mawspaws

I don't use anything. Make sure it's all pinned or loosely sewn, straight and flat. I have tried a hoop, it doesn't work for me.

weezie

No hoops and no frame; tried both and prefer nothing ... just me and my quilt, which is pin-basted and I take the pins out as I go. Re: quilt weight & convenience ... in hot/warm weather, a large quilt is frequently spread out on my big cutting table where I do long straight grid marking (w/painter's tape) & stitching. I leave the small areas for cold weather, when I sit on my bed with my back up against the headboard (+ a big comfy pillow behind me); the light from a tall bedside/table lamp shines right where I need it and, with the quilt on the bed (and covering me), again there is no quilt weight problem + it keeps me nice & warm. I have a large wicker basket (w/handle) that holds all my hand quilting goodies; it goes wherever the quilt & I go.

Rann

I use a hoop. Get one large enough that you won't have to rehoop every 10 minutes. Joanns actually has decent regular prices on these--much better than their regular hoops.

time2quilt

I love the PVC frames - they are square/rectangle, in a variety of sizes and I keep the quilt pretty tight as I quilt. Fits perfectly in my lap. I start in the middle of the quilt and work my way out....

campion

I use a hoop for the middle of quilt then when I get to the outside stips I don't.

maryb119

I use a Q-snap floor frame. I like it because its rectangle and does not pull on the bias so my quilting looks good.

JCL in FL

I hand quilt most of my quilts and I used to use the large oval hoop then I went to the PVC square because it is so much quicker to move from are to area and now unless it's a small project I use the larger PVC frame. It is so nice to move it quickly and it's up off my body so it isn't as hot to quilt. I also quilt most of my larger quilts in sections so I am not juggling lots of fabric. It also fold up completely flat if you need to take it down and you can leave the quilt in it, if you like.
You need your fabric with slack but not too loose. It really comes down to what is comfortable for you. I've seen some wonderful quilts done by the stab method and no frame at all.I don't use a frame around the edges, I lay it on a table and quilt it. I used to have a large frame and it was nice to quilt on but a pain to move the fabric. It was an older one and you had to pin the edges of the quilt to a piece of fabric on each side. By the time I move it to a new area I was ready for a break plus it took up a lot of space. If you can long arm , you can hand quilt, it just takes lots longer to do it.

Bren

Both.

louisebuck

i use a pvc frame have quilted all size on it
i have my frame for number of years and i love it
louise in arkansas

BettyM

A hoop helps to keep the tension right so that the fabric doesn't pucker while you quilt. There is no reason why you can't quilt without a hoop if you make sure there's no puckering.