Things to Do With Quilting Hoops

Why did I spend time coming up with things to do with quilting hoops?

First, let us start with a little background information (from a prior blog) so you understand the need for me to come up with suggestions and photos for the alternative uses below:

Hoop. There It Is!

Ok, I admit that's a really corny play on words. Every day I see it sitting in the living room, right next to the sofa, lonely and bare. I thought I would use it a lot! I had good intentions when I got out the old credit card and ordered. Really! Ok, you are now wondering what the heck I'm rambling on about. Well, here's the answer. My quilting hoop.

Yep, if I lean waaaay over in my chair, I can see into the living room from my office and sure nuff, there it is! Prior to buying this hoop, I was painstakingly adding my personal touch, via hand stitching, while bending over a quilt when it was stretched out on an old cardboard cutting board laid across the bed. Not "sew" healthy for my back nor "sew" smart! That's when I decided real quilters (smart quilters) used hoops!

So I browsed the web for several days looking at all the various quilting hoops for sale and trying to decide if square truly was better than round, as per one company's ads. Well, whether it is or isn't, is probably only a matter of personal opinion and not scientific fact. However, the propaganda was good enough that I wound up with a square hoop on a really nice floor stand.

Anyway, I had visions of me doing the needlework thing while spiritually bonding with unknown quilting sisters both past and present. I could almost see a glow around me as I stitched, happy and content.

Yeah right. I used it one time and kept inflicting wounds in my fingers with the needle and had to keep yelling at the dogs to git, git, git. If they see any part of a blanket hanging on the floor, they consider it fair game for nap time! Not the picture I had envisioned.

However, like any tool, you have to keep using it to get comfortable with the feel. Besides I paid way too much to not use it more. Oh. I just thought of something. If I made a tray, I could turn it into a little butler's table! Hoop. There it is!

Ok, now you know "why". GUILT!

My husband sees it sitting there, rarely used, and never says a word about me having bought it. GUILT, GUILT, GUILT!

Which leads us to:

Alternative Uses for Quilting Hoops
"Getting More for Your Money"

Use it as a planter on your patio! Just make sure the pot for your plant of choice is not too heavy or you'll have a mess to clean up. Yes, rain is not good for your stand; but I figure you aren't really using it anyway so who cares.
Use it as a side table. Put a tray on it and presto! You now have a place to put your cold drinks, sunscreen, magazines, sunglasses, and if you are from the Gulf states, your mosquito repellant.
Use it to dry clothes on. Save electricity and go green! This handy little quilting hoop can dry socks, bras, undies, your favorite sweaters and much more. Show your husband the money spent on it was not wasted after all.
Turn it into a hibachi for those times when you only need a little fire. OR, use it in place of a tiki lamp. Just be sure to keep your lighter fluid off of the wood and your water hose handy.
And for all of you golf enthusiasts out there, use it to practice your chip shots! Here's a use your husband will understand. Even if he's not a golfer, he should appreciate the sporting concept.