I say go for the method that works the best for YOU. I've seen people do their quilting all sorts of ways and still do beautiful work. I learned on a hoop and that seems to work best for me.

I have used a small hoop on some of my projects, but i am more comfortable and get more done without the hoop. I just spread my project out on my handy dandy card table and get to work.

No more getting the tension just right for the project -- I just go !!

BTW, all of my projects are full and larger. No hoop works good for me.

I chose to use a hand frame, but that is just to help me manage the fabric better. I keep it pretty loose in there. My friend Donna does not use a hoop for any of her small stuff but she has a really nice frame for the big quilts. I watched her work without the hoop and it is like she folds the fabric onto the needle to get these really even and small stitches - her work is so fantastic that she was once asked what setting she used on her sewing machine to get that stitch (all she uses is her ten fingers for EVERYTHING!!!! ) I tried without the hoop and my stitches looked like crud though I guess it is to each their own - if it works go with it.

For years I quilted without a hoop and still do on small projects but now I do larger quilts in a round hoop and got used to it. Now my problem is machine quilting. I'm having a hard time getting proficient (not anywhere near!) and I have just too many quilts to hand quilt them.

Watching Episode 203 and hearing that Suzanne Marshall doesn't use a hoop when she hand quilts made me feel soooo good. I don't use one either, but it was almost like getting permission to quilt the way I felt most comfortable. I always felt a little guilty that I never even had the urge to use a hoop or frame to quilt. Not that it stopped me from quilting. I recently finished a queen sized quilt that took me a year to hand quilt. I just loved the fact that I didn't have to sit in front of a frame or wrestle with a hoop and could quilt sitting in a comfortable chair watching my favorite movies or even a football (US style) game or two. One thing I did do, however, was have a throw pillow on my lap which served to raise up the work and support the quilt.

Add my name to those who love England. I dream of another visit.

I'll have a look at show 203 later on, I haven't seen that one yet.

I have my big quilts machine quilted now. But have hand quilted on a frame, on a hoop, and nothing. My smaller quilts,wallhangings I generally quilt without a hoop. Right now I have one that I quilted part of it on the hoop, because I did not have it basted enough. But am working on the detail quilting, without the hoop. Also have another small one that I have been quilting on and off without a hoop, I guess I need to get busy and finish some of my "WIP".

Margarita in Auburn,CA

I have hand quilted one queen size quilt on a quilt frame with my mother helping me. My next several quilts were smaller and I quilted them without a hoop. My mother always used a frame and felt guilty because I wasn't and bought a Grace Hoop. I used it to start several quilts but always ended up taking out and finishing without a hoop. I know I need to do better basting but I am so anxious to start quilting I don't baste as much as I should. I do quilt from the center out in all directions and so far I have not ended up with wrinkles on the back. I enjoy quilting without a frame and that's what quilting is all about. And it makes a great carry along project.

I have been working on hand quilting a Santa sampler and here's what I've done.

For the main stuff, grid lines and echo quilting, I did use a hoop. Of course it was well basted first.

For details on the Santas and trees where it's thicker, I'm not using a hoop. It's easier to get the small stitches through more thickness without the hoop.

Try an oval hoop. I like mine better than my round hoop. Keep at it and you'll get more comfortable.

Nancy in snowy Western NY

In my limited experience I have always used a frame or hoop. I think preference is in part the way you were taught...and yes how comfortable you are with a technique. You are in good company as Suzanne Marshall in episode 203 shows how she quilts without a hoop or frame. Her work is beautiful. I have also read comments from others on this site who don't use a hoop or frame when they hand quilt. More recently I have machine quilted most of my projects. But I do have a top from my great grandmother that I feel really must be handquilted so I may try the no hoop way on that top.

Lorna

PS I have only spent a couple weeks in England, mostly in and around London, but loved it! I hope to get back again someday.

Hi everybody - I am really enjoying being a member of this site and finding reading all the tips and watching the shows so useful. I was wondering how many of you out there quilt without using a hoop or frame? I have tried using a hoop and just can't get on with it - I seem to get on better with just grasping the fabric and getting stuck in! My stitches are neat, not incredibly small but still pleasing, although being a new quilter they will hopefully get smaller in time. Do many of you quilt without a hoop? Greetings from a windy UK!