Does the hoop rotate and tilt?
A hoop must rotate at least 360 degrees to facilitate always quilting in your favorite direction and needs to tilt for easy visibility and a comfortable reach. Swivel ball joints allow multiple adjustments with infinite control. Some ball joints, however, will allow rotation in only a single direction. Other hoop stands without a ball joint have multiple screw adjustments to accomplish each directional movement. The rotation device must be on top of the tilt or it may tilt in the wrong direction once it is rotated!

Does the post have angle adjustments and adjust for height?
With an angle adjustment, the hoop will move forward to your sitting position so that you can work from your favorite easy chair or the couch instead of you sitting up to it. The base must be stable enough to support the angle. On one model the height and angle are controlled by a single movement without hardware adjustments; on others they are controlled by separate movements with hardware adjustments.

Single movement controls both height and angle

How easy are the above positional adjustments made?
The rotation and tilt need to be adjusted constantly for greater comfort as you quilt while the angle and height needs to be adjusted less often. The objective is to quilt, not adjust bolts constantly.

Does it have a light attached?
Anything attached to the perimeter of the hoop will restrict the movement of the quilt as you rotate the hoop. It is best to just use a separate lamp at your side.

Which size hoop is best?
First, you will need to answer, "Do you quilt both toward your body and away from it? If you do then you will only need to reach to the center of the hoop. Most quilters quilt in only one direction, usually toward their body. As you will be reaching both under and over the hoop at the same time, measure the distance from the inside of your elbow to the end joint of your fingertip. This is the maximum reach before you begin to round your shoulders. You may reach farther than this but with less comfort. Many are concerned about having to move their quilt often and still prefer a larger size for this reason.

Round sizes available:
12"
14"
16"
18"
26"

Square sizes available:
14"
17"
17" x 24"

Oval sizes available:
None

Which shape of hoop is best?
There are three shapes available — round, oval and square. A round hoop allows you to maintain an equidistant reach while rotating, meaning more comfort if it is sized appropriately. On an oval or square shape, the distance changes as you rotate the hoop making you stretch and sometimes requires that you change from your favorite stitch direction. It is often desired, however, when you want to quilt the entire square without moving the hoop. The square is better than an oval if your intent is to quilt the entire block without moving it because you can reach the corners. Because the inner and outer sections on a square hoop must have different set distances between the corners, the outer square must open in at least two places in order to accommodate an unlimited range of batting thicknesses.

Will the hoop hold the fabric securely?
If the depth of the hoop ring is adequate all wooden hoops will hold the fabric securely. Some plastic ones may require a ridge to grip the fabric as they generally have a slick finish. Remember, you will want your quilt surface to be flexible enough to needle well for small stitches and not be tight as a drum.

Are hoop sizes and styles interchangeable and usable on multiple types of stands?
There are times you may prefer a different size hoop; other times a different stand. For instance, a smaller hoop will give a more comfortable reach if you are constantly quilting in a circular direction. Or you may work while traveling in your auto and need a smaller stand. Everyone has different preferences and needs from time to time and it is nice to just add to an existing hoop or stand rather than purchasing everything new.

Can you work on the edges and corners of your quilt in the hoop?
On a round hoop you cannot quilt to the edge because the seam allowance is not large enough to be gripped by the hoop. However, most manufacturers make various adapters to compensate for working on the edges and corners while using the hoop. On the square hoops an adapter is not necessary, as you do not have the problem of going from thick to thin material as the thin fabric is all on one side of the square. Simply pin an extra piece of fabric to the quilt to be gripped by the hoop.

How portable is it?
One of the advantages of hoops over floor frames is their portability. You may want to work in a different location or work in your vehicle while traveling. Some are designed to be portable and some even more portable because of their size.

Floor stand folds for portability

Is the wood finished?
Unfinished wood contains acid that will damage your fabrics. Do you enjoy wood finishing or would you rather spend all of your time quilting?

Lacquer finish
or
Unfinished kits

Should I consider a Floor Frame instead of a Hoop?
Each has its advantages. With a hoop, it simply takes less space in your room which may be the number one factor. You can always quilt in your favorite stitch direction and your project is certainly more portable. You may even be able to work in your favorite easy chair — but, you must baste and have the bulk of the quilt to deal with. On the other hand, with a floor frame, you may choose a no baste frame system for better tension control and not have to deal with the bulk — but, it takes up considerably more space. See the companion article on Questions To Ask When Looking For a Quilting Frame.