Wooden Hoop Suggestions

[cindywindy]

Hi,

I love my Qsnaps, but I need to use hoops for my smaller projects. My Susan Bates plastic hoops just aren't giving me the tension I want. I like for my fabric to be drum tight.

What type/brand of wooden hoops do you recommend?

Thanks,

Cindy

[Reta]

If you like your Qsnaps why not just use a smaller one

[cindywindy]

If you like your Qsnaps why not just use a smaller one

I find that the pipes are too bulky for small projects and gets in the way when I need to finish off the thread. It limits the movement of my needle, and the smallest Qsnaps are too big for the fabric. I like to use 3-4" hoops for smaller projects, but my plastic ones are giving me trouble.

[MaggieM1750]

I switch between a 4" spring hoop and my Q Snaps.

I like how quickly I can pop things on/ off my spring hoop.
And it works well with small projects.

Spring hoop = Tension hoop.. all depends on the description they use on site you are looking at
Its a solid plastic outer hoop. The inside metal hoop is split- but it pushes against the outer solid hoop

[cindywindy]

I totally forgot about spring hoops. Thanks for the suggestion, Maggie! Do they hold your fabric taut?

[Athalie]

Wooden or plastic hoops I wrap with bias binding, it prevents slipping and makes the tension tighter.

[gparr]

Here's what Mary Corbet has to say about hoops:

http://www.needlenthread.com/2009/07/em ... -hoop.html" target="_blank

http://www.needlenthread.com/2014/06/on ... idery.html" target="_blank

Gary

[Allyn]

I find that the pipes are too bulky for small projects and gets in the way when I need to finish off the thread. It limits the movement of my needle, ....

Just a note....If you stitch 'in the well', the back of the project is flat and the pipes won't be in your way when you anchor your tails.

[Reta]

[/quote]

Just a note....If you stitch 'in the well', the back of the project is flat and the pipes won't be in your way when you anchor your tails.[/quote]

I always stitch like that ,Then any marks are on the back

[curly sue]

I use the plastic hoops with the lip on them.

[Mystonique]

I'm a drum tight tension girl and I use hardanger spring hoops for tiny projects. Use scroll frames for everything else (am in love with my Millenium frame).

[cindywindy]

Thanks, everyone! You're all very helpful!

[NeedleAndFork]

If you're working on a small piece of fabric and want to use the qsnaps because you prefer them you could just sew some scrap fabric to the edges and catch those in the Qsnap too - I do that quite often - I just overlap the edge of the scrap cotton (any fabric will work as long as it's not stretchy), I usually use cotton, with the edge of the stitching fabric and run a small zigzag down it - it holds well, and when I'm done I just cut the seam part off and reuse the scrap fabric.

Somewhere I have a picture of this so I could post about it on my blog when I get a chance. I'll see if I can find it later and post here too.

[MaggieM1750]

I totally forgot about spring hoops. Thanks for the suggestion, Maggie! Do they hold your fabric taut?

I think it holds tension well. I wouldn't say drum tight- but it works for me.
And, its easy to adjust when your fabric loosens.
I don't even really think about how often I adjust my fabric.
Nice alternative to my Snaps
I agree with Snaps being too bulky when you are towards the edge of your fabric
I started with one spring hoop, loved it so much, I bought another.

The only trouble I have is sometimes the handle part gets in the way. But I'll just spin it to a better spot.
Its no different than the tightener spot on a regular hoop frame. Minor inconvenience.

Happy shopping