I use a large wooden hoop when I hand quilt . . no basting...just safety pins. I have some plastic stencils that I have used to trace designs on the quilt top (before sandwiching) and there are marking pencils available at most craft stores. Some people use chalk or a "pouncing pad" that holds chalk, but I have never had one of those.

If I want a special design on my quilt I use a stencil or trace around an object like a cookie cutter with a washout marker or an eraseable pencil. I then lay out the back, batting and top on my Ping Pong table and baste the whole thing together with safety pins. At home I quilt on one of two round floor hoops I have. Each is about 36" around. For pieced geometric designs I usually just echo quilt around the piecing.

Hi there, glad to hear there are other hand quilters and those who want to give it a try. You need to sandwich your quilt, either baste it with large stitches, I use a different color thread. Or use safety pins and start in the middle and work your way out. Then mark it with a quilters pencil, chalk or a method you like. I love the new chalk marking method. But is mark as you go. You can mark the entire quilt with something a little more permenant but make sure it washes out. Then start quilting in a hoop can make it more manageable. Good luck.
PS: Quilt shops have plenty of stencils to make designs, or you can start out by stitching in straight lines or following your quilt block. There are many options.

thank you for the great idea this is the first time to try this i always yarn tied before