I rock, and for me it has to be in a hoop. Maybe I should try without the hoop and see if I can work faster. I'm really slow right now.

I do whatever it takes. For bed size quilts I use one of my floor hoops. At the senior center we have a long floor frame. It took me years to learn to do more than one stitch at a time. Now I can load up to 4 stitches depending on the fabric. I also use both hands when working on a frame. For small stuff like wallhangings etc. I use a PCP snap frame that you just hold in your hand. I was at my best when I used a size 12 needle. Since I developed an autoimmune disease 9 years ago my hands are not what they used to be. I now usally have to use at least a #9 needle.

i'm a rocker but when i use aunt becky you can't rock you let aunt becky do the work under the quilt it fun to but you quilt got to be loose in the flame and you put the needle in quilt first to pod so you can have needle stab then on to becky then keeping needle still push as you move aunt becky back and forth it fun

On the wall hangings I did , I rocked . On curves and corners I stabbed . On using pvc hand hoops , just make sure your top is very loose , looks weird but this is the way it needs to be . If you can find the Simply Quilts video with Luixin Newman [ the thimble lady ], please watch . She shows how loose your top needs to be . I think I spelled her first name right [ ? ] She may have a website , I'm not sure . She sells her thimbles . Annie

I rock. I like to quilt in a hoop b/c I can sit more comfortably. I also quilt at the frame but it is uncomfortable for my back.

Kyia

I'm a rocker. Never ever was a staber..I think it would take a little longer to complete a quilt that way.. Don-isewman1

I also rock and then stab the seams and myself once in a while. I really, really enjoy the hand quilting and I cannot use a hoop either.

After reading all of your posts, looks like I'm in the majority!

Well, I'm off to work, have a great day!!

I am a rocker also. I normally quilt in a hoop. I just like hand quilting much better than machine because I have more control and I don't have to wrestle all of that fabric and backing under the feed dogs. I haven't tried it without a hoop but maybe I will give it a shot when I do the edges for the one I am currently working on.

I tend to mostly rock, but I can't get more than 2 stitches on my needle. I may be keeping the fabric to tight.

I will stab depending on the pattern that I'm using or effect that I want. I used the stabbing method when I quilted the word "Longhorn" on a UT quilt for my Dad.

I rock, Can get 5 or 6 stitches on the needle, if I stab I am uneven. I am by no means perfect but sometimes wish my needle was longer. I also use a hoop, tired without and had uneven stitches and puckers in the quilt.