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hoop or frame??

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 2:43 pm
by spudger
I have just joined the forum and I wanted to start cross-stitching again. I have used and still have a hoop, but I notice that lots of you here use the square/rectangle frame and have read about sit on hoops.
My query is which is better, is there a preference one over the other and for what reason? I have seen a sit on hoop from sewandsew and not too expensive. However, I would like to get the best one for me.
I work away during the summer and stay in a caravan and awning so have a limited amount of space. I am in the UK, not that it makes any difference.. ha ha

Re: hoop or frame??

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 4:03 pm
by wendywombat
I have a sit on hoop....see my reply to 'motherof4'
http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtop ... =4&t=29807" target="_blank

I also have a Millenium Frame from Needleneeds. When we had our caravan and then a Motor van I found the sit on hoop brilliant! Packs away in limited space provided by caravans!! I used to sit and sew in the awning and I now take it with me when out in the car and at my craft morning. It's still my preferred hoop because of it's portability.

I think the frame is great, too and really it's a matter of personal choice. As you are in the UK then if you can get to one of the shows maybe you can try out the feel of a frame before you buy.

Re: hoop or frame??

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 4:44 pm
by Nicola Main
I have a couple of the Elbesee easy clip tapestry frames and whilst they are much heavier than the round wooden hoops I find they hold tension better on my aida fabric especially on bigger projects. If I'm doing a smaller design I always tend to use the hoops though :wink:

Re: hoop or frame??

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 9:32 pm
by fccs
I can't be of any help because I use hoops and qsnaps and scroll frames and stretcher bars, plus I stitch in hand. It all depends on the project and my mood, I guess.

Re: hoop or frame??

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:21 pm
by kingfisher68
I use hoops & frames & I have a Siesta StitchMaster seat stand which I can place either on. A wooden piece slips under your legs & it quite comfy. It is adjustable & it is easy to put together so ideal if you go in a caravan/camper van etc. It comes with all needed including , wings nuts, & there is an extra wooden item for you to use to tighten wing nuts. I have not used mine as I find it OK just tightening with my hands.

http://www.siestafames.com" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Item No. SMSS D50215

Price £24.98


PS If you are left handed like my friend, she assembled hers as shown in diagram but then took it apart & assembled it to go the other way as she is left handed & finds it a great asset.

Re: hoop or frame??

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 2:18 pm
by spudger
[quote="kingfisher68"]I use hoops & frames & I have a Siesta StitchMaster seat stand which I can place either on. A wooden piece slips under your legs & it quite comfy. It is adjustable & it is easy to put together so ideal if you go in a caravan/camper van etc. It comes with all needed including , wings nuts, & there is an extra wooden item for you to use to tighten wing nuts. I have not used mine as I find it OK just tightening with my hands.

http://www.siestafames.com" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Item No. SMSS D50215

Price £24.98


Thank you for the information and I have looked at these frames. Can you change the rectangle frame to a round frame if you wish or are you limited to the frame supplied?

Regards
Spudger

Re: hoop or frame??

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 2:25 pm
by spudger
wendywombat wrote:I have a sit on hoop....see my reply to 'motherof4'
http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtop ... =4&t=29807" target="_blank" target="_blank

I also have a Millenium Frame from Needleneeds. When we had our caravan and then a Motor van I found the sit on hoop brilliant! Packs away in limited space provided by caravans!! I used to sit and sew in the awning and I now take it with me when out in the car and at my craft morning. It's still my preferred hoop because of it's portability.

I think the frame is great, too and really it's a matter of personal choice. As you are in the UK then if you can get to one of the shows maybe you can try out the feel of a frame before you buy.
Thank you for your reply, Yes, I am in the UK however, we leave home to work in deepest darkest Wales next week and the chance of getting to the shops let alone a show is pretty remote until October. We manage a caravan site and it is full time until October you see. We get some time off but it is not enough to travel too far.

I am trying to get most of the supplies on the internet before leaving home and smuggle it into the suitcases spread evenly of course so that Hubby doesn't realise ... he he ... :oops:

Thank you though, I think I may go for the seated frame but it is like the choices at a cafe, you know... what sandwich do you want, cheese, ham etc, white or brown bread, salad or none, butter or none, mayonnaise or salad cream ... arghhhh... :roll:

Spudger

Re: hoop or frame??

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:04 pm
by kingfisher68
The frames you would put your fabric on rests on the 2 arms of this frames & the small peg at the bottom of each arm keeps the frame in place. The two arms can be used closer together for a small frame/hoop & then extended to their outer limited for larger frame. I have my frame arms at extreme ends of the adjustable middle bit & also am able to move them sideways at an angle so they look like outstretched human arms & it holds my 24 in scroll frame for the Pleasant Row Cottages stitching.

I have Mai Geisha on there at the moment & that is 12 inch scroll frame so I just loosen wing nuts, move the 2 arms closer together on the slide bar & they just need to go straight down (not turned slightly to the side) & tighten wing nuts again. Have used this for round frames to rest on & it is OK. Occasionally I do hold round frame in my hand if there is something fiddly but I would not be without this seat stand now. And, it is a good price if you are on a small budget as I am.

It is easy when DH & I go away as just undo it, put it in original box packaging & it takes up hardly any room to stow away. It can be set up again in a few minutes. Simples once you know how to do it. Hope this helps :)


Edit: There is something on YouTube I seem to remember about these Siesta seat stands & as I got mine several years ago I cannot remember the exact video clip reference.

Re: hoop or frame??

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 10:11 am
by Piggy Browne
After years of using hoops and frames I recently bought an upholstered frame from Sue Hawkins at the Knitting and Stitching Show in London a couple of years ago and I love it :whoop: Based on a medieval frame, it's kind to the hands and gentle on the thumbs! You can use it for any size of stitching, if your stitching is smaller than the frame you can attach a calico framework around it and hold it in place with that. They come in all sorts of lovely fabric and you can also buy a sandbag in matching fabric which you can use to weight it down on a table/workbench, leaving both hands free to stitch with. I've posted a link to her site below if anyone's interested in taking a look :)

http://suehawkins.com/wp-content/upload ... 00x225.jpg" target="_blank