when you hand quilt do you always use a frame ? I am ready to hand quilt and I wonder if I can do it without it?

many people quilt without the frame. i have to have a frame.

I've tried it both ways, but like quilting better without a frame.

I have to have a frame to keep my quilt tight. I would think without your quilt would not have a smooth finish

I usually use a lap hoop. Makes the project portable, but then I don't hand quilt really large pieces. It has a base that sits comfortably on your lap and you can turn the hoop all the way around until you find a comfortable position. I purchased mine many moons ago in Paducah.

I use a hoop.

In fact I am taking a break, from 'big stitch' hand quilting. Poor little fingers are starting to get a little sore.

I have to have a frame. I use the square pvc pipe type. That way when you rehoop you don't have to cover as much as the round one does.
My friend never uses a frame.

I use the pvc pipe hoop, that I bought from Joann's...I think it is about 14". I absolutely love it, I can make it as tight or as loose as I want, and it takes up little room when we travel...I do have several wooden hoops, but I don't find they are as easy to use as this one....and the upside: not expensive. The wooden ones are over $100. I have quilted small wall quilts up to queen size. I currently started a whole cloth quilt yesterday, a queen. Sometimes it is clumsy, but I like it. I just posted 3 UFO finished quilts, and each was quilted on this hoop from Joann's.

I don't use a frame but I have experimented with different size hoops and one of the pvc type mini frames that I got at a garage sale. They all work to varying degrees, depending on what part of the quilt I am working on.

i use a hoop