Hinterland

What works for one quilter may not work for another. I would try a hoop without a stand, and then invest in something else if that doesn't work.

I've read that you should measure from your elbow to your hand to get the right size. I have hoops from 12" to 20", and use whichever hoop gets the job done easiest and quickest.

Janet

batikmystique

You are very correct, Janet...thank you for pointing that out. I will just have to try a couple of different hoop options.

Sleepy Hollow

I have the Jean Brown lapstand (I also use an Aunt Becky) and really like it. I quilt all over the place-- at home on the couch, at work in one room that has a table and one room with very limited space, as well as in a rocking chair, etc. Sometimes it would be nice if the stand tilted, but I just put part of the blanket under the stand if I need to, or prop the hoop part on top of a table or something. I'm on my second baby quilt with it and really like it.

Because I don't sit in a chair "properly", I would not be able to use a stand you sit on. I curl up too much, or put my feet up on another chair/table, etc.

I've thought of just using a hoop, but not sure how that would work with all the places I quilt, sometimes there is no way to prop up a hoop, and because of the type of job I have, I try to avoid finger pricks, which is why I use the aunt becky.

The Grace Company tilt hoop looks pretty cool though!

illinois

No stand for me. I use a 14" hoop that I purchased at JAF. It's especially for quilting, not the embroidery type. I like the flexibility of not having a stand. Can prop the frame in my lap using either a table in front of me or simply piling the quilt in my lap to support the other side of the hoop. Have never caught on to the Aunt Becky but I have one.

ckcowl

The size of the hoop depends on you. Are you tall ( long arms) or short? I have a 16" hoop I love, I have a friend who is much shorter than I am and uses a 12" hoop. It depends on what is comfortable for you. I slant mine, or use it off the base on my lap.

AZ Jane

Hoopless here!!

margecam52

I don't use a hoop at all. I make sure to baste the quilt well, using thread and needle...taking large stitches from the center out (with the quilt sandwich laid out on a large table, or the floor)..I stitch from center out to a corner, then from center out to opposite corner, repeat for other corners, then straight out to the 4 sides, then in between each straight line and corner line...this lets me quilt from the center out, just sitting and stitching...no hoop needed. I haven't had any issues, even with a king size quilt...except it gets hot under the quilt, lol.

Mostly now, I machine quilt.

batikmystique

Thank you, everyone...and it's great to get information from those not using hoops. I don't see myself quilting hoopless, not that talented yet! I will continue to check back here for more great tips and guidance.��

Fabric Galore

I live in Florida and I can't stand the weight of a quilt on my lap even in air conditioning and a ceiling fan right over me. My former SIL built me a free standing quilt frame that will hold a king size quilt. My DH helped me mount a queen size quilt into the frame yesterday and I can hand quilt without a load of heavy fabric in my lap.

batikmystique

Losie, I'm in Texas so I can totally appreciate the heat issue. Maybe three months out of the year I would welcome the warmth of a quilt I would be making. Thank you for replying!