Vanuatu Jill

I was wondering what all you hand-quilters use for quilting frames. I have several round hoops and a GraceHoop 2 floor stand with a 20" SQUARE hoop-which is great, but I still have to baste my quilts, and the hoop-types are awkward when doing a queen-size quilt. Just would like to get a SIMPLE frame that doesn't require the sandwich already basted! I also have a very strange problem=I really can only quilt left to right and top to bottom-I had a bar floor frame and found it hard to quilt in all directions. The hoops can rotate anyway I need them.

Prism99

Have you tried spray basting? I believe some people here spray baste and hand quilt. Another possibility is machine basting with soluble thread.

This is my favorite hoop because it can be quickly adjusted to any angle:
http://www.keepsakequilting.com/prod...APTOP-HOOP.htm

Vanuatu Jill

I recently bought 504 basting spray and have used it on my xmas tree ornaments and a couple mug mats, but haven't used it yet on a quilt. I was considering a lap hoop-but still have the problem of handling all the bulk of a queen size.

Tilladare

I have a Grace Hoop2 on my "I have to have this next" wish list. I had the Grace EZ3 years ago and loved it (This was before they came out with the Z44). The EZ3 was very easy to set up and put a quilt on, but, had to sell it when we relocated across country. I think you will find that any of the frame systems out there will somewhat force you to learn to quilt in all directions, or limit your quilting designs to allow for only certain directions.
There are straps you can get (or make) that attach to the sides of your hoop to sort of gather up all the bulk, that might be a help for you. Will see if I can find a link for them and post it for you.

Found the link!
http://www.nosliphoops.com/quilt-holders.html

Vanuatu Jill

Thanks, Tilladare, I have tried those bicycle clips, but they kept coming off and I gave up and relegated them to the bottom of my tool chest. If there is another gadget that works holding up the bulk of a large quilt while hand-quilting on your lap with a hoop or a stand hoop, I would love to try it. I was looking at the floor models, but I think I am really uncoordinated in my hand or something, as I have tried to quilt in other directions and really get frustrated! I have gone the limited directions since I started quilting (9 years or so) and have made well over 30 quilts with at least 15 of them queen size! I really want to be able to quilt in all directions!

Tilladare

http://www.nosliphoops.com/quilt-holders.html

These are sort of like the bicycle clips except they are flexible, and both sides of the clip opening attach to your hoop.
I'm doing a terrible job of describing this, but there is a pic on the link page

Vanuatu Jill

Wow! They look great-I will get a set -they look like they will work well! Thanks!!