How To Frame Cross Stitch In A Hoop
At times, simple things look the best. Similarly, you can frame in an embroidery hoop to display your finished cross stitch patterns. This is a cheap, simple, and efficient way to show your talent.
This layer of personalization to your hoop with cross stitch framing will look modern and elegant after finishing. There are several ways to finish a frame cross stitch on an embroidery hoop.
So, if you’re planning to frame a cross-stitch in a hoop, you have come to the right place. Here, you can check the simple step-by-step guide to learn or enhance your skills on cross-stitching and embroidery hoops.
Everyone is a beginner at some point, and humans make mistakes. So, follow this guide and become the expert on cross stitch and hoop.
How To Frame Cross Stitch In A Hoop?
Contents
Framing cross stitch in a hoop is a simple task that needs few pieces of equipment and proper understanding of personalization of backing fabric, washing and ironing the cross stitch project, placing them on the hoop appropriately, gathering the material, and lastly, applying the backing fabric.
Also, some tips must be known by the sewers and cross-stitchers to frame their project in a hoop perfectly. For instance, cleaning the cross-stitch project before framing is the most common yet crucial tip to know.
Materials Needed
There are several methods of framing cross stitches in a hoop that may or may not include the use of glue. However, in both situations, you will need a good equipment supply to do the work efficiently. So, check all these materials and prepare to keep them by your side for framing the cross-stitch without any hassle.
Embroidery Hoop: You must get an embroidery hoop that is made of wood. You can get it from any stationary store or supermarket.
Finished Piece of Cross Stitch: You will need your completed cross-stitched project as it’s the most crucial material.
Cotton Or Embroidery Thread: You will need strong cotton or embroidery thread that matches the color of the stitched fabric and get another thread for the blanket stitch on the back.
Pen Or Pencil: Get a sharpened pencil and pen from the stationery store for measurements.
Scissors: Tackle a sharp-edged scissor for the ‘framing in the hoop’ procedure.
Embroidery Floss And Needle: You must be ready with your embroidery needle or any needle along with the embroidery floss.
Felt Sheet: The felt sheet must be more significant than the hoop and can be of any color.
So, get a proper insight into the frame-in hoop procedure for your cross-stitch project through this step-by-step guide and get the best results.
Step 1: Washing And Ironing
You may think of the cross stitch project clean on the surface, but the damage by your hands is already done. The oils from your hand will primarily get collected on the fabric while stitching. So, washing becomes the first crucial step.
Moreover, follow the best instructions for washing and ironing your cross stitch project and proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Personalize Your Backing Fabric
You have to place your backing fabric on an even flat surface with its good side down. So now, you have to take your embroidery hoop and put the larger ring on the reverse side of the backing fabric. In addition, take your pencil and draw an outline outside the hoop.
If you want this cross stitch frame to be given as a gift, you must embroider a message like the initials of their name on the backing fabric, placed on the hoop’s back to ensure a nice added touch. You can use your pencil or pen to draw the message and then backstitch on the top.
Moreover, ensure to do any personalization with stitches on the right side of the back fabric over the outlined area. So, if you’re finished, cut the fabric cautiously by following the marked pencil line.
Step 3: Place The Cross Stitch In The Hoop
In this step, place the inner hoop ring on the even flat surface of a table. Then, you have to put your cross stitch face up to the top of the ring. So, keep the design in the center to place the outer ring of the hoop on the top.
In addition, make sure the screw is centrally placed on the top of the design. Take time to adjust and position the design perfectly.
So, have you positioned the design in the desired place? If yes, then pull the taut firmly to avoid distorting the design. Next, you have to tighten the embroidery hoop’s screw. Finally, you have to trim the extra fabric around the hoop in a circle with a margin of about 1-½ inches.
Step 4: Gather The Fabric
In this step, first, you have to thread your needle. Cut a piece of embroidery thread long enough to easily go around 2-3 times around the embroidery hoop and thread the needle with it.
Also, the strong thread must leave a 3-4 inch tail. Also, you can use multiple strands of embroidery thread together to make it stronger.
Start with the bottom of your embroidery hoop and ensure a perfect even running stitch for about 1cm away from the hoop’s edge. In addition, you must follow the hoop’s curve around the edge.
So, keep going around the hoop, finishing near the first stitch, and leaving yet another 3-4 inch tail. Finally, trim away that excess thread.
Next, you have to gently hold the hoop and make the two tail threads pulled down along with others until the fabric gets gathered behind the loop. Also, in this step, you can appreciate help from your friends. Tell them to place their fingers on the thread when you tie the knot. Moreover, the key is not to lose tension in the thread.
Step 5: Apply The Backing Fabric
Important Note: You can use glue or adhesive for your backing fabric to the hoop. It will give you a nice, clean, and quick finish to the task. However, do it cautiously so that the glue doesn’t seep into your stitching project.
Moreover, glue is a permanent solution, so you won’t be able to wash your stitching or change the backing fabric in the future.
Lastly, in this step, you have to apply the backing fabric. Here, you have started securing the knot with your threaded needle from anywhere apart from the topmost part of your cross stitch piece. So, now start using overstitch to attach the backing fabric.
Moreover, the edge of the back fabric must be halfway across the width of the embroidery hoop. Thus, the top hoop will help you cover the stitches after replacement.
Also, remember to keep pulling taut and adjusting the backing fabric for a smooth finishing. Finally, secure your thread and replace the pouter hoop. In addition, you can add a ribbon to the hoop to make it more attractive.
How To Frame Cross Stitch?
You do not require any extra knowledge or skill when it comes to framing cross stitches. Once you know the essential steps, the entire process will look a lot easier for you.
To learn how to frame cross stitch, you can check the information provided below.
Step 1: Gather all the necessary tools and materials
Before you start framing the cross-stitch, you must call the right set of materials that will help you get the job done in time. So, the things you will need are:
- Masking tape
- Finished cross-stitching
- Ironing board and an iron
- Cross-stitch thread one skein (Any color will do)
- Thin cardboard
- Frame
- A cross-stitch needle
Step 2: Prepare the frame
Separate the glass from the frame and lay it on the surface of thin cardboard, and then trace it. When it comes to cardboard, go for the cereal box ones.
Using something thick will prevent you from fitting the finished product to the frame. Give the glass a good wash and use glass cleaner or dish soap for the cleaning work.
After that, you must cut out the shape that you received when tracing it. Make sure you cut entirely within the lines.
The cardboard should fit perfectly within the frame. It should also carry a few millimeters of wiggle room especially on all sides.
Step 3: Iron or press the cross stitch
Before you frame the cross-stitch, you have to iron it. Doing so will not preserve the creases created through the hoop for posterity underneath the glass.
Switch on the iron and start it in a low setting. You must only increase the heat when it’s required and do not use steam. Make sure you iron the cross-stitch design on the offside.
If the background is unstitched, you are free to press around the design and its finished side. But avoid the finished design at all costs, don’t press on it.
Step 4: Put the cardboard in position
Put the cardboard on the center of your offside design. Remember to leave at least an inch of all the sides. Don’t forget to double-check the positioning, and you can do so by flipping the work.
Once the positioning is completed, you can fold the fabric on its longest sides and make creases on it. You need to attach this particular side first.
Step 5: Start the sewing work
Cut a length of cross-stitch thread and use pieces that are two feet in size. With a needle, start threading at the ends and keep a short tail. Also, try to tie up some knots on the other end.
As you keep sewing, you need to reload your needs with the thread many times. When you have an extra thread of different shades, you can easily use them during such sewing work.
Thread the needle within the folded material. When you do the threading, keep a 1 cm gap on the edges. Also, stitch up the two long sides at the edges, and each of them should be 1 cm apart from the other.
After you do around 3 to 5 stitches, you can stop the work and pull each of the stitches tight one at a time. This will enable the stretch flat on the cardboard. Hold on to the stitch with a piece of masking tape.
After that, you can tie up a knot to hold it. You can continue the stitching work until you have sewed up the whole length. Try flipping the design and check whether it’s centered on the cardboard.
If the design is not in place, you can slowly try pulling off the masking tape. You can then carefully put the design in its correct position. Also, maintain the tautness on the stitch.
Step 6: Sewing up the backside
From the unsewn sides, trip out all the excess or extra material. When there is too much additional material, the corners will look fat. These fat corners will not fit within the frame.
Fold up the sides with neat corners as if you are wrapping a present. Once it’s done, you must tape the corners up and prepare another thread and needle.
Utilizing the same sew and tape technique, attach the short sides. When doing the attaching work, take good care of the folded corners on the material.
When both sides are sewed up, you might encounter a bit of bending on the cardboard. This happens because of the tautness of the sewing. This is pretty alright because the framing will flatten it up.
Step 7: Frame-up the cross stitch
Now, it’s time for the final part. Please take a look at whether the glass is completely dry and do not carry a drop of water on it. If needed, you must use a paper towel to dry it up and avoid using a dish towel as it might leave a tint.
Be very careful when you insert the glass back to the frame. After that, you must lay down the finished cross stitch on it.
Make sure to reassemble the backside of the frame. You will not require any padding between the back of the structure and the cross-stitch.
Once all the work gets completed, you will have a framed cross-stitch for decoration or gifting purposes.
Tips to Frame A Cross-Stitch
When you have decided to frame your cross-stitch work, there are several tips you must follow. Look below!
1. You need to opt for a frame that will complement your design perfectly.
2. Opt for a neutral mat shade for the mat right next to the frame.
3. The mat located next to the design, go for a shade that matches the shade available on the cross-stitch. You are free to use multiple mat shades as well.
4. The mat’s width located next to the design should be exhaustive as the frame.
5. Utilize plain glass instead of non-reflective glass. Non-reflective glass can mute the colors of the design and will make its edges appear blurry.
Is It Necessary To Wash The Cross Stitch?
In short, yes. When you do the stitching work, you use your hands for it. The natural oils from your skin travel to the material. The oils get soaked and will appear in the form of stains.
For such reasons, you must iron and wash your design before you think of framing it. But how do you clean it? There are several ways to do so.
1. Soak it in soapy water: In a large bowl, fill it up with lukewarm water and add one or two droplets of liquid soap. After that, put the cross stitch inside the blow and wash it thoroughly.
2. Rinse and partially dry it: Dump out the water from the cross stitch and rinse it on cool water 3 to 4 times. On a hand, the towel places the cross stitch on it and presses on it to remove the excess water.
3. Iron it: After the cross stitch is water-free, you can place it on an ironing board and start ironing it gently and carefully. Be sure to keep the iron moving all the time so that you do not scorch the material.
What Are The Reasons To Frame A Cross-Stitch?
One of the biggest reasons to frame a cross-stitch is to show it off to others quickly. It’s one of the traditional techniques through which you can let others know how skillful and talented you are.
Apart from that, framing cross-stitched pieces can also work in the form of a gift or present. You can give it to someone on any occasion, such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and many more.
On the other hand, you can also frame your cross stitch to decorate the interiors of your home. You can append a touch of sophistication and style to a particular room by placing a framed cross-stitched piece on the wall or a table.
Before you start the framing work, you must make sure that you have all the necessary tools and items beside you. If you are missing something, don’t start without it.
