Are you looking for a permanent standing one or portable? I like hand quilting while I'm watching TV or traveling, etc. I bought some PVC pipe with the corner pieces and then have the clip on pieces that go with it....you can make it as big or small as you want. That would cost you probably about $20. I got mine at either Home Depot or Lowes. They often sell them at quilt shops or quilting shows....but you'll pay more from them. I'd be interested in what you decide.

I know this is not a purchased quilt frame, but a gal in our guild brought in one that her husband made her out of sturdy plywood and 2x2 lumber. I comes apart completely and stores so flat that she can store it behind her door. The size is adjusted very easily to the size of the quilt and you can even take the quilt off the legs and roll it up around the 2x2's to move it or store it if you are not going to work on it for a while...it's amazing and costs next to nothing. I don't hand quilt, but that's what I'd use if I did, then spend the rest of the money on fabric....

I have two floor hoops. One is a "Hintenberg" and is a belive 36 inches round on a pedestal type base. It pivits and tilts . My only problem with it is I tend to over reach when using it. I sit in a wing chair and can move it toward me until the area I am working on is over my lap. The second is a Grace hoop also on a three legged pedestal. It has an arm that swings up and down and also extends over my lap. When I purchased it I got the two wooden pieces that you can pin the outside of your quilt to that have canvas to pin the quilt edge to. I rarely use them. I usually take the quilt out of the frame and lay it on my ping pong or other table to finish the last borders. I have done up to king size on either of the hoops. I keep one up stairs and one down. Years ago I had a long floor frame it was not an expensive one but it sure took up a lot of space. I pin baste my quilts using those curved safety pins.

I found a Grace EZ3-FF for $199.00 before tax and shipping. But just am not sure what to do.

I also hand quilt. My first quilt frame is the Edmunds maple quilting frame. You must attach fabric to the bars so you will be able to quilt to the ends. I use this on our closed in porch because there is more room there and good light during the day.
http://www.honeyforkfabrics.com/cgi-...ctid=fae5560d&
tracking5=froogle
I also have a floor frame with hoop from Joann's which works well in my bedroom with an Ott lite.
http://www.joann.com/joann/search/se...questid=157215
and a small table top quilt frame (hoop that you slip your hands under and can quilt 14" circle at a time).
If I had the extra money, I would go for the Grace Z44 Professional frame. Good luck

The first time I tried to hand quilt was on a frame that my Mother had. It's 4 boards with edging on them that are held together by c-clamps and balanced on chairs. The idea of a large frame is always something that I thought that I wanted. From practical experience a hoop or q-snap frames work out better. They will go where you go. A large frame means you have to stay where it is. I have quilted all size quilts on these two. Any thing from baby size up to a king size. It's no problem to do large quilts. I pin baste and start in the middle and then work my way around the center. A floor frame would be nice but I like the ability to be portable. Have you concidered finding room for it to be up most of the time until you are finished quilting? Remember it can take a long time to finish a large quilt.

I have always hand quilted with a round hoop about 14-16 inches in size, it is portable and goes where I go. Inexpensive and easy to work with. I had a Hintenberg frame on a stand and found it too clumsy for my purposes. I just baste my quilts well, start in the middle and work my way out. I have done up to Queen size this way.

That Ulmer sure is tempting.

Here's something else to consider: mobility!

The first floor frame I bought consists of two sturdy adjustable ends that accommodate 3 poles of whatever length I want to use. I bought (for a king sized quilt) the longest and straightest poles that I could find at the lumber store. At that time, I planned in future to buy shorter sets of poles for smaller quilts, but I never got to that point before I dismantled the frame and stored it away.

Because I am right handed, I can sew accurately and speedily from right to left, am mediocre going up or down, but it is barely possible for me to sew from left to right ... I am slow with it and still have a lot of do-overs.

I now hand-quilt using no frame or hoop ... the only requirement is that the quilt sandwich layers be firmly secured together. It is so liberating not to have any hoop or frame at all to get in my way. No re-hooping and no more trying to sew from left to right. I just love it. My speed and accuracy have much improved as well as my comfort level.

I'm not suggesting that this method is for you ... what I am suggesting is that you choose something that allows you freedom to sew in all directions.

I have an Ulmer that I am wanting to sell for about $75.00. They retail for $200.00 or so. Where are you located?

I have an Ulmer. It is easy to place your quilt on it. It tilts easily. It takes very little space to store, but I still prefer a small laptop frame where I don't have to reach so far. Of course, I am MUCH older than you, so if you desire a floor model, it is a good choice. I tried my friend's round one, but it wasn't as successful for me as my Ulmer. How very thoughtful of your mom to think of this gift.