Tips for Using Ring Frames

Now I have always been the sort to work small scale when stitching, large pieces just don't do a whole lot for me and frankly I just don't have the space. Now if I was working big scale then I would work on a slate frame rested on a set of trestles, however, I don't mainly because it would take up most of my flat and secondly its been a very long time since I had a set of trestles and finally most of my work doesn't need to be done on such large frames. Now I am sure some will be going what are slate frames, and what the heck are trestles? If you had asked me before I did my Apprenticeship back in 2002 I'd have drawn a blank too.

Slate frames and trestles as seen in use at the Royal School of Needlework 

The image above shows you what a slate frame and trestles would be like in use, it's ideal for keeping large pieces of fabric taut. I can't stand loose fabric (unless it needs to be.)  

Anyway, because I don't use the above equipment I use a wooden hoop frame either in a barrel clamp or seat frame system. Now a tip if you are planning on doing a lot of embroidery, like me small scale, its worth investing in because unlike the skinny hoop frames, which frankly I prefer just to frame things in now, they keep the fabric nice and taut and so much easier to use because you can keep both hands free. The link to the barrel clamp isn't the greatest because its shown using a skinny hoop the best sort are the ones that are 1 inch deep, allowing for greater grip on the fabric. 

However, I don't just bung my fabric into the hoop and get on with it, no I get the hoop ready. By that I mean I wrap some plain fabric or webbing round both sets of hoops to help keep the frame clean (easy to replace) and helps with the grip on the fabric. 

You may have seen this hoop before, the webbing I used is a little grubby and is now due for replacing

Its not the easiest thing to do sometimes, especially if your not awake or your all fingers and thumbs. However, it is worth it, and once you've done it a couple of times you get used to it. 

So how is it done?

Lets start with the bottom hoop (the one that will have the dowel attachment) 

First thing to do is to either cut long strips of plain cotton, I used calico as it was the only thing I had to hand, or you can use webbing which is generally my preferred choice as it doesn't fray. Always have more than you need as depending on the size of the frame you don't want to be caught short, and the less you need to join bits together the better.

Hold one end on the side of the frame, start outside or in it doesn't matter, then tightly wrap the fabric round it so it covers the end, make sure that your wrapping is taut or it will just come undone.

This may take a couple of tries and countless swearing. Have tea on hand to calm nerves. 

Depending on how long your stripes are (if not using webbing) you may need to join two bits together, this is easy just running stitch the two ends together, making sure the hem/join is, when wrapping, laying against the frame and not on the outside where it could come undone over time. 

Carry on wrapping all the way round.

You will soon be back at the beginning and with a bit of patience you will be able to wrap round the bit of the frame that attaches to the dowel (that plastic bit) and cover over the bit where you first started. Again, make sure that your wrapping is taut or it will just come undone.

When you think your happy with the wrapping, cut off the excess strip, leaving enough to be able to tuck under (you can just see where I folded under about a centimetre of the fabric). Then with a needle and thread oversew the end to the intial wrapping, making sure stitches are pulled tight and secure, then either a knot and a few stitches to finish, then cut the remaining thread. 

There you go one bit of the frame done.

Only the second to go! 

Repeat the above steps, though with the top frame you will not be able to meet the beginning owing to the gap, so don't be tempted!! 

What you will have to do is when you start, stitch the beginning of the fabric/webbing strip to itself before wrapping and when you reach the end, finish off the exactly the same way as before. 

Now hopefully you've understood my instructions and you have yourself a set of well wrapped hoop frames ready to use!

Any questions?