Quilting is a craft that has been around since the early 1800s. Today, it is a hobby enjoyed by millions of people across the globe.
Hand Quilting is a great way to relax and enjoy time spent with family and friends. Hand Quilting is a fun and relaxing hobby that involves stitching together fabric pieces using thread or yarn.
The process usually takes place on a frame called a “quilt frame”.
These frames come in various sizes and shapes, and they are often decorated with beautiful designs. There are several types of quilt frames available today.
Some are designed specifically for quilting, while others are meant for other purposes such as needlepoint. If you want to get started with quilting, then you should consider buying a quilt frame.
Here are 9 of the best hand quilting frames. We love them so we know you will too!
1. Q-Snap Floor Frame
The Q-Snap floor frame is one of our favorite quilt frames. It features an innovative design that allows users to easily snap their fabric pieces onto the frame.
This makes quilting much easier than ever before. It comes with a removable base plate that can be used to attach your fabric pieces.
The Q-Snap floor frame is easy to assemble and disassemble, which makes it compact and easy to store. The dimensions are 35.5x4x12 inches.
All together it created a pretty sturdy quilting frame, cube-shaped, that comes up to about your waist. This depends on height. So if you’re Slenderman tall, it’ll come up to your knees.
The frame weighs around 2 pounds so it’s not too heavy. Because of its easy disassembly and lightweight nature, this quilting frame is pretty portable.
It’s great to take along to any quilting emergencies. The maximum size of your quilt on this frame can be up to 39×28 inches, which is around 100cm.
So as you can see it gives you a very good sized quilt. The only negative we have to say about this easy to use frame is that it only comes in white.
Though we’d have to argue that the color of the frame isn’t as important as its build. And the Q-Snap floor frame is built incredibly sturdy and can handle even the most intricate quilts.
Pros
- Easy assembly/de-assembly
- Portable and lightweight
- Good sized quilt display
- Good height
- Sturdy
- Affordable
Cons
- Only comes in white
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2. Amish Made Oak Wood 22 Inch Swiveling Quilting Hoop And Stand
This is another excellent choice when it comes to quilting frames. This frame is Amish made, which means it’s entirely handmade from the old country.
It comes with a swivel stand that lets you rotate your quilt 90 degrees. This makes it super easy to change out your fabrics without having to move the whole thing.
Plus, it also helps prevent tangles from forming. There’s an easy to release lock that fixes your quilt in place, and with a flick can release it just as easily.
Made from solid wood constructed by Amish woodworkers, this is a very sturdy quilting frame. The dimensions of this quilting frame are 23 x 22 x 33 inches. It weighs around a hefty 16 pounds due to the material it’s made from.
So while it’s not the most lightweight or portable, it’s durable. It’s designed for use after use after use. It’s made from oak wood and has a medium walnut stain. This frame is a beautiful piece of art.
It’s really easy to set up. Just slide your fabric into the frame, adjust the tension, and you’re ready to go. The stand is adjustable and rotatable. It works well with smaller projects like baby blankets or small quilts. It’s got a nice weight to it so it doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap.
Pros
- Solid wood construction
- Rotating stand
- Very sturdy
Cons
- Heavyweight
- Not the best for large quilts
- Requires some assembly
3. Grace Start-Right EZ3 No-Baste Hand Quilting Frame
The Grace Start-Right EZ3 No Baste Hand Quilting Frame is perfect for beginners and experts alike. With no basting required, there’s nothing to mess up your quilt. It’s also easy to assemble and disassemble.
With this frame, you don’t need to worry about knots because it’s completely knot-free. There are also no pins or staples needed to hold your quilt together.
All you do is simply use the adjustable tube to lock in your fabric. And there’s no basting required! Not sure what basting is? Head over to our Buyer’s Guide below where we go over key quilting terms.
This hand quilting frame features a convenient foldaway system that makes it compact. It’s easy to store away when not in use.
It’s so compact it can easily be stored under a bed. It’s also easy enough to transport. The dimensions for this quilting frame measure 24 x 29 x 30 inches.
It weighs around 20 pounds, making it fairly heavy and it can get heavier depending on the weight of the project. It’s made from premium dense Baltic birch plywood and has rails made from aluminum.
This means the rails are very adjustable and built with quilting in mind. Because of the size of this frame, it’s designed with expert quilters in mind.
Pros
- No basting required
- Knot free
- Easy to assemble/disassemble
- Great for beginners and experts
- Compact storage design
- Affordable price
Cons
- May require more assembly than other frames
- Weighty
- Smaller projects may not fit
4. Dritz 3129 Quilters Floor Quilt Frame
The Dritz 3129 Quilters Floor Quilt comes in a few easy assemble parts. Similar to the Q-Snap, the difference is that this frame is adjustable in height. It’s also easier to put together.
It’s a great choice if you want a versatile quilting frame. It’s easy to set up and adjust. It’s also very stable. It’s made from high-quality materials and is very well constructed. It’s made from durable steel and plastic.
It’s lightweight and portable. It measures 12 x 4.5 x 36.5 inches and weighs just 9 pounds. It’s ideal for quilters who prefer floor quilting. This frame has a simple locking mechanism.
It’s super easy to use and fast to assemble. Once assembled, you’ll have a stable surface to work on. It’s also easy and safe to move around. You won’t find a better quilter’s frame anywhere else.
It’s sturdy and reliable. It’s also easy on the wallet. It’s priced affordably and is worth every penny.
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Simple to assemble
- Easy to move around
- Affordable price
Cons
- Not suitable for wall hanging
- Requires some assembly
5. American Dream Adjustable Oak Lap Frame LS001
This lap frame is perfect for those who love to quilt but hate having to deal with all the mess associated with traditional quilts.
With this lap frame, you don’t have to worry about knots because it’s completely knot-free. The only thing you need to worry about is how much space you want between each layer of your quilt.
There are two ways to attach your fabric. One way is by using an adhesive strip. Another way is by using a special tool called the “Quilt Stitch” which allows you to stitch through the layers without leaving any holes.
This lap frame is extremely versatile. It’s easy to assemble and disassemble. It’s also very durable. It’s made from solid oak wood and metal. It’s available in different sizes and colors. It’s also very affordable.
If you’re looking for a lap frame that will allow you to easily sew through multiple layers of fabric, then this is the one for your home studio.
It’s also very compact. It’s easy to store away when not in use. This frame includes side supports and extenders bars of up to 12inches in length, with 20inch heavy duty scroll rods.
Pros
- Very easy to assemble and disassemble
- Solid construction
- Versatile
- Affordable price
- Can be used as a lap frame or a wall hanger
Cons
- May not be suitable for large projects
- Requires assembly
6. Tomorrow’s Treasures Oak Lap Or Tabletop Frame
Tomorrow’s Treasures Oak Lap or Tabletop frame is a versatile frame that does exactly what it says on the tin. It can be used as either a lap or tabletop frame.
The beautifully crafted frame is made from red oak and has a 20-inch webbing frame. It allows two-handed stitching and has lots of versatile configurations.
Named Tomorrow’s Treasures, because that’s exactly what you’ll be creating on this frame, it comes with a stand that makes it possible to place the frame on a table while you work.
It’s made from high-quality materials and is very sturdy. Weighing in at 4.1 pounds, the frame isn’t too heavy compared with others.
Remember, this is designed to fit comfortably on your lap.
Pros
- Lap or Tabletop frame
- Allows 2 handed stitching
- Lightweight
- High-quality red oak
Cons
- Better for smaller projects
7. Frank A. Edmunds Universal Craft Stand
Frank A. Edmunds is a legacy brand in the world of quilting. Established in the 1950s, they have all the quilting and stitching tools you’ll ever need.
They offer a wide range of products including sewing machines, embroidery hoops, and even quilting frames. Their quilting frames come in various styles and designs.
The Universal Craft Stand stands out among other quilting frames due to its versatility. It’s lightweight and portable. It’s also very easy to set up and take down. It doesn’t require any assembly.
All you need to do is open the box and start working. The UCS features a strong wooden base and an adjustable spine. It can hold quilts of all different types and sizes!
Pros
- Adjustable
- Rotates 360 degrees
- Established brand
- Sturdy
Cons
- Fine-tuning the setup can take time
8. Frank A. Edmunds 18″ Hoop With Adjustable Stand
Frank A. Edmundson 18 inch Hoop Frame with stand is a versatile frame that will suit most needs. This frame is perfect for both beginners and experienced quilters. It’s very easy to assemble and use.
It’s also very lightweight. It’s ideal for quilters who prefer to do their sewing rather than using a machine. It’s made from solid hardwood and weighs only 3 pounds. It’s very durable and long-lasting. It’s also very affordable.
The stand weighs around 5 pounds. Its dimensions are 18.5x2x18.5 inches. So while it’s not huge, it’s still a pretty decent size for the average quilt.
Pros
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Affordable price
Cons
- Not suitable for larger projects
9. Frank A. Edmunds American Legacy Full Size Quilt Frame
The Frank A. Edmunds Legacy Full Size Quilt Frame is designed specifically for extreme quilters. It has been crafted to provide stability and durability. It’s made from heavy-gauge steel tubing.
It’s also very strong and stable. It’s easy to operate. It’s also very easy to assemble and is great for people looking to quilt a lot. Though be warned, this frame is huge.
It’s around 49x 3.75x 10.75 inches and weighs a whopping 25 pounds – which makes it the heaviest frame on our list.
This frame is designed for quilters who like to do their sewing. It’s a great option for quilters who want a bigger frame for heavier projects.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Heavy duty
- Great for learning
Cons
- Very large
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide
Knowing what to look out for when buying a frame is tricky. Especially if this is your first frame.
Here are some of the things to look out for and keywords you might come across!
Frame Type
What type of frame do you want? There are many options available but here are just a few.
- Quilt Frame – These are usually smaller and lighter than a hoop or wall-mounted frame. They’re good for small projects such as baby blankets and pillowcases.
- Hoop Frame – These are typically used for larger projects. They allow you to stitch on fabric without having to move the project. They’re often more expensive than quilt frames.
- Wall Mounted Frame – These are similar to hoop frames except they hang on the wall instead of being attached to a table. They’re best suited for larger projects.
Basting
Basting is simply stitching along the edges of the quilt so that it stays in place.
If you don’t baste then you’ll have to keep reattaching the pieces every time you sew.
Basting can be done by hand or machine. Some machines even have built-in basting capabilities.
Hand Stitching
If you plan on doing lots of hand stitching then you should consider getting an embroidery hoop.
An embroidery hoop allows you to easily stitch through multiple layers of fabric.
It’s especially useful for applique work where you need to stitch through multiple layers of material.
Stand
A stand is a base that attaches to the frame. Most stands are adjustable so you can adjust how high up the frame sits on the stand.
Finger Rest
Some finger rests are nice because they help protect your fingers while using the frame.
Finger rest can be found in different sizes and shapes. Some are flat and others are curved. The most common ones are round.
Round Finger Rest
Round finger rests are perfect for beginners. They’re simple to use and are great for practicing.
Square Finger Rest
Square finger rests are better suited for advanced users.
They’re easier to manipulate and use. However, they take longer to set up.
Size
How big do you want your frame to be? Most frames are either full size or queen size.
Queen sized frames are usually slightly smaller than full-size frames. But there are exceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crafting can be hard and leave you with tons of questions.
Luckily we’re here to help! Here are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to hand quilting frames!
What Kind Of Frame Should I Get?
It depends on how you plan to use your frame. Do you want to work on large projects like quilts?
Or would you prefer to work on small projects like baby blankets and pillowcases?
Why Buy A Frame Over A Hoop?
With a hoop, you can stitch on fabric, but you’ll need to shift the project from time to time.
With a frame, you can stitch on the fabric while keeping the project still.
This means you won’t have to constantly reposition the project.
Is Basting Important?
Yes! Without basting, you’ll have to keep attaching the pieces every time you finish sewing.
Basting can be easily done by hand or machine.
Are All Quilting Frames The Same?
A: No! Each frame is different. Some are better at holding up to heavy projects while others are better for light projects.
Final Thoughts
We hope our list helped you find the right frame. Remember, the sturdier the frame, the better the quilt.
Keep your yarn taut and your fingers loose, and never stop quilting.
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