Should you use a (hoop) frame ?

Many people who hand quilt feel in order to get a smooth hand quilted end product, you MUST use a frame. Well, that is NOT TRUE ! It is your choice. If you are hand quilting, a hoop is not always the best solution. If you have a quilt that has buttons, beads or other embellishments on it, you do not want to put it in a frame (hoop) and risk damaging to embellishments. If you are using a fabric that might show the marks from the frame, or might damage the fabric then do not use a hand frame.  Now, when I say frame I am talking about the hand frames, not the big roller type frames, I am talking about the hoop style frames .  I do not use a frame when I am quilting a design that has a lot of circles, or curves, it takes alot of time to keep putting the quilt in and out of the frame everytime you complete a section.  If you do not use a frame you must take extra care in basting your project. You can either pin baste or hand stitch baste. I find when I am hand quilting it is easier to hand stitch baste the project, and not deal with the pins, and the thread getting stuck on the safty pins. If I am machine quilting I will use the safty pins to baste, and just remove them as I get close to them.

The important things to remember are this:

It is your choice, try it both ways and see which is most comfortable for you.

Baste your project together no matter which method you choose, with pins or hand stitching.

And third and final suggestion is buy a good, sturdy  large quilting hoop. Quilting hoops are not to be confussed with the thin wooden embroidery hoops. Quilting hoops can be square or

round, they    are usually made of heavy plastic or thick wood and are designed for quilting.  It takes a heavy frame to hold the pieced top, the inside linning and the backing together.  Most of all, relax, use good lighting and enjoy the learning process.