Frames? Hoops? Neither?
Moderators: rcperryls, Rose, karen4bells, Serinde, Alex
- Mabel Figworthy
- Posts: 33037
- Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:05 pm
- Location: Dunchurch, UK
- Contact:
Frames? Hoops? Neither?
Just wondering what others use to keep their fabric taut while stitching.
I started out using those hoops you tighten with a screw on the top (the hoops were plastic -- I never really liked the feel of the wooden ones). Then recently I discovered flexihoops and I love them! As I do mostly little stuff they are great to use.
However, the square flexihoop I got on the strength of liking the round and oval ones doesn't really work very well, very uneven tension. So I've been thinking of getting the smallest version (6", I think) of the square frame made of plastic tubes over which you fasten your fabric using tube-like clips (there must be a shorter name for these...)
Anyway, does anyone know the one I mean, and have you used them, and if so what did you think of them?
The roller frames look nice to use but tend to be too big for what I do. Also the sewing on of the fabric looks extremely fiddly, but perhaps those who use these frames have found differently?
Oh -- for very small work I just hold it . Like some things I made to put into keyrings -- one was a tiny kingfisher only 9x14 stitches but I think it's got character nonetheless.
I did a dolphin in half cross stitch on 36ct linen as well, but because of the stitch type I did use a (very small) hoop for that. (I'll post a pic of the keyrings in my gallery.)
I started out using those hoops you tighten with a screw on the top (the hoops were plastic -- I never really liked the feel of the wooden ones). Then recently I discovered flexihoops and I love them! As I do mostly little stuff they are great to use.
However, the square flexihoop I got on the strength of liking the round and oval ones doesn't really work very well, very uneven tension. So I've been thinking of getting the smallest version (6", I think) of the square frame made of plastic tubes over which you fasten your fabric using tube-like clips (there must be a shorter name for these...)
Anyway, does anyone know the one I mean, and have you used them, and if so what did you think of them?
The roller frames look nice to use but tend to be too big for what I do. Also the sewing on of the fabric looks extremely fiddly, but perhaps those who use these frames have found differently?
Oh -- for very small work I just hold it . Like some things I made to put into keyrings -- one was a tiny kingfisher only 9x14 stitches but I think it's got character nonetheless.
I did a dolphin in half cross stitch on 36ct linen as well, but because of the stitch type I did use a (very small) hoop for that. (I'll post a pic of the keyrings in my gallery.)
-
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:12 pm
- Location: wales
- Contact:
I don't use any of them, or haven't so far. I only had problem with holding in hand when I was stitching the pillow with the folk pattern - the material was too much, and the lose end was in the way sometimes.
So I am planning to buy a hoop for such bigger projects, but not sure how I will like it.
So I am planning to buy a hoop for such bigger projects, but not sure how I will like it.
Agi
"The world, as a colourful knot of threads, has turned into a memory, and now you cannot be sure whether it was real." (Géza Ottlik, Hungarian writer)
My blog
"The world, as a colourful knot of threads, has turned into a memory, and now you cannot be sure whether it was real." (Géza Ottlik, Hungarian writer)
My blog
- ~threadbear~
- Posts: 16596
- Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:25 am
- Location: Cumbria U.K
I have two wooden hoops and I have used them. I'm finding now though that I seem to prefer no hoops when possible as I get really irritated at the creases.
I dont think it makes any difference with my stitches to have no hoops.
I dont think it makes any difference with my stitches to have no hoops.
There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with CHOCOLATE!
Forget love! I'd rather fall in CHOCOLATE!
Current
With Faith
Dogs
Snow Leopard (Haed)
Big Cats
Blog
Forget love! I'd rather fall in CHOCOLATE!
Current
With Faith
Dogs
Snow Leopard (Haed)
Big Cats
Blog
- kimkat_tkl
- Posts: 1285
- Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:18 am
- Location: Brisbane Australia
- lacemaker2004
- Posts: 1873
- Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2007 1:41 pm
- Location: New Jersey, usa
I have stitched in hand and I don't like it all that much I like my material to be tight I find it easiest to stitch that way.
I started out with the wooden hoops as that was all that was available when I first started. I then went to the plastic frames as they hold better, I tried a frame but found it not to my liking at all as the side are not held as stiff as I like them to be. Then it happened and I found the q-snap frames and I have fallen in love. They are great easy to set-up, easy to move, all the different sizes and they hold like a dream. I can't believe how quick and easy they have made my stitching. The one draw back is so far I have not found a way to hold them on a stand that makes it comfortable. When I need to use the 17 in size it gets heavy after a few hours and it would be nice to have it in a stand. I am still experimentsing with different set-ups though so I will figure it out one day.
I started out with the wooden hoops as that was all that was available when I first started. I then went to the plastic frames as they hold better, I tried a frame but found it not to my liking at all as the side are not held as stiff as I like them to be. Then it happened and I found the q-snap frames and I have fallen in love. They are great easy to set-up, easy to move, all the different sizes and they hold like a dream. I can't believe how quick and easy they have made my stitching. The one draw back is so far I have not found a way to hold them on a stand that makes it comfortable. When I need to use the 17 in size it gets heavy after a few hours and it would be nice to have it in a stand. I am still experimentsing with different set-ups though so I will figure it out one day.
If you are looking for some one to help change you, look in the mirror
- coffee_freak
- Posts: 10312
- Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 2:14 pm
- Location: maryland,usa
- Contact:
Q snap! i love my q snap..i have one of every size..except the big floor one..lol.
umm i sometimes use my hand for an ornie or bookmark..
umm i sometimes use my hand for an ornie or bookmark..
If you get a comment of a ,I must be holding my
http://coffeecupcakescrossstitch.blogspot.com/
skype:coffeecupcakescrossstitch
WIP:
Joan Elliot Spring Fairy
Cupcakes
Snuggle Up
2012 HD's
Bohemia
Fairy Friend
http://coffeecupcakescrossstitch.blogspot.com/
skype:coffeecupcakescrossstitch
WIP:
Joan Elliot Spring Fairy
Cupcakes
Snuggle Up
2012 HD's
Bohemia
Fairy Friend
- wendywombat
- Posts: 13544
- Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2006 12:03 pm
- Location: Scottish Borders
- wendywombat
- Posts: 13544
- Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2006 12:03 pm
- Location: Scottish Borders
I really makes a difference for me. And when you are needleweaving, it's just as easy to move the whole hoop around in your hand so that you can attack various fillings from the correct angles. I have even been known to loosen the tension on the fabric to make it slightly easier, but don't tell Janice!
- lacemaker2004
- Posts: 1873
- Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2007 1:41 pm
- Location: New Jersey, usa
- Mabel Figworthy
- Posts: 33037
- Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:05 pm
- Location: Dunchurch, UK
- Contact:
frame for Afghan
One of the problems with hoops, I suppose, is that they mark the fabric so, flexihoops perhaps more than most, but as my projects are mostly of a size that doesn't necessitate moving it around in the hoop that has never really bothered me.
However, I am hoping to start on an alphabet afghan some time this year, and I am worried using my usual flexihoops would mark the fabric too much. Would one of those snap frames be better, of a size to take one alphabet square at a time? How much do snap frames mark the fabric, if at all? I've heard they are quite good at leaving no marks.
However, I am hoping to start on an alphabet afghan some time this year, and I am worried using my usual flexihoops would mark the fabric too much. Would one of those snap frames be better, of a size to take one alphabet square at a time? How much do snap frames mark the fabric, if at all? I've heard they are quite good at leaving no marks.