Using a Hoop for Hand Quilting

Many hand quilters prefer to use a hoop. In this short video, Carolyn Gibbs show beginners how to use a hand-held hoop. For more guidance on basic equipment and techniques, see www.carolyngib...

[@flatopfender]

Thanks for the info!

[@JacqsieRae]

I'm hand sewing a quilt for my adult son. I have a really old, huge hoop. I'm thinking instead of tying the layers together..i might quilt by hand, somehow. Thanks for Sharing your knowledge!

[@dianneunderwood8456]

Thank you - I am going to do (for the first time) some hand quilting on a large project. the area to be quilted is roughly 10" wide by 90" long, so I assume a 12 or 14" quilting hoop should be a good size? Your step by step approach is great for those of us venturing into a new area of sewing! Now I"m going to check out your rocking stitch video.

[@CarolynGibbsQuilts]

Yes - probably a 14" hoop if you can get one, as it's not easy to sew near the edge. Glad you found this video helpful - there is a whole series about hand quilting in the Techniques folder of my website. Enjoy hand quilting!

[@GeminiDolly52951]

What type of tape did you use to go around the hoop so the quilt fabric doesn't get damaged? I did like how you said to make the fabric loose enough so it touches the table before you screw the nut tighter. Thank you for showing this.🌹

[@CarolynGibbsQuilts]

I just used plain white cotton tape about 1" wide. Glad you found the video helpful

[@SaintOsburg]

Thanks for the great demonstration. I tried hand quilting but i think I pulled my stitches to tight. What is the correct tension, how tight should they be? i can't seem to get it right.

[@CarolynGibbsQuilts]

Any sort of quilting will pull the fabric in a bit - it often looks wrong if you have only done one section, but will look better when the whole area is finished. The main thing is to try to have a design which is approximately the same density all over - don't have one area with hardly any quilting next to another with much more. Then, if you have the fabric in your hoop slack enough so that you can press it down to the table underneath, and pull the thread just enough to come through the fabric, that should be about right. Have a look at my other video showing how I do the Rocking Stitch - that should help.

[@SaintOsburg]

@@CarolynGibbsQuilts thanks :)

[@MsAnduk]

Is there a special hoop for quilting ? I have been trying with no success with a regular size hoop, I noticed that your's is a bit wider, is that what I would need ?

[@CarolynGibbsQuilts]

Yes, an embroidery hoop is too small, and usually you can't do up the screw fastening because of the thickness of the wadding. I have written more about the larger quilting hoops on this page of my website, which you might find helpful: www.carolyngibbsquilts.co.uk/techniques/quilting/hand-quilting-basics-equipment-hoops/

[@getskilledalot3834]

@@CarolynGibbsQuilts I'm glad I found you. I've been searching for this information! Thank you.