Sunday, August 21, 2005

Quilting Without a Hoop

It astounds me that so many people quilt with frames and hoops. I gave that all up as too constrictive within the first 3 months of learning to quilt. It was difficult to make stitches, let alone even, small stitches. I think I was resorting to a lot of stab stitching and I hated every moment.

But I was determined to finish the bed quilt I'd started. (This was many, many years ago.) So I tossed aside the hoop and tried quilting without it. I discovered that it was far more relaxing and my quilting was superior in every way. That's how I've done it ever since. I've read of one quilter and met another who quilt in this same manner and swear by it. But that's it. Why does everyone else use hoops?

I thought I ought to mention how I quilt, because that might be why I can get away with sewing on borders the way I do, without measuring. I read in Gwen M's applique book about how she does her borders and she was saying how much stress her quilt top is under because she quilts in a frame. Made me realize that my tops are never under stress, because they are never stretched. When I baste (always with lots of safety pins these days - so much faster than thread basting) I just layer the backing, batting and top together and pin. No stretching.

I suppose the one drawback to quilting like this is that markings tend to get rubbed off, at least when I do them. So I never mark my quilting designs in advance, always just do a bitty bit as needed. Or, as in this case, I quilt without marking anything at all.

I coerced my husband into taking some photos of me quilting. He hates having people in his photos. Pictures should be of landscapes, monuments, architecture, whatever, with no people in sight whatsoever. Looking at our photos from the Nile cruise it practically looks like he went all by himself.

I'm wearing the Hand-Eze gloves which work fabulously for me. No more problems with numb wrists and fingers (I know, Bonnie, I know. Numb is bad.).

This is one of Habibi's favorite spots. There's a huge dip in the sofa cushion, he's spent so much time there.

I'm afraid my massage therapist is going to yell at me for posture or something.

Gotta take a break to give lovings to the kitty. Pokey often jumps up into my lap with a mrah-mrow for attention.


15 comments:

Frances said...

love the kitty photos :o)

I have never used a hoop or frame but I have never done a large quilt,

Catherine said...

I am very intimidated by hand quilting. Also always thought I needed to invest in a hoop or frame. I recently made a top that begs to be hand quilted. Should I just go for it. The "big stitch" appeals to me as well. That is what they call the utility stitch at the local shops here. Did you take a hand quilting class or just start on your own?

Tonya Ricucci said...

Catherine, I wrote you a whole post in answer to your question. Don't be intimidated by quilting. Just do it. No you don't need a hoop or frame. Would you post a picture of the quilt top on your site - I'd love to see it.
If you would hate to have quilting stitches of different lengths on your quilt, then start on a practise piece. It doesn't have to be large and can just be plain muslin. That way, after you've developed more confidence, then you can work on your quilt top.

Finn said...

Morning Tonya, love getting to see your picture, altho I do think your self portrait is neat..it's nice to see your pretty face. And that of your mom, she's beautiful. I know losing her is a hard piece. My mom died when I was 27, and she was 52.
Great shots of the fur babies in "action"..*VBS* And I see that neat faces piece you basted up..*G*

Lostinspace said...

I have always quilted on a table top, just rolled up the edges and put bicycle clips on them to hold them in place. For the first time I have some feathers, just plain wavy ones in 19"X3.5 " panels across the top, only 12 of them thank goodness as they are hard to do. The rest of it I am going to try and do sitting with my DH in the evening watching tv. I have just started marking with Crayola fine tipped washable markers, I tested them and it came out - some women on the Quilt Show Forum put me on to it, thought you might like to know. Thanks for the inspiration!

Thea said...

The quilting technique was interesting and I will have to try it. However, the strange thing is I have 4 cats and 2 of them are twins to the ones in your pics! George is my red and white one and CoCo is brown and white with blue eyes. Don't tell me you also have a calico and a grey and white one, too!

Unknown said...

I like to hand quilt but do not use a hoop, I find it much easier to have the quilt loose in my hands.

Fiona@Dragonfly-Crafts said...

Hi Tonya, I'm teaching myself to hand quilt today while on holidays. Thank god for your post. I'm trying with the hoop but just can't do it. Now I'm loving the quilting without it.
Thanks for making me feel "normal" :)
If only a couple of us xx

Unknown said...

Thank you for posting this! I have been all thumbs with hoops and didn't have funds for a frame, so this is wonderful. Your darling kitty cats are such a happy sight, too. Again, thank you, Tonya! -from Springtown, Texas.

Dee said...

Thanks for all of your input as I hate hoops too(for quilting)! I am without any sewing machine for the time being and am hand making my quilt (Lori Holt's Bloom quilt design) as a charity bazaar item for my special needs son' s school. I look forward to making it again for my own use. It is definately a stress reliever and I didn't know how easy it was to quilt by hand.

oldtimeyquiltin@gmail.com said...

Yep, I lap quilt, too. Actually, have a nice adjustable table that I spread out on. I just roll up as I go. Tried a hoop when I first decided to learn to quilt. No way, I'm not that coordinated!! A friend was going to buy me a standing frame for my birthday last year. Had to turn that down. Fixing to start a full size quilt, then a king size. Luck to me.

oldtimeyquiltin@gmail.com said...

Well, have the full size quilt pieced and my sandwich made. Looks really BIG! I think my Mom used to quilt on her bed. Me thinks might be tough on my back. Don't have a big enough table top, so I'll see what works.

Unknown said...

I too quilt without a frame and have a few tips for those starting out. 1) Figure out the stitch length you want to use and take a fine sharpie and Mark the length on the side of your non sewing thumb. I also Mark it over fingernail polish on my non sewing thumbnail. 2) If your shoulders or neck can't handle the full weight of the quilt then you can do a modified quilt as you go. I do the quilt in rows of 2 to 3 blocks and hand quilt them. Then I put them together using the quilt as you go method that doesn't use sashing. This is also great if you want portable projects.

Unknown said...

Oh My GOODNESS!!!
THANK YOU! I have a frame, I have a loop and I suck at hand quilting with these!. I have a king size quilt I am making for my friend and I am quilting a floral pattern on it. I was going crazy trying to do this! I'm so happy someone else would rather quilt with out a frame or hoop. I really love hand quilting and the imperfections that may go along with it. I feel it is a lost art with all of the quilting machines.
Again, thank you so much for posting this!
Becki Hamel

Unknown said...

Hello! I was very determined to hand quilt my most recent quilt. I tried hoops and frames, small, and large. Finally I decided to go without! What a huge difference. I've been practicing on a small wall hanging and my stitches have evolved from uneven large stitches to even and small stitches! I am now hand quilting a 72" × 106" quilt!