Using a hoop?

[Yurtle]

I've only stitched with aida or linen so I wouldn't be able to comment on the use of hoops/frames with finer fabrics. I can understand why you're so careful with those types of fabrics!

Maybe the stand I had was just crappy. I had to tighten the part that holds the frame in so much that I couldn't actually flip it over. If I didn't tighten it, it just fell and I ended up having to hold it up anyway. At that point, I didn't really understand the point! I think the cloth I had was too big for the frame too so I had to fold over the fabric a lot and then it was difficult to move it around. Maybe I'll dig it out again and try.

[Eliste]

Using the right sized frame really makes a diffence. And the bigger the project, the bigger the frame, the more cumbersome it is no matter what. Also I find that I do a lot of landscape prices, but that those are often best put sideways on the frame So you can use a smaller frame which is a bit odd at first, but if you have a versatile stand can be just as easy to use.

Was your stand something like this? http://www.sewandso.co.uk/Products/Vers ... O-VCO.aspx

The key to look for is one where'd there is a mechanism that clamps that is completely separate from how it attaches to the rest of the stand. That part should be able to move up and down on the stalk thingy. Take a look at your stand and see if it's movable. It might be stiff and if you get it moving up and down before you attach anything else it'll be better. Personally, I'd avoid any stand that has the frame already attached. I find those just don't suit my style of sewing as I tend to use a lot of different frames and hoops and usually have more than one thing on the go.

[Yurtle]

Yeah, that's pretty much how the frame attached to the stand. I found it awkward. I was hoping it would help rest my hand a bit but I wasn't able to get it close enough to me. The stand is able to bend forward or stand up straight but I don't think it can go up and down... Not that I remember anyway.

[Pyper]

I have been doing small projects so far, up to about the size of a photo. I have never used a hoop or a frame with them, and always found it to end up fine. That said I have only used aida so far, is a hoop/frame needed when working with linens or other fabrics?

[Eliste]

I have been doing small projects so far, up to about the size of a photo. I have never used a hoop or a frame with them, and always found it to end up fine. That said I have only used aida so far, is a hoop/frame needed when working with linens or other fabrics?

Needed? Not technically, but the outcome will be much better, as it may be with the Aida if you had a tight tension on the fabric to give an evenness to the project post stitching. If you deviate from cross stitch it can become more important and when not using Aida you may not have nice even holes to put your stitches in. A tight linen it may be very difficult to even see the individual threads on without a magnifier.

Basically, if the fabric is taut, the pressure you exert on any stitch is going to be consistent, or if it's not, it's obvious as you do it and you can fix that. This means that the fabric looks smoother when you take it off the hoop as opposed to having puckers around the embroidery. If you always cut or frame to the veery edge of a fully embroidered piece, you're
likely to not notice that this happens.

[kuja.girl]

For linen, evenweaves, and aida I've used the Susan Bates hoops that cost about $5 US. They have an added lip on the inner hoop that keeps the fabric from slipping once it's been stretched and they are easy to find where I am (California). I would suggest shelling out the extra dough to upgrade to one of these - wood hoops suck to use.

Large hoops can be hard to handle, the larget size I use is an 8" - there is no rule for what size hoop to use - use whatever is comfortable for you.

[Eliste]

- wood hoops suck to use.

I disagree. I find the plastic rings dont get the fabric as tight as I like. It feels like the lighter fabrics slip in them. I much prefer a wooden hoop if I have to use a hoop.

[kuja.girl]

- wood hoops suck to use.

I disagree. I find the plastic rings dont get the fabric as tight as I like. It feels like the lighter fabrics slip in them. I much prefer a wooden hoop if I have to use a hoop.

I haven't had that problem - on the other hand I've had wooden hoops crack and splinter which isn't cool. Also, Idk if you are using the same kind of plastic hoop as I recommended - this one

Spoiler

- some of the other kinds are crap
like this one -

Spoiler

[Eliste]

I haven't had that problem - on the other hand I've had wooden hoops crack and splinter which isn't cool. Also, Idk if you are using the same kind of plastic hoop as I recommended - this one

I haven't had your problems! But yeah, that is the type of hoop I've used (the first).
If the project is not going to come out of the hoop, even when finished, I will use one of those cause it tends to look well, but I'll have to stitch it into the hoop for it to feel right.

[EveningEmma]

- some of the other kinds are crap
like this one -

Spoiler

I have been using that kind of hoop exclusively now for the past couple of weeks. I didn't like it at all at first, but then I wrapped the metal part in masking tape to give it more grip on the fabric and it feels really good now. It's easier to put on my work, easier to adjust and I find that it actually loses tension less quickly than a normal wooden hoop.