rj.neihart

Yes, yes, and yes. All of the above. Frame is used in the beginning....lap hoop for the edging hard to reach places, and no hoop at all after placing the binding on and those last few small areas touched up to reach the binding edge.

AZ Jane

Amen Sister!! I was trying so hard, bought all kinds of hoops and frames when I saw a video for no hoop quilting. I haven't slowed down since!! Completed 8 laying-on-the-couch-size quilts this year!!

patchsamkim

Due to hand issues, I no longer hand quilt, but when I did I loved to lap quilt...very relaxing, non-restrictive, and even got a couple of ribbons on quilts with comments that they were very flat so it works for me, but I know everyone has their preference.

Donna P

I just finished a queen on a 18" hoop that's all I use. My son made me a PVC floo framebut can't seem to find the q-snaps to fit it. I have made many queen size and find the 18" hoops works real well for me.

carolynjo

I use both a hoop and a Q-snap frame. When I use a hoop to quilt a large quilt, I sit at the dining room table so the weight of the quilt is supported and I work from the center out. I have quilted several queen size quilts that way.

sandyquilts

As a teacher of hand quilting since 1975-I've tried all types of frames. Old-time floor frames made my arms ache, hoops on stands I found awkward, no frame at all meant the stitches were uneven. I finally decided that a small wooden, or preferably plastic, hoop 14-inches in diameter worked best for me. I like the kind that has a depression on the inside of the outer hoop and a "V" bump on the inner hoop that locks the quilt sandwich into the outer hoop. This keeps the quilt taut and it won't loosen while quilting. The thing to remember is to ALWAYS remove the hoop when you put the quilt down, even for five minutes. This prevents having stretch marks in the fabric.
The trick to positioning the hoop is to open the outer hoop much wider than you think is necessary. Have the smaller hoop under the quilt and carefully position the quilt sandwich. Place the outer hoop in position and then push the outer edges of the together turn the screw to tighten, then lock it in place. What you must not do is smash the outer hoop over the quilt sandwich so the the three layers of the sandwich shift.
Good luck.
SandyQuilter

fabricbeforefood

I use a hoop; I have two sizes and handquilt while I am watching (listening!) to TV. I have always made large projects, king and queen size quilts. It seems to work fine.

Pat625

I haven't found the snaps available either, but Greenhouse clamps work well if you glue the thin rubber shelf liner to the inside to keep from shifting

riutzelj

I have used hoops, the PVC squares, the old fashioned hang from the ceiling type ( great for small spaces if you don't mind quilt being part of your decor for long periods of time), old fashioned 2x2 type that rests on kitchen chairs, and now a Grace Quilt ez44. What i use depends on size, space and whether it is a communal quilting project.
That said, I love the Grace frame because the tension gears and the 3 separate poles for backing. batting and top. mean i don't have to baste it together. It appears that Michael Flynns machine quilting set up is similar. When using the hoops and pvc frames it does help to know not to pull it taut.I learned that from QB and it did make the last project go so much faster but do have it well basted if doing this one.

rural01

I use a hoop. I love having the quilt on my lap, usually with a cat or two on one end of my quilt and another beneath it. In the winter it keeps me warm and in the summer when my husband keeps the air conditioning too high, it keeps me warm then too. I have tried a small frame and it just feels too confining to me. I will probably always use a hoop. I do vary the sizes sometimes, depending on the motif. The size of the quilt doesn't matter though, as I've done king size on my lap as well.