I agree. I haven't used a hoop for years, but you need to be very careful that the backing is tight. Good luck. You'll love it and it's very relaxing once you're comfortable with it.

did i read your intial post correctly. You have never hand quilted and you hooped up a real quilt and started without having hand quilted before. This is not good. You need to practice first until you feel comfortable with hand quilting and then go to the real thing.

This link may help you figure out what size hoop will work best for you.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2042382_use-quilting-hoop.html

From my experience, most hand quilters will use a 14" hoop. I hope this helps.

Harry Barnett

I love that block---does it have a name?

The very first quilt I ever made I hooped and hand quilted. I think it is neat to see the improvements as I went a long, I am buy no means great at it but have already done about 8 quilts. And other people seen to like them.

I am pretty bad about thinking I can do anything. I am going to make a little practice piece today out of my scraps. I finished a "V" bock yesterday just to see if I could do it so I can use that for a practice piece. Still have the same batting scraps to use with it so that should be a help.

QuiltingaddictUK- I LOOOOVE it!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing :D:D

Okay, "chuffed" is a British word- translate please??? lol :D:D:D

I also wondered about chuffed.

Chuffed
–adjective British Informal .
delighted; pleased; satisfied.
Hope this helps!