Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our new Heritage Hand Quilting Frame has been carefully designed to fold flat for storage, without removing the quilt. It also features an accessory tray and a high quality work lamp.

Of course you can! The competition has to come up with a sales pitch of some kind, but that's all it is! A way to convince you to buy theirs instead of ours.

Round Hoops have been successfully used for centuries for every kind of needlework. Nearly all needlework is done on woven fabric. Round hoops give you even tension and grip firmly. Our hoops hold fabric without slipping, and used correctly, do not distort the weave in any way. It is easier to reach all areas of the hoop with a round hoop. There are no corners to get in your way. Thousands of quilters all over the world prefer round hoops over oval or square.

We suggest that if you are not able to work on your unfinished quilt for any length of time, that you take it out of the hoop, so as not to create creases in the fabric. We hope you will base your buying decisions on price, quality, and company reputation, and customer service, instead of sales gimmicks.

All our ready-made hand-quilting frames are constructed from highest quality, furniture grade select white ash hardwood. As the price increases, more features are added. All have three rollers for no baste quilting and everything you need to make prize-winning quilts. The Fold-Away Frame will fold flat, with or without the quilt mounted, for easy storage against a wall or in a closet. The Classic Frame offers the unique tilt over top feature for rear stitch inspection. It is much heavier than the others and so, less portable. It has larger ratchet wheels for finer tension adjustment, and has a wider range of height and tilt adjustment. It will tilt the quilt surface to a vertical position for storage, or just to admire your handiwork. This also keeps pets from sleeping on your quilt and stretching it. (Not to mention the hair)

We designed a frame for every quilter in every price range. Both our kits, the Easy Build Kit and the Easy Build Plus are made with the same high quality construction and no-baste features found in our other frames. With the Easy Build Kit , we supply all the hardware and the small hardwood parts. You buy the lumber to build the larger, main parts of the frame and three pieces of 1 ¼" thinwall metal conduit for the rollers. With the Easy Build Plus we supply everything except three pieces of 1 ¼" thinwall metal conduit for the rollers and one piece of 1 x 8 lumber for the trestle. No matter which of our frames you choose, we guarantee satisfaction or your money back.

Definitely!
Large Ratchet wheels allow the quilt to be rolled easily, and the tension to be tightened or loosened easily, in very small increments. Each layer is tensioned separately, allowing for even tensioning of backing and top. This is important because your top has hundreds of seams, and will stretch much easier than the backing which may have few or no seams.

Normally we can ship your frame within a couple days of ordering it. The factory is located in Wisconsin so shipping time is two days in the Midwest, three days to the east coast, four days to the far south and west, and five days to the west coast and northwest. Frames shipped to Alaska and Hawaii usually take less than two weeks. For international shipments, please call our toll-free number for details. We do have dealers in several European countries

Usually this decision is based on two factors: The most important is space. Do you have enough space to set up an 8 foot by three foot frame? If not, you may wish to consider the Homestead Hoop right away. The other factor is style of quilting. If you are used to a hand held hoop and like to stitch only in one direction, a hoop is your best choice. Our hoops rotate 360 degrees so you can tilt and turn your work any which way. The 14" Lap Hoop is a good choice for small projects, other embroidery, or travel. If your space is limited, but you still prefer a full size frame, the Heritage frame does disassemble very easily, without removing your quilt from the rollers. The Easy Build takes a bit more time, but has the capability of tilting the top (work surface) to a vertical position for storage while still set up. If you use a frame, your quilt is rolled up off the floor and once mounted on the frame is there until completion. Tension is better and basting is nearly eliminated.

There are several methods, but basically the quilt is basted or pinned to a strip of sturdy cloth which is permanently attached to the rollers. Depending on whether you have metal or wood rollers, the cloth can be tacked, stapled, glued, or taped to the rollers. It need not be heavy duty cloth and should not be stiff. Each frame includes instructions on how to make and attach the cloth aprons or you may order the cloth aprons from us.The edges of the quilt cannot be permanently attached to the frame, because it is rolled and they would have to be reattached often.

Use this link for instructions on how to attach your quilt to the Hand frame.
Attaching Your Quilt to the Hand Frame
Use this link for instructions on how to attach your quilt to the Machine frame.
Attaching your quilt to the Machine frame.
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The finished frame is exactly the same. In both kits, all the small mechanical parts, hardware and instructions for assembling the frame are included. The Easy Build Plus includes the full end frames cut drilled and shaped, ready to sand, finish, and assemble. The Easy Build "Basic" Kit does not include these pieces. Plans are included to build them from 2 x 6 lumber. On both frames, the plans are very clear. A minimum of tools are needed to build the Easy Build Kit. It is however a woodworking project, so it is necessary to have some knowledge of woodworking techniques. To complete both kits, you must buy locally the 1 x 8 board for the trestle, and 3 lengths of 1 1/4" thinwall conduit.

The Easy-Build Plus is a better choice if you do not have any woodworking tools. You only need to sand and finish the parts, and cut the poles and trestle to length, before assembling the frame. Both frames include instructions for mounting the quilt on the frame.

Wood is a wonderful building material, but in long lengths it tends to warp.Thinwall conduit is strong, straight, easy to find, inexpensive, galvanized so it doesn't rust, and is a standard size. We include wood caps for the ends of the rollers to finish them off nicely. Once a quilt is mounted on the frame, you don't see the metal anyway.

This is a myth. There is nothing in the wood to harm your fabric. The fabric barely touches the wood on a frame. The poles are covered by the fabric you attach to them before you put your quilt on the frame. In 22 years of making quilting frames, there has never been any complaints of staining of fabric on unfinished hoops or frames. We do recommend putting a finish on the frame to protect the wood from fingerprints. Mostly a finish makes the frame look nicer.

Rest Assured, all frames can be used unfinished. Generally you put a finish on your frame for cosmetic reasons, and to protect the wood from finger prints and foot prints which over time may begin to show. White Ash has a beautiful open grain, which looks very much like oak. It can be stained and finished easily using inexpensive interior finishes available at your hardware or building center.

We actually recommend not finishing the poles. Our Classic, Fold Away, and Heritage frames use kiln-dried white ash for the poles. Contrary to some opinions, there is nothing in the wood to damage your quilt. Also when you attach a cloth apron to the poles, the quilt does not even touch the wood.

Treat yourself, buy both. Ask about our "Hoop Special", One stand, two hoops and two half hoop adapters for a special price. But...If you only want one hoop, consider these suggestions. If you have the 29" hoop obviously, there is more area available to work on. However, it may be difficult to reach to the center of the 29" hoop. If you are doing circular type patterns, and wish to turn the hoop often, you may find the 22" hoop more convenient, because most quilters can reach the center easily. The 29" inch hoop will keep more of larger projects off the floor. However, if you are still uncertain, we will recommend the 22" hoop. You will not be disappointed, and it is less expensive both to purchase and ship. The farther you are from us, the higher the shipping cost. If you are in Alaska, Hawaii, or outside the US, the cost of mailing the 22" hoop is considerably less.

(Another hint: keep a sheet with your quilt to lay on the floor under it when you are working. The quilt will stay cleaner. If you have pets, you may wish to throw a sheet over the quilt when you are out of the room. What is it about cats? They love to sleep on quilts.