Questions about aida and stretching...

[saban641]

Hey everyone, first of all I would like to say that I love each and every one of you, the sprite stitch website was what actually got me started into the cross stitching scene. I am having a blast with it so far, the only complaint is that its very time consuming. I haven't done too many big projects with cross stitching, mainly ive done 8-bit era title logos and such. The newest of my projects is a Link to the Past Zelda title screen for a friend. Im almost halfway done with it but I had a few questions as im starting to worry about the fabric.

I'm using 18 count black aida with 3 strands of DMC thread. I use a square PVC type hoop that has 4 half tubes on each side to clamp down on the fabric thats sitting on the PVC tube and then you twist it to make the fabric taut. It has made cross stitching so much easier for me. But I am worried that the aida will become distorted from the twisting of the clamps on the square hoop. (square hoop? does that even make sense? lol)

I was wondering if anyone here has used similar "hoops" and if their fabric came out fine after the washing/ironing. Also if they've used both the square and circle hoop which they think is better? I used a circle hoop before on a previous project but I couldn't quite get the wrinkle marks out.

I promise ill start showing my finished projects after this one.

Thank you guys and gals so much for the inspiration/help!

PS. I apologize if I am posting in the wrong area/format/whatever. Please let me know if I did anything wrong! I mean no harm.

PPS. Also if you would like pictures to see what the PVC looks like, let me know!

[Stardrifter]

I actually recently started to use a q-snap frame (same as the kind you use) to stop my fabric from warping, because i found that the corners of my pieces were warping a bit from using a circular hoop, which isn't really the hoops fault as that is just a side effect of it's circularity, lol. my problem was that the corner of my stitching came too close to the edge of the fabric to have it in the frame properly while working on the corners, if that makes sense. i could have gotten around the problem by having more space around the edges of my fabric but i was working on a kit and they don't like to give you too much free space, lol.

With a square frame you shouldn't have problems with warpage unless you're pulling your stitches too tight. i haven't yet had a problem with the square frame, anyways^^

[RAWRmonster]

Where did you guys get your frames from? I'm going to be stitching on Aida for the first time after learning on plastic canvas, and I don't feel comfortable "free-handing" just yet.

[techno-ninja]

I've also got that frame and found no problem with warping, and it's much easier to adjust than hoops.

@RAWRmonster I got the snap frame from amazon, my local shop only stocked hoops

[saban641]

Awesome, thats a load off my mind. Thanks guys.

@RAWRmonster Check your local hobby shop and usually near the yarn/knitting isle there is cross stitching stuff including hoops/snap frames.

[RAWRmonster]

I checked at my local Michael's today. They didn't have any q frames but they had a scroll frame, which I have since fallen in love with. <3

[Stardrifter]

I checked at my local Michael's today. They didn't have any q frames but they had a scroll frame, which I have since fallen in love with. <3

scroll frames are also awesome but much heavier than a q-snap frame so it's easier on your wrist if you're not using a lap/floor stand

i got mine at amazon too =)

[RAWRmonster]

Hmm....hadn't considered the weight. I should probably look into a stand of some sort.