36"square on an arm that extends over my lap and the other is a 36" round Hintenberg hoop that I can sit with it spanning my lap. While they both take up some space they are not nearly as cumbersome as a large rectangular floor hoop. I use them for anything single bed size or larger. I use PVC frames for anything small enough to just cover my lap.
Both of my floor frames were expensive but I have more than gotten my money's worth out of both of them.
I would suggest you give your friend a gift card "toward" the frame of her choice.

thanks so much for all of your replies! Not sure what I'll do yet, but this helped!