hoops

"Dana Compton" ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

Use the plastic ones but run bias binding round (to cover) the inner ring. Works like a charm.

I use wooden hoops, but the cheaper ones you buy at fabric and craft stores are made so very cheaply that they won't stand up to use, as you have discovered.

Klass & Gesson hoops (German) are lovely birch hoops with a solid brass screw fitting that you can tamp down securely with a screw driver and really keep your project tight. Of course, you need to wrap your hoop. However, there's differences of opinion on the right way to wrap: upper hoop, inside hoop, or both. I do it all ways depending on the project. They are not that expensive (around $5 for a 6-inch).

Another beautifully made hoop is Manor House. They are also birch, I believe, and come in different thicknesses. They are a little wide for my tastes. You have to be careful of that because that means your fingers can't reach across as easily. I do think they also make thinner ones, so do a good search for them. Not everyone carries all the different sizes (depth as well as circumference. They are much more expensive.

Dianne

Glad you came back for more, Dana! You're going to get as many different suggestions as there are stitchers on this one!!! :)

I don't like either the wooden hoops *or* the plastic ones. I use the metal ones with the cork on the inner ring. Some people seem to have trouble with them leaving rust marks but I have *never* had that happen with mine. I think they are now made with aluminum rather than steel but can't say for sure (haven't held a magnet to them!). But the one I "borrowed" from my mother about 40 years ago I know is steel and has never left a single mark.

There's also a plastic type with a squeeze-spring-type inner ring that seems to hold better than the all-plastic rings, from what I've heard. Here's a picture of one:

also don't like my fabric drum-tight since I cross-stitch using the"sewing" method rather than the "stick-n-stab" method, so I need alittle more wiggle room. As far as size, unless the project is small, I usually use a 4" or 5" hoop. Those seem to fit my hand the best. I *rarely* use anything larger.

HTH!

Joan

When I use a hoop, this is the one I prefer. I'm not positive, but I *think* they were originally made for free motion machine embroidery and that's the reason the fabric stays so tight. I'm sure it's also the reason I've never been able to find one any bigger than about 8" in diameter! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

I have two plastic ones I picked up more years ago than I want to admit. They are light blue in colour, and the inner ring has a lip that extends over the outer ring, and it also textured. I have no problems getting things drum tight (handy when doing satin stitch).

No idea the maker (probably picked them up in White Rose). I have an

8 " I use for most things, and smaller 4" I mostly use one towels and stuff.

Tara

Above snipped for brevity

Wrap? Ok I am missing out on this idea LOL. With what? Do they make special wrap material?

Dana

I usually just use strips of cotton fabric leftover from sewing projects. You can use strips of just about any fabric that is handy -- old sheets work well too :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^<

You wrap one or both rings in order to help the fabric stay put. Some people also say it helps to keep the hoops from being stained by the wood, but that makes no sense, since you only wrap one. It really (I've experimented) helps to keep the hoop firmly in place. But for "safety" reasons, I have occasionally wrapped both - especially my tambour hoop.

I use strips of muslin for the task. Wider pieces for my large tambour hoop and smaller (about 2-inch) strips for the small hoops. Just wind round and sew the last end down in any old fashion. When the strips become dirty, replace.

Dianne

*When* I use a hoop, I use the ones by Susan Bates called Hoopla. The fabric doesn't shift much *at all*.