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Hi everyone,

I'm trying to be a good cross stitcher and see whether I get on with frames/hoops etc. I usually stitch everything in hand and haven't had a problem with tension before but thought I would see whether I could do it "the proper" way (at least according to all the books). I thought I would give this a go on my SQ project which is large and I would like to come out looking as perfect as possible.

I have a large hoop given to me as a present and I've tried using it on the section I'm working on. My problem is that no matter how taut it is when I tighten the hoop up, after only a short while of stitching the fabric seems to loosen in the hoop and it's slack in the middle. I don't want to pull the fabric to get it even tighter as I'm worried about distorting the fabric (it's 18ct natural aida). However the whole thing is driving me mad and I'm very tempted to go back to in hand unless anyone's got some handy tips?

Wrap the hoop in ribbon to protect the fabric and also tighten it a bit?

Or just use another bit of cloth in between the hoop and fabric and see if that helps.

It could also be the size of the hoop you are using. I have found that large hoops are difficult for me to work with. It was too hard to get into the middle of the frame and the fabric loosened more than I liked. I didn't have problems when I stitched with a smaller, say 6-8 inch frame.

i have this problem too, but i just pull the fabric every now and then. I use hoops up to 12 inch in size, i cant stitch without them.

I got some plastic rectangular ones and find they are a bit heavier so tend to use my bamboo ones the most unless I am feeling very bright and strong.

I only stitch little things for cards without hoops, i would be lost without them for bigger things.

Sometimes though, i find it hard with the big hoop (depends on how i feel) and so tend to use a smaller one and do smaller works.

in my gallery is a picture of my cat demonstrating how to use a hoop.

I myself use a 5" hoop, and I've never had issues with the fabric going slack. I'm pretty sure you are having this issue because of the size of the hoop.

What's wrong with not using a hoop? I feel I graduated from a hoop to sewing in hand. *shrug* I guess it's a matter of opinion.

Hoops are great for embroidery though. I can't do that without one.

If you're comfortable stitching in-hand then I'd stick with that! If you definitely want to get into using hoops though I'd recommend getting some bias binding and wrapping it around your hoop, both the inner and the outer bits. It'll give the hoop a better grip and will also stop any muck or oil that's been absorbed into the wood of the hoop from transferring on to your fabric. As and when the binding starts to get mucky, you can always just take it off and replace it

I used to be absolutely lost without my hoops but lately I've been more comfortable working in-hand, or on a frame for my larger projects. I've still got my hoops in a drawer for as and when I feel the need to use them, but for now I'm happy without.

I could not work my waste canvas without my q-snap or hoop but that is just me.

I don't see why you think you have to use a hoop. Just because the books say so is not a good excuse. This is a craft that most everything is personal preferance. If you are comfortable and happy with your stitching then just go with it. Don't let anyone tell you HOW you should stitch. Be true to yourself.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I'll give wrapping the hoop a go before I give up on it.

Re using the hoop, I thought I would try it because I've never tried any sort of frame at all and wondered if it would make an improvement and I could get on with it. Also, since it was a present (from my in-laws who see me stitching regularly) I did want to give it a go before coming to a firm conclusion that frames are not for me.

I used to hate when my hoop would loosen like that.. I think what I did was resort to a smaller hoop. The one I have now doesn't do that, but I also make it super tight and take it off each night. (when I remember to at least )
Faith

I have questions too.

I don't have to work with a hoop, but generally if its a larger piece and after I have been working for a while the aida is less stiff and stitching without a hoop is harder. I can also go a lot quicker with a hoop.

I have an 8-inch spring tension hoop. I think they're made by Darice. I don't see them very often on stitching sites and in magazines, I do like that its initially easier for me to get my fabric tight, but does take a bight of strong-arming to get the tension part in. but the same thing happens, after a while the fabric slips, mostly where I am holding it, I don't know if this means I am gripping the hoop too hard, or what.

I was wondering if a regular wood or plastic hoop with the little screw would work better, but sounds like those loosen up too.

How do you attach the fabric or bias to the hoop? Hot glue? I think I have seen a few marketed as "german" embroidery hoops that have some piece of something in between the fabric and hoop.

Any other tips?

If you just wrap the bias around and around and around (it's tedious) but don't attach it at all, it's easy to take off and replace as needed. As you wrap it around it kinda stabilises itself so it's not going to slip off or anything.

I have worked with spring-tension hoops as well and I found that over time the fabric would loosen up a bit, I thought it took longer though than with my wooden hoops.

When I use a hoop and the tension goes slack as awhile, I will pull the fabric to re-tighten it from the part of the hoop where there are no stitches within the hoop line. This works great if you work an area at a time and doesn't "damage" the stitching. Not quite sure what it does to the cloth though.

I find the type of hoop used makes a huge difference ... I have recently discovered spring tension hoops (http://www.cross-stitching.com/kh_page.asp?id=152" target="_blank for an example) and have found this to be super, but it is extremely important to take your work out of the hoop when you aren't stitching or you get kinky work. Before that I prefered a plastic flat hoop with a slight texture on the bits that hold the fabric and a very good quality tightener/nut. Many of the hoops I've tried have no texture to hold the fabric or a very loose tightener system and have been, to me, virtually useless.

Stitch Ezi was my favourite hoop before I discovered the metal spring ones.

I have used frames (as I use these for tapestry) and these are ok for big work but really too much hassle for smaller works.

MaggieM1750 wrote:It could also be the size of the hoop you are using. I have found that large hoops are difficult for me to work with. It was too hard to get into the middle of the frame and the fabric loosened more than I liked. I didn't have problems when I stitched with a smaller, say 6-8 inch frame.

That's what I was going to suggest. I too have a hard time with the larger hoops. I love my 8 inch hoop so much a bought a couple of them just to make sure I had one handy no matter how many projects I have all over the house. You could also try Qsnap frames too. They get really tight and are easy to adjust the tension on.

I have found that the smaller hoops are best for keeping tension. If the stitching area is rather large, I stitch inside my hoop then move it and continue on that way. My current WIP has a boarder that is too close to the edge and my smallest hoop is too small to make any progress so I have done both hoop and in hand for this one. I am looking to start putting my project on a scroll or q-snap...

I started out using hoops, but found that the fabric slipped a lot and the invisible dirt on my hands became visible on the fabric where I held the hoop. I switched to scroll frames, and while the grubbiness issue resolved itself, I still feel that the tension isn't what I would like it to be. I finally tried Q-snaps, and my 8x8 is fantastic!! The tension is consistent and easy to adjust if need be, plus it is light weight and more comfortable to hold than either the scroll frame or the hoop. I would recommend getting a cover for the Q-snap to help keep your fabric clean.

I have tried hoops, scrolls and an off brand Q-snap. I prefer the standard screw tighten type hoop and have also realized that the smaller hoops hold more tension. The q-snap type frame was okay. Just really bulky and wasn't comfortable and within days of use the little snap over thingys were stretched too much to hold any tension. I again say that is was a store brand frame not a brand name q-snap so it may make a difference.

Trylla: I have the same problem with transferring skin oil and dirt while holding my stitching. (Probably worse, since I'm a nasty man Agi TIC) I use inexpensive flour sack towels found at Wal-Mart. I just use the sack towel to hold the Q while I'm working on it. It's thin enough not to interfere with your grip. Additionally, they are large enough to fold over the piece when not in use to keep dust and such off it. I'm sure you could find similar at the Canadian version of the MegaloMart.

Maemae: I have a couple of cures for your loose fakie-snaps. I you have dishwasher, put the clamps in the top rack when you do a load of dishes. Near the end of the drying cycle, make a bowl of ice water. Using a dish towel, take clamp out and, while still hot, evenly squeeze the clamp tight and plunge into the ice water. The heat softens the plastic enough to be malleable and the ice water sets it.

You can do the same thing without a dishwasher. You can use a teakettle and hold the plastic clamp in the steam. I have a large pair of locking tweezers to hold them in the steam. Again wrap in a towel, squeeze them tight and plunge into ice water. Just be careful not to burn yourself.

If you aren’t comfortable using direct steam, just drop them in a pot of water heated to near boiling. Just don’t let them sit on the bottom too long.

If worse comes to worst, you can use strips of thin non-slip shelf liner between the Q and the fabric. It works, but doesn’t allow for very much adjustment.

mig-3 wrote:strips of thin non-slip shelf liner

Sounds interesting, what's that?