Hoop or no hoop

stonington · Post by **stonington** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:07 pm

Good Afternoon-- I am starting my Dragonfly Duo

- yay! does everyone use a hoop or frame? I admit to starting it today at work (it came in the mail-I could not help myself

) and do not have a hoop at my desk-ha! My tension looks fine but I thought I would ask everyones opinion - to hoop or not to hoop, that is the question.

Thanks so much!

Annora · Post by **Annora** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:26 pm

I always use a hoop for stitching. I can hold the fabric better in the hand with a hoop and finding the holes is easier in my opinion.

Ernie2jess · Post by **Ernie2jess** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:31 pm

I like using a hoop too,...I still think it keeps the tension even.

mags · Post by **mags** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:06 pm

I don't use a hoop or a frame - cannot get on with either. I find hoops are too painful to hold and frames are awkward.

mags

ConnieO · Post by **ConnieO** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:11 pm

I'm a framer!

I don't like the way hoops mark the fabric and I'm so used to holding a frame now. I even have a mini scroll frame that is about 3 inches square!

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:45 pm

I use whatever works best for the piece: hoops, frames, scrunching up in the lap... but prefer to work with the fabric held taut somehow.

Just remember to take the fabric out of a hoop if you leave your stitching for any length of time!

mauveme · Post by **mauveme** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:49 pm

I startred out with scroll frames but now I use Q-snaps when ever I can. If I just hold it it is usually too small for a hoop or frame. My hands cramp up with out anything and I am a two handed stitcher. (Left on top right under)

lacemaker2004 · Post by **lacemaker2004** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:07 am

I go back and forth. When i'm doing big swatches of color, definitely not. When I'm doing confetti stitches then I use something. I also have found that q snaps make some of the hand-dyed linens easier to work on since the holes are 'shrunk' down. It's really a matter of your tension and what you're comfortable with.
Alyson

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:39 am

For years I would use nothing but a hoop, have about 8 in different sizes. Then I discovered q-snaps and I was hooked. The are the best thing to happen to stitching in years. For my Christmas cards I stitched in hand because most of them are perforated paper.

I have to have my work held in a tight manner.

Annora · Post by **Annora** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:44 am

I've never heart of q-snaps... How does ist work? Ist the fabric in between? Are this four single parts one for each side?

Rachael · Post by **Rachael** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:08 am

Q-snaps is a frame that doesn't mark i don't have one but here are some similar http://www.craftframes.fsnet.co.uk/

Oops forgot to say I use whatever is needed at the time but mostly hoops I have lots of different sizes!

Genevieve · Post by **Genevieve** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:15 am

Thanks for this link, Rachael. I've been thinking about q-snaps, but didn't know there was a UK alternative. I use either a hoop or roller frame or hold the fabric in my hand, depending on how easy it is to work. I've just finished a Christmas card design which I held in my hand, but for the next design I may use a spring hoop. I find this good, but have to make sure that the design is well within the ring of the hoop as it does mark the fabric, even if you only use it for a short time.

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:04 am

i have a big project on a q-snap frame (I'd forgotten I had that alternative... I only look at it every day...). It really is the best. The only criticism I have with them is that they slip out of the grip of my big opus floor stand. So I have to prop the piece up against a chair back when I'm stitching that design.

xstitchcrazy · Post by **xstitchcrazy** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:21 am

OOO never heard of q-snaps, they look great.

Have always used a hoop, have many different sizes, but do take it out of the hoop when ever i finish stitching as it does mark the fabric.

stonington · Post by **stonington** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:25 pm

I will have to check at the local craft stores for q-snaps- They look like they are "gentle" to the fabric. Thank you all!

Rock Chick · Post by **Rock Chick** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:05 pm

I use a hoop at the moment but I've never really liked using one because as the others have said it does mark the fabric. I can't stitch without anything though so I might have a look at those q snaps later and see what they're like.

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:45 pm

I have a direct link to the creater of the q-snap in the internet sites thread. I don't know if they are cheaper direct to them but that is were I bought mine.

Kitsune · Post by **Kitsune** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 5:01 pm

I find that it is easier to use a hoop, so long a the hoop is reasonably small.

However, if I'm doing something rather small, then I find it easier to not use a hoop. It's just faster, especially if it's for a card or an ordament or something...

My hoops have never left a mark on my work... What do you guys mean by mark?

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:21 pm

I have never had a mark on my stitching material either and I have left hoops on for over 6 months. When I am done stitching I wash my projects and iron them with spray starch. Never have I ever had a mark or ripple left in the project.

Genevieve · Post by **Genevieve** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:19 am

Kitsune - Not a mark as such but a deep crease where the hoop has been. It's impossible to iron out - I know, I've tried! However, unlike you Rose, I've never washed and ironed projects with spray starch, so maybe that would do the trick.