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My next project has a window frame in it and with so many straight edges, I just wonder how you keep your tension good and not lose the lovely straight edges. The bird I am working on at the moment is set in a square and already I seem to be pulling the Aida this way and that way to achieve a straight line, maybe a frame is better at keeping lines than using a hoop, over to you??

I find that using qsnaps is a huge help in keeping the fabric straighter--also using a higher quality of fabric helps

Along with karen's suggestions, I also find that washing and carefully ironing after finishing helps.

And you can always straighten the lines up a bit if you frame the piece with your lacing. I've just done this with 2 of my pieces. ease them as straight as you can when you pin the fabric in place, then you can fiddle it straighter as you lace

I use a hoop and have never had a problem keeping edges straight. I always stitch on evenweave or linen so don't know about tension on aida. So long as you are consistant with your tension it shouldn't be a problem.

If I have things that require particularly straight edges I use a frame or a hoop and a trolley needle (a laying tool that attaches to my thumb/finger).

I am going to invest in a q snap and see if that helps, I really dont know where I am going wrong maybe my hoop is to tight or to loose, I will try a different hoop tonight to see if that helps.

Arianwen I think the lacing will help on this project, I'm just glad its a small one

I agree with the suggestions. A qsnap or scroll frame should rule out any wavey lines. Even if you still use the hoop, the finished project will still be straight. Ironing it under a damp towel always sorts out any wobblies for me.

I use a hoop with sizes 8x10's and bigger, and hand stitch 5x7's or smaller. As I have stated before in other posts, I wear a garden glove on my HOLDING hand, left hand, and hold the roll of fabric. It had taken me trial by error in the 1st couple of years to keep my tension right, but I have mastered that part now.
If you are referring to backstitching, or as it is called in embroidery, chain stitch, I do EVERY OTHER stitch at my STARTING point in the area I want to do and the go BACK to my STARTING point. EXAMPLE: STARTING point (-)skip - skip -. When I am going BACK to my START point, I put my needle to the INSIDE right side of the STARTING point stitches. EXAMPLE: STARTING point stitch(-) BACK to STARTING point stitch (-.) to the skip stitch. The . is the RIGHT side of the STARTING point stitch going to the skipped stitch.

Backstitching STARTING stitches EXAMPLE: - - - - - - -
Backstitching coming BACK stitches EXAMPLE -----------

I hope this helps you out. It took me awhile to keep my backstitching stitches straight and tension right, but with CONTINUOUS practice, I did on plastic canvas and OLD pillow cases that I marked lines on, it will come easy for you. DON'T EVER give up, as backstitching is what makes the project POP.


HAPPY STITCHING IN STITCHING LAND