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I haven't been stitching long, about a year and a half, and have been holding my fabric in my hand loose while I stitch. I would like to find a system that works for me... So, I have tried hoops and no matter what I do they still leave marks in my fabric (I don't know if I am doing something incorrectly or what), I would like to get a lap stand but I worry that a lap stand and my plus size form will not work together so maybe a floor stand, I would like to try the scroll frames but they might as well be speaking a different language. I completely don't get the Q Snaps... I am wondering if you folks would be so kind as to tell me what you are using and help give me some direction. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Hello ladymoonlit and welcome to the forum. I am one who uses hoops or a q snap, depending on the project. I have never had the problem you are asking about with either my hoops or Mostly wooden hoops which aren't as tight as the plastic ones but maybe that is why they don't leave a mark or ridge and I have to admit that I am very bad about taking the hoop off the project until I am done (sometimes for months). Now that I have quite a few WIPs (Works in Progress) I probably change the Q snaps more often. A lot of stitchers will place a thin cloth or paper towel between the fabric and the Q snap to prevent damage to the fabric and the stitches already done. Most find, I think, that washing the piece and ironing it after it is finished helps. I'm sure you will get a lot of ideas from our members. What types of projects have you been stitching?

Carole

But I use qsnaps for large pieces that won't fit on my scrool frames that I have. Largest scroll frame I have is 18 inches, and the fabric I am using inow is 20 in sq so It's on a Qsnap.

I use Q Snaps most of the time. Have been using them about 10 years. Or I'll pop projects into spring hoops for things I want to take on/ off a hoop quickly. I can also get close to an edge and still keep tension with a spring hoop, not so much with a Snap
But I will say.. don't be too put off of hoops just because they leave marks. They will squish stitches a bit.. but floss is cotton. It will bounce back once it's been off the hoop for a few days. Or once it's been steamed/ ironed.

Welcome to the forum. And to stitching.. you've stumbled on a fantastic new hobby.

I have used a hoop when stitching for almost 70 years and don't have any problems. When I started using the plastic spring hoops I noticed they were leaving marks so I bound the hoop with bias binding and haven't had a problem since. I'm another who 'forgets' to remove the hoop when I finish stitching for the day.

I usually work on big projects, and scroll frames are often the best for me, but I also use Qsnaps a lot, and hoops, too (you should see the drawer dedicated to ways of holding fabric for stitching...!). All depends on what I'm stitching. Helpful, eh?

I HATE hoops, they do leave creases on your fabric. I use scroll frames. However, qsnaps have more fabric tension, if you prefer that.

I have always stitched in hand. None of my projects were larger than 5x7. I recently finished a design that was a little larger than 7x9. I stitched it using a plastic hoop. I started out with a 7" hoop, but switched down to a 5" size. I have Q snaps that I used for quilting, but haven't used them for stitching. During my hoop experience, I tried to do in hand again, but my hands just aren't working as well as they used to. My dexterity is just not too good any more. I had better needle control and better tension of stitches with the hoop.

I just finished 3 small pieces for cards, and stitched those in hand as the aida was quite stiff.

I must be doing something wrong with my Qsnaps as I can't get a decent tension all over the fabric.

I use scroll frames preferentially. For smaller projects I use siesta frames (?) which are these interlocking wood pieces that you can mix and match to size. You pin the fabric onto them (using masking tape to protect and strengthen the edges) and you can get it really really tight!

My main requirement with things to hold my fabric is that they can be held by my lowery!!

Niki xxx

I used to stitch 'in-hand...but then I was given a Sit-on Hoop...like this

http://www.sewandso.co.uk/Products/8-Se ... SEAT8.aspx" target="_blank

I think it's brilliant (for me anyway! ) So, I get Hoop marks! I just dampen and iron them out after!

I've tried a floor frame and gave up. A hoop by itself hurts my hand. This way I stitch 2 handed and For Me it's Great

I suggest you try out some frames etc at a good quality LNS before you spend out £'s/$'s/€'s

Good Hunting!

If you're like many of us, you'll end up trying all of them before you find what works for you. I use scroll rods unless I'm doing something really big like an afghan or a tablecloth, then I do it in hand. My projects tend to be big, so I'm using 30" or 36" rods. I have hoops and Q-Snaps; I just don't prefer them. I could probably get used to Q-Snaps if I had a floor stand for them, but I *really* like the stand I'm using with my scroll rods and I have no incentive to invest in more equipment when what I'm doing works so well for me.

As an aside note, I tried responding to the poll, but it kept returning the message that the submission was invalid.

WOW you folks got back with me quick! Thank you! I was prepared to wait a while for a response instead I sleep a few hours get up and have many responses.

I have made a couple of Witch hats and such for halloween and I am currently working on a bookmark for my grandmother who reads as much as I do and a daisy design I was given that says "live simply". I have a couple af large pieces I want to do for myself.

It seems as everyone uses a little of everything. some seem to prefer each item. Hmmm now which to start with....

As far as the poll goes.... I am sorry, I have no idea what I did wrong.

I follow "Stitchin Mae" on youtube and she has a millennium scroll frame that looked like it may be a good place to start... At least for larger pieces

One of the great things about our forum is that we cover so many time zones that you don't usually go too long without someone replying to a question, concern or problem. As far as I know the poll has not worked properly for a long time (if ever?). I doubt you did anything wrong in trying to set it up. A member who has been here longer than I have would have to answer that. We have several stitchers using millennium frames and I don't think I have ever heard anything but praise for it. I think like many other things in cross stitch, choosing what works for you is a matter of trying out different options. I hope you find what works best and that you let us know what you choose.

Carole

The poll did work in the past, and I've just been in to see if I could edit it, but perhaps the last update created a problem -- it looks easy enough! Hey, ho.

I usually only use hoops when I can fit my entire design inside the hoop (I'm afraid the hoop marks won't come out, although they always do...I think my logic is flawed). I do the same with Qsnaps (which I had never heard of until I joined this forum). For small designs, I don't use a hoop at all, just hold the fabric.

For my larger projects, I use either scroll frames or stretcher bars. I love stretcher bars because I can see the entire project at once, but if it's too big, my arms get tired trying to reach the top or sides. For those, I use the scroll frame.

Small projects I hold while stitching, and the larger ones go in my floor frame. I also have a lap frame, but I haven't used it for a very long time. My new floor frame/stand is one I read about here. It came from the UK and I absolutely love it.

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

I always stitched in hand until I joined this forum. I learned so very much here! I found qsnaps to be easier than hoops and the tension more even which gave my stitches a more even look, too. Once I used them, I never went back to inhand...

As my projects got bigger, they got heavier, so I invested in a floorstand and haven't looked back. The stand came with scroll rods so I learned to use them. I use them for even larger pieces (up to 30in width). This stand has an adapter for the qsnaps so I can use both and I'm quite happy.

Stitching is a wonderful hobby and you've found a wonderful forum. Looking forward to pics of your projects!

blessings,

for small projects I use hoops, I prefer it if it fits all in the hoop. for medium sized projects I like either q snaps or scroll frames, my larger projects are all on scroll frames. very large projects (like afgans) I use a hoop and just let the rest of the fabric lay wherever it lays.

pros and cons of each:
hoops, easy to get tension, easy to move to another section of your fabric, leaves hoop rings ( which are removable with washing and ironing) not square so tension can sometimes be distorted at the edges
q snaps: square 4 way tension with rounded corners so no fabric damage. clamps dont damage stitches, a simple paper towel protects bead or raised stitches. can take some time getting your fabric on it straight, needs frequent tension adjustments if you like your fabric drum tight.
scroll frames. many sizes means its hard to find a project that doesnt fit a scroll frame, all excess fabric is scrolled onto the rods, and not in your way, if you lace it, tension is fantastic. cons: you are limited in the width of your fabric by the width of your longest scroll frame, side tension requires lacing, a time consuming thing.

I have actually thrown a project away thinking it was ruined because of hoop marks... I unfortunatly did not realize that they came out, grrr. Thanks folks!!

pattiebelle wrote:Hi, and welcome to the forum!

I always stitched in hand until I joined this forum. I learned so very much here! I found qsnaps to be easier than hoops and the tension more even which gave my stitches a more even look, too. Once I used them, I never went back to inhand...

As my projects got bigger, they got heavier, so I invested in a floorstand and haven't looked back. The stand came with scroll rods so I learned to use them. I use them for even larger pieces (up to 30in width). This stand has an adapter for the qsnaps so I can use both and I'm quite happy.

Stitching is a wonderful hobby and you've found a wonderful forum. Looking forward to pics of your projects!

blessings,

Pattiebelle, which floor stand do you use?

Just as an aside note, if you decide to try Q-Snaps, get the genuine article. Don't mess with cheap knock-off brands. It's been my experience that the cheap knock-offs just aren't as good.