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Hi,

I need a little help from you lovely people. I have got a scroll frame for my big projects, but I am thinking about buying some hoops for the smaller ones. I was looking online, but there is so much to choose from. Can you please recommend a brand or style I should buy?

thank you

I've used "regular" hoops (i.e., Susan Bates), tension hoops, and wooden hoops. I recently (thanks to the forum) discovered this one and I really love it.

http://www.123stitch.com/item/Morgan-Pr ... h/MORG-123" target="_blank

I also use that hoop after trying so many different types as well as Q-snaps. I think I get the best tension with them. I have a large one and a smaller one and really like them very much

Carole

A good quality hoop makes a difference, imo. As far as a recommendation, I prefer a birch hoop with brass hardware:
http://www.hedgehoghandworks.com/catalog/TLS58075.php" target="_blank
(They have a variety of widths and diameters. I just picked that one as a sample.)

That being said, small plastic hoops can be perfectly fine and so inexpensive that you can try a couple different ones without blowing the budget.

For small projects I used this http://www.sewandso.co.uk/Products/Larg ... h-Lap.aspx" target="_blank or for the smaller projects this http://www.sewandso.co.uk/Products/6-x- ... -UCFU.aspx" target="_blank

Hi all,

thank you so much. I off to check out all your suggestions.

I do have some wooden hoops but on the whole prefer flexi-hoops, with a stiff plastic inner ring and a flexible rubbery outer ring. Great tension!

I haven't tried using the wooden hoops yet...I use a small plastic for smaller projects and larger ones for my bigger projects....It just comes to to what you prefer to use...trial and error mostly....You may find that you like the wooden ones for larger projects and the plastic for small projects...get a few of each type is what I would recommend.

I prefer Q-snaps they come in all different sizes and you can combine them to mix and match sizes.

I use Susan Bates Hoop-La brand plastic hoops. I've found that I prefer them over using a scroll frame even for larger projects because I can get better tension with them. I like them so much that I've bought them from 4 inches up to 8 inches for a bit of variety when I'm stitching, but like others have said, experimenting helps out to find out what you like best and what you don't.

I highly recommend q-snaps. You only need an 8x8" and don't forget to add a "hugger" those little fabric stretchy things that hold in the excess fabric and keep it clean. Not sure what they are called they have different names.
I just found out it's called a "grime guard" and there are other names.
Gina.