How to Use a Wood Hoop to Quilt

Use a hoop to hold the quilt fabric straight during quilting.

Once you've basted your quilt together, you're ready to start the quilting process. While it's not strictly necessary, many quilters prefer to place their quilts in a holder of some type while they're quilting. A quilt frame is a traditional tool for holding the fabric but frames take up a large amount of space. Wood quilt hoops are a more compact option. Whether you're making a wall hanging or a king-sized quilt you can successfully complete the quilting using only a wood hoop to hold the fabric in place.

Things You'll Need

• Basted quilt
• Quilt hoop

Instructions

1. Turn the butterfly nut on the outer hoop to loosen it. Remove the outer wooden hoop and set it aside. Place the solid inner hoop on the table in front of you.

2. Lay the basted quilt over the inner quilt hoop with the quilt top facing up. Center the portion of the quilt you wish to work on into the middle of the hoop.

3. Turn the butterfly nut on the outer hoop to loosen it a bit more. Slide the loosened hoop over the quilt and bottom hoop, trapping the quilt between the two wood hoops.

4. Turn the quilt over and look at the fabric caught between the hoops. Check to make sure there are no folds or creases in the fabric. Straighten out any folds that you find.

5. Turn the hoop and quilt back over. Put one hand underneath the quilt and the other hand on top. Hold the hoop down with the top hand. Push your fingers gently up into the center of the quilt until there is a slight give. The center of the quilt should rise about one inch above the rim of the hoop.

6. Turn the butterfly nut on the outer hoop to tighten the hoop in place when the quilt is in the correct position.

7. Sit in a comfortable spot to begin quilting. Spread the excess quilt fabric over your legs and center the hoop in front of you. Quilt from the upper portion of the hoop to the lower portion. Turn the hoop and quilt to quilt lines that go in different directions, always keeping the needle aiming from the top to the bottom.

8. Move the quilt hoop when the portion of quilt in the center of the hoop is completely quilted. Loosen the outer hoop, slide the inner hoop to the side and replace the outer hoop in the same manner you did it the first time.

Tips & Warnings

• Begin quilting in the middle of a quilt and slowly move outward toward the border in concentric rings.

• Loosen the outer hoop when you are done quilting for the day. Never store your quilt with the hoop installed as this will put a strain on the fabric.

References

• Sandrea Baby Quilts:How to "Put a Quilt On" Using a Hoop