Be sure to stabilize your layers by basting around the perimeter and pinning the interior. I find the curved quilter's safety pins the easiest to position. You might need to sharpen them after a few uses. If a quilt is suffiently stabilized, then hand quilting can be done without a hoop. I flatten a section on a little lap desk and then can comfortably hand quilt outside or in an easy chair. Good for arthritic hands!