Can You Cross Stitch Without A Hoop
Sewing and stitching are artistry work that require passion and dedication. There are several intricate details in sewing and stitching that a person needs to learn to make their project successful.
Not only for stitching different fabrics, but sewing is also used for decorative purposes. For instance, embroidery is also an essential part of sewing that involves decorative stitching.
When doing embroidery, there are plenty of things that you must keep in your mind, for instance, buying the right thread, looking for the correct fabric, and taking the ideal fabric that can best support your embroidery.
You need some apparatus for embroidery like a hoop that keeps your fabric tight. A majority of embroidery stitching requires support from a hoop.
But, not all embroidery stitches are dependent on a hoop. Hence, it is essential to determine which embroidery stitch would need assistance from a hoop.
In this article, you will get to know about the role of hoops in embroidery and can you cross stitch without a hoop or not.
Can You Cross Stitch Without a Hoop?
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Yes. Hoop is used to tightening the fabric, but unlike other embroidery stitches, a cross-stitch doesn’t require the support from a hoop. So, you can easily cross stitch without a hoop. But, yes, you can do it with a hoop as well according to your preference. It will only make your cross stitch more elegant and neatly finished.
How To Cross Stitch Without A Hoop?
There are plenty of ways in which you can cross-stitch without using a hoop. Take a look at the step by step guide of one of the easiest ways of making cross-stitch where you don’t need a hoop.
Materials Required
- Fabric (big enough to cover the hoop)
- Cross Stitch Chart
- Pen or chalk for marking
- Embroidery needle and floss
- Scissors
Step 1. Read The Cross Stitch Chart
A cross stitch chart will prove to be beneficial for beginners. It helps you learn everything you need to know about cross-stitch. The grid of a cross-stitch chart is similar to the weave of your fabric. The chart will tell you where to start.
Step 2. Wash The Fabric And Iron
The first and foremost rule of embroidery is to clean your fabric and iron it properly to give a sleek finish and prepare for embroidery.
Step 3. Prepare The Fabric
You can cross stitch on different fabrics, but the real work lies in preparing that fabric. Woven fabrics are prone to fray when you cut them. Hence, it would be great to bind the edge before starting to stitch. You can also sew the sides using zig-zag pattern to minimize the fraying.
Step 4. Time To Cross Stitch
For cross stitching, you need to find the center of the fabric from where you would start stitching. To find the center, just fold your fabric in half and make another half. Crease the center of your material or place a pin the center to mark. You can also make a small stitch at the center. From that center, you can start stitching and make rows of cross stitches.
Start from the back and bring it through the front with an inch thread at the back. Now diagonally pass the thread to make a slanted cross. Keep repeating the process till you get rows of cross stitches.
Step 5. Get The Fabric Together
Leave a 3-inch trail and start running a stitch in the edge of the fabric and keep ¼ inch gap from the side. Keep running the stitch in a circle, and once you reach the beginning of the ring, pull the ends of the thread. You will see that the fabric will start puckering and gathering together. At last, tie both the ends into a simple knot to secure the fabric.
Step 6. Felt Backing
Take another embroidery floss and needle, start stitching the felt circle. You can use a blanket stitch to go at the back of the fabric. It is essential to use the same thread as you have used previously, or go with a contrasting color.
With all these steps, you can easily cross stitch without using a hoop.
What Are The Different Types of Cross Stitches?
Cross stitching is the most common and straightforward stitching technique where you just need two straight stitches crossing each other. There are different types of cross stitches that you can use in your stitching endeavors. Here are a few common types of cross stitches that you must be aware of-:
Space Cross Stitch: As the name suggests, the stitches will be space apart, making visible cross signs.
Double Cross Stitch: It has two more stitches than the regular cross stitch. You need to double your single cross stitch.
Double-Sided Cross Stitch: In this cross stitch, you can see one leg cross stitch with two parts.
Long Armed Cross Stitch: With one leg on other stitches, a long-armed cross stitch is a series of cross stitches.
Hungarian Cross Stitch: It includes cross stitch with overlaid thread. Hungarian cross stitch makes a grid-like pattern.
Herringbone Stitch: It is more like a variant to the simple cross stitch, where you make half cross all along with the stitches.
Double Herringbone Stitch: Here, two different types of threads are used to make adjacent stitches.
Italian Cross Stitch: This type of stitch has a border to it. It looks like a box filled with stitches.
Greek Cross Stitches: Making upright cross stitches, Greek cross stitches are made in four parts.
Rice Stitches: It is a four-legged start stitch where stitches are made between the spaces of the cross-stitch.
What Are The Major Advantages of Using Hoops in Embroidery?
While you can easily cross stitch without a hoop, using hoops can bring significant changes in your embroidery stitching. It is essential to choose your hoop carefully in order to make optimal use of it. Here are a few advantages of using hoops regularly in your stitching:
1. Hoops helps in keeping your fabric taut while stitching. There are chances when the continuous work of needle and thread can pucker your fabric. But a hoop will continuously hold the fabric.
2. It is important to keep your stitches consistent, and hoops help in achieving that consistency in your stitches.
3. When you want to make smaller embroidery and frames, only a hoop can let you create such miniature designs.
4. If you attach the hoop to a stand, you can do your stitches more efficiently as you no longer have to hold the hoop.
5. The hoop can be moved according to your preference, and you can make designs at different places of your fabric.
Is it Essential To Use A Hoop While Doing Embroidery Stitches?
Embroidery stitches are done for decorative purposes. Hence, it is essential to make them look good and appealing. Irrespective of the thread and fabric you use, it is essential to choose a suitable hoop that can perfectly hold the fabric while doing the stitches.
Hoops essentially used to tighten the fabric, so that you can efficiently do the embroidery stitches. Some embroidery stitches don’t require a hoop, but it is always advised to use a hoop whenever you are doing embroidery.
It will not only make your stitching efficient, but it will also help you finish the work quickly, as you are given a small working area within the hoop.
Which Size of Cross Stitch Hoop is Considered Ideal?
Hoops are available in different sizes and structures that majorly depends on the type stitch you are going to do on the fabric.
Round shaped hoops are the most common shape used for embroidery stitches. For a cross-stitch, you can use a hoop with 3-14 inch diameter.
The shape of the hoop depends on your project size. Make sure that your hoop fits around the fabric, and there is some material left for hanging out.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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