OT: query about Hand Embroidery

As the subject notes: I have been bitten by the Embroidery bug. I acquired a book called "Royal School of Needlework", from the British School of the same name. It is beautiful and fascinating and it has my attention right now. I thought that there were probably a few souls here who do or have done hand embroidery and could give me some ideas. First off. The part about a Hoop or Frame. I have both, that I used to use for Needlepoint canvas work, and I preferred the Frame for that purpose. But I know that some people prefer the hoops. I am thinking that the hoop might be a bit more helpful as one uses multiple directions for stitching the various textures on the background fabric, when doing embroidery, rather than the tent stitch and single direction that most counted tapestry needlepoint. uses. Or at least that I used on the frame for the many pieces I did a number of years ago. Any ideas as to your reasons for whatever preference? As an aside, I found a wonderful store for supplies for this type of thing. It is:

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and they have a truly staggeringamount of stuff to spend your money on. I am even building myself anew Shaker Tansu chest that will sit alongside my TV chair that willhold all those items of pleasure that go into making a finished pieceof needlework. Thimbles, thread, scissors, other things I am probablyunaware of but will soon think of as absolutely necessary, andeverything else I can possible buy. So if you have any thoughts on thegreat debate; Hoop or Frame, give me some input. And, any other linksto embroidery vending websites who would like to exchange items ofinterest for my money. Sigh! Just when I thought I had this wholequilting thing under control, I find that one can't seem to be trulysatisfied without a large Thimble Collection, wall mounted case, andother absolutely necessary items of self indulgence. John

Reply to
John
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For embroidery I always like a hoop. Herrschners is a good source for needlework supplies of all types. Go to their website! Needles, floss, more -oh!-I-can't-do-a-project- without-THAT! ideas ;))

Simple good quality muslin is great for handwork.

G> As the subject notes: I have been bitten by the Embroidery bug. I

Reply to
Ginger in CA

John, I'm with Ginger on this. Use a Hoop, but not just any hoop, one that fits the project, and that's comfortable in your hands, I use wooden ones. And buy quality floss, like DMC. I love to use Rayon floss for flowers. I also have started a Crazy Quilt, which uses just about every stitch for embroidery known to mankind! It is very addicting, fun, creative and relaxing. I can't wait to see your newest edition to your storage foray!! amy in SoCal

Reply to
amy in SoCal

There are any number of pros and cons to both hoops and frames.

IMHO for delicate fabrics a frame is the only choice, for sturdy fabrics a hoop is fine.

I have a frame just for embroidery on fine silk that is lap sized. Sometimes the fabric must be rolled or folded before being stitched and rolled onto the frame, but I have never found a problem with that. Silk and other thin fabrics have a tendency to slide in a hoop and if you are doing fiddly work that takes time the sliding can cause wear on delicate fabric. Not only is that unsightly but it shortens the lifespan of the work. I also prefer a frame for linen. It is easier to keep the grain straight on a frame which is very important for embroidery on linen, especially the lower thread count varieties that are frequently used for drawn thread or cutwork techniques.

For embroidery on most cottons, synthetics (except rayon or dacron which show wear easily), and fabrics that have a finish a hoop is just fine. The exceptions of course being delicate fabrics such as gauze or organdy, or low thread count fabrics where the straightness of grain may be an issue.

Wool is in a wholly separate class. More often than not I use neither, and when I have to work on wool I just hold it in my hand. If I had to put it in a hoop or frame I would probably put it in a frame.

NightMist does fiddly th> As the subject notes: I have been bitten by the Embroidery bug. I

Reply to
NightMist

Some good stuff at wendyschoendesign.com too, John. Methinks you would want to modify the equipment to suit yourself. Wendy did lots of embroidery demonstrations on Martha Pullen's tv show - mostly baby stuff and it seems to me that she studied at the Royal School. And my usual answer - it depends. Sometimes a frame is best, sometimes a hoop and sometimes neither one. The most important thing I learned from Wendy was to pad the hoop - that is, wrap it with something soft, muslin or paper toweling; just something to prevent hoop-marking your fabric. Best wishes with your new adventure and we hope you ( and nice nurse) are doing well from your medical tribulations. Polly

Simple good quality muslin is great for handwork.

G> As the subject notes: I have been bitten by the Embroidery bug. I

Reply to
Polly Esther

Reply to
Taria

- snipped-for-privacy@k17g2000pre.googlegroups.com...

Nurse nice has helped me back from the land of the infirm. I now have the strength of 10 men and my heart is once again pure. The knee, on the other hand, or should I say the other knee, is almost back to shape. But as the doc said, "any time you go into the knee you add 5 years to it". So now I have a knee on the right side that is 75 and the left side, that one is 70. I guess it will all work out, and at least now I can tell when a cold front is coming. Maybe I can get a job at the weather channel. I thought that every one would have a different take on the choices for working the embroidery. So I guess you pays your money and takes your choices. I will post a picture of the frame, which I made a few years ago to work the needle point, and the chest is in process, and won't be ready for a few more days. It is made out of clear pine to match a small table that sits between the two chairs that we watch TV while sitting in. Other than that, it has been mornings spent on the stationary bicycle going nowhere fast. But it did facilitate the recovery much faster than I thought. Then there was a lot of time playing Hawaiian love songs for Nurse Nice, on the new guitar. Don Ho, eat your heart out. John

Reply to
John

In message , John writes

I have done embroidery of many types plus beadwork. First I use a "Lowery" Stand. It fits under the leg of my chair and hold various types of frames. You can buy it with a corner clamp or side clamp. It leaves both of your hand free to sew. It can be flipped over to get to back of work. When you want to get up you just swing it out of the way. I favour Siesta embroidery frames or Q-snaps rather than an hoop. The siesta frames can be made up into many shapes but not round. Being a woodworker you could easily make some yourself. My husband made some for me.

Here is a site for the Lowery

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Here is a site for embroidery frames
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E-mail me if you would like me to send you a scan of the smallest frames. Shirley Address below

Reply to
Shirley Shone

I've got a Lowery Stand too - wonderful and very versatile. Made to last several lifetimes!

As to hoops v frames - I use a hoop for 'hand embroidery' of the type in your book, and a frame for tapestry/counted work, though sometimes I use neither!

As Polly said, wrap the r> In message

Reply to
Sally Swindells

There's a significant difference between needlepoint and "soft" embroidery. Needlepoint does better with a frame because you want it kept stretched and flat, and the frame won't warp the canvas the way a round hoop would. But for the softer form, a hoop works well and allows you more flexibility. It's easy to move so that whatever bit you're working on is in the center for optimum support. Can't wait for photos of your new accessories! Roberta in D

Reply to
Roberta

On Sat, 12 Feb 2011 18:15:56 -0600, John wrote (in article ):

I've always used a hoop. And I tend to like a smaller hoop rather than larger, even though I have to "move' it more often.

Maureen

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak

I would tend to agree with you, re: the hoop v frame question. "But", the reason I asked was that the Book in question, which is from one of the foremost organizations that is solely devoted to embroidery, and needlepoint, states that one should use a frame for the "soft" embroidery and also for the needlepoint or "hard" stuff like needlepoint. I think it comes down to personal choice, but they seem to be the "authority", whatever that means, so there you have it. It makes more sense to me to use a hoop for multi directional stitching, rather than the linear type that is tent stitch needlepoint, but I wasn't sure about the general consensus, herein. Being as how I have never used the hoops, it will be a new direction for me to try, and I am looking forward to finding out which will be better suited to my particular application. I do have some other books regarding embroidery, but this particular book, "Royal School of Needlework", really got my interest up. Especially since I have been to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and seen what can be considered some of the finest work of this type in the world. They are associated with that august institution, and therefore might be thought of as a premier authority. It should be fun, immersing myself in an age old art form, and learning another skill. I can't wait.

John He who will still be quilting. Just not at night in front of the TV.

Reply to
John

I use a scroll frame for most of my needlepoint and cross-stitch on canvas. Hoops are great for portability and soft fabrics. A frame assembled from canvas stretchers is necessary for working with sensitive fabrics that would be marred by a clamp or a hoop -- I'm doing a crewel project on velvet on

12x12 stretchers right now.

In short, I enjoy all of the toys of lap needlework :-)

ep

Reply to
Edna Pearl

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