Handquilters: Have you tried this hoop?
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,572
I don't think I'd be comfortable with anything on a stand of any sort - lap or floor. I wiggle around way too much while I'm quilting so I just use a hoop in my lap or sometimes no hoop at all. And I just buy the cheapie hoops at JAF. They are only a couple of bucks; last a reasonably (several years) time and are easily replaced. I've been quilting for about 15+ years now and so far have only purchased 2 for < $10. Works for me.
#12
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Washington
Posts: 24
I am thinking this is the place to ask for input, I have already learned a lot from the above comments. I am getting ready to hand quilt a crib size quilt. What do you recommend for marking the fabric (a huge fear of mine is that it won't come out) and how best to hand quilt it. I have a large hoop with a leg that free stands, and it will tilt, should I start with that or a smaller hand/lap one?
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
I am thinking this is the place to ask for input, I have already learned a lot from the above comments. I am getting ready to hand quilt a crib size quilt. What do you recommend for marking the fabric (a huge fear of mine is that it won't come out) and how best to hand quilt it. I have a large hoop with a leg that free stands, and it will tilt, should I start with that or a smaller hand/lap one?
Marking is a huge topic in its own right. Are you marking stencils, or ? In general, I think the Crayola Ultra Washable fine markers work pretty well. If you do a search on them here on the QB you will find a number of threads with lots of info about them. All of the colors seem to come out, although some come out easier than others.
The most important thing I learned from hand quilting my first quilt is that batting choice is ***extremely*** important. I would highly recommend Hobbs 80/20 for ease of quilting and nice loft. If you want all-cotton batting, then look at the Quilter's Dream cotton battings (although you will not get as much loft). I recommend that you NOT use Warm and Natural or Nature's Touch, as these are cotton battings that are needlepunched through scrim. Scrim creates additional drag on the needle which makes hand quilting more difficult than it needs to be. Hobbs 80/20 is a great batting to start with and will be much easier on your hands.
#14
I just saw a video of a hoop from the thimblelady that I have never seen before. It looks wonderful but it's quite expensive so I'm wondering if anyone uses this one. It sits above your lap and takes the weight of the quilt off your body. It looks like it would be less stressful to the neck/shoulders. I googled thimblelady to find her (I was actually looking for her $50 thimble that someone else had posted about temporarily losing) and I stumbled upon this. Now I wonder is it worth it? I don't hand quilt that much anymore but oddly have 2 going right now. I would post the link if I knew how lol.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,572
If you have the ability to get to a fairly good-sized quilt show, you might find a vendor or two that has some hoops. When I was last at the Lancaster, PA show (several years ago now) there were vendors there that had hoops for hand quilting.
#18
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07-20-2011 06:26 AM