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Choosing A Needlecraft Working Frame
NEW Siesta Miniatures Needlecraft supplies: Embroidery, Cross stitch, Tapestry, Quilting, Sewing
At Siesta Frames we are often asked for advice on the type of frame to use for a project and the ease or difficulty of using them. There are so many working frames available today that it is very easy to become confused over which type to choose, especially when you are a beginner. The following gives a brief discussion of the use of a variety of popular frames, including some of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of frame
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> Points to remember when choosing a frame:1. Type of fabric, e.g. fine, coarse, etc. 2. Size of the work 3. Weight of frame (in case of physical problems such as arthritis). 4. Type of stitches involved in the project. 5. Portability. 6. Ease of assembly. 7. Will it be used in a stand? 8. Cost
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ZEN Canvases Home About Siesta Frames Siesta Links and Information Choosing a Needlecraft Working Frame Products
New Products Pack of Five 40mm lids for SB40 £1.19 Pack of Five 40mm lids for SB40 stacker jars find out more
Smart Rechargeable light £29.00 Rechargable - up to 4 hours of light, Daylight LEDs with 3 step dimmer, ideal for needlework,quilting,crafting and reading Three ways to power; internal rechargable battery (included); plug-in mains adapter; USB cable. Dimensions 5.6 x 8.2 x 8 cm find out more
Clear Storage Box with 12 Jars £3.60 Each individual jar has a screw top lid. Size of box 16 x 12 x 3 cm. Size of jars, height 2cms, dia 4cms find out more
Wooden Cantilever Storage Box. £29.95 3 tray wooden cantiler storage box for reels or other sewing items. 30 x 30 x 17cms (11.8") find out more
Crochet & Knitting Blocking Board £19.96 Crochet and Knitting blocking board 30x 30 x2cms (11.8" x .8) with 12 pins. find out more
Magnetic Pick-up Tool 5lb lift £4.03 A handy telescopic pick up tool with 5lb lift find out more
Hoops Hoops are perhaps the least expensive and most readily available frame. They are mainly circular but some oval ones are available. They are very simple to use and can be moved around easily, but care should be taken not to put the hoop over stitched areas as this may damage the stitching. Square or rectangular designs require an extra fabric allowance all around and a larger hoop may be required to enable stitching into the corners, this often means wasted fabric. Where a project has both freestyle and counted embroidery stitches, the hoop is quickly and easily positioned or removed as required. Hoops are generally not suitable for canvas work. Cons. Hoops are generally not so suitable for canvas work, Work should not be left in hoops when not stitching to avoid hoop marks , Square or rectangular designs require an extra fabric allowance all around and a larger hoop can be used to enable stitching into the corners, this often means wasted fabric.
There are three main types of hoops, Embroidery, Quilting and Spring tension.
Wooden hoops can be bound with tape before use to prevent marking the fabric and slipping. Ideally, the hoop should be big enough to enclose the complete design and hoops are therefore restricted to smaller projects. Pros , Inexpensive, Lightweight , Easily put together, Good tension, Takes up little room, Good for small projects, Where a project has both freestyle and counted embroidery stitches the hoop is quickly and easily positioned or removed as required
Embroidery Hoops Embroidery hoops are typically 3/8" (10mm) deep and range in size from 3" to 12" diameter and are widey used in many needle crafts such as crossstitching. Embroidery hoops come in a variety of styles annd materials, e.g. plastic, wood, spring tension, etc. Ideally,the hoop should be big enough to enclose the complete design and hoops are therefore generally better for use with smaller projects.
Square or rectangular designs require an extra fabric allowance all around and a larger hoop may be required to enable stitching into the corners, this often means wasted fabric. Where a project has both freestyle and counted embroidery stitches, the hoop is quickly and easily positioned or removed as required. Hoops are generally not suitable for canvas work.
Quilting Hoops Quilting hoops are typically 1" (25mm) deep and range in size from 12" to 18" diameter and made of wood. As the name implies they are primarily used for quilting or other large projects.
Plastic Hoops Some plastic embroidery hoops have non-slip lip to hold the fabric better and a larger tightening screw which makes it easier to tighten with arthritic hands and wrists.
Spring Tension Hoops Spring Tension Hoops are more expensive but they have an inner sprung metal ring providing superior tension. They are easier to adjust than hoops with a fiddly screw tightener. Spring hoops are available in smaller sizes 3" to 7"
Tapestry Frames/ Hand Rotating Frames Traditional tapestry or hand rotating frames are suitable for needlepoint and cross-stitch and can be used with canvas, aida cloth, linen, etc. The frames come in various sizes, usually consisting of 12? side bars and a pair of rollers. The rollers have a strip of canvas for stitching the fabric onto. Once stitched on the excess fabric is rolled up until the required tension is achieved. Work is usually left on the frame until finished. These frames are generally sold as a complete frame and the side bars and rollers are not sold separately. Pros Work is kept flat and clean Reasonably priced Good range of sizes Suitable for most size projects Cons Fiddly to stitch the cloth on to the canvas strips. Work can sometimes come loose during progress and has to be stitched on again Frame quite heavy
Siesta No-Sew Roller Frames This type of hand rotating frame does the same job as the ?traditional? tapestry frame but has several differences. Side bars and rollers are sold separately enabling the stitcher to use any size side bar with any width roller.
The fabric is attached to the rollers with masking tape and secured with a desktop stapler. The wood is very lightweight and takes a staple easily.
No-Sew Pros & Cons Pros No stitching on. Up to 50percent lighter than traditional frames Good tension Additional sidebar holes for a third roller to clamp the frame without damaging the work Work is kept flat and clean Excellent range of sizes
The frames are easily converted to floor or lap stands with the optional sets of legs sold separately
Siesta Clip'n'Sew Roller Frames Clip'n'Sew roller frames are hand rotating frames that are similar to Siesta's No-Sew frames in that the side bars and rollers are sold separately enabling the stitcher to use any size side bar with any width roller. But in addition the fabric is held in place on the specially profiled plastic rollers and plastic clips hold the fabric firmly and give a circular profile when the fabric is rolled up on the roller.
Siesta Mini No-Sew Frames
If you stitch a lot of small projects, the Mini No-Sew frame is probably for you. They are great for small things such as cards, mini bell pulls, bookmarks and small pictures. The fabric is taped on to the rollers with masking tape and just rolled up. Various size rollers fit into 4?, 6? or 9? side bars. The made up frame is lightweight and only suitable for finer fabrics such as aida and linen. Pros Excellent for small projects Very light to hold No wasted fabric Easily set up Finished work is clean and crease free Cons Limited to finer weight fabrics.
Easy Clip Frame The Easy Clip is another type of roller frame which does not require stitching on of the fabric. The fabric is held in place with plastic clips which slot into a groove on the rollers. The frame is easily set up and holds aida cloth, linen and canvas. Pros Quick to assemble Good tension Lots of sizes Cons Frame quite heavy
Universal Craft Frame This popular plastic frame is ideal for quilting, cross-stitch and tapestry work. There is a good variety of sizes, both square and rectangular. The fabric is held in place with plastic clips on all sides. As with hoops care should be taken to not to place the clips over stitched areas. Pros Very easy to assemble Suits most fabrics Variety of sizes Whole of the stitching area in view Cons Slightly bulkier to hold
Able Stretcher Frame The Able Stretcher is an adjustable plastic frame which forms squares and rectangles and is suitable for most fabrics. The frame can be made smaller or larger by moving the corner pegs into holes in the sides of the frame. The work is held in place with plastic clips slotted into a groove in the frame. Pros Good tension Each frame adjustable in size Total stitching area in view Cons Take care not to lose clips Larger sizes are best worked in a stand More difficult to hold when frame is reduced down to its smallest size.
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Interlocking Bar Frames This is probably the most lightweight wooden frame on the market today. This is probably the most lightweight wooden frame on the market today. The wooden bars come in pairs of different sizes and any two pairs lock together at the corners to make a square or rectangular frame, e.g. one pair of 8? and one pair of 10? make a frame 8" by 10?. The frame is made to fit the fabric which is edged with masking tape and attached to the frame with drawing pins or staples. Very small pieces of fabric can be stretched in this way, cutting out waste and many sizes of bars are available to suit all size requirements. Suitable for most types of fabric and perfect for use in stands due to the lightness of the frame. Pros Cons Extremely light to hold Largest sizes are best worked in a stand Makes any size Finished work does not require stretching or ironing Perfect with stands Packs of sizes available Total stitching area in view
Grip-nStitch A new type of plastic frame consisting of assorted pieces which screw and slot together to make a frame size of your choice. When the frame is assembled, strips of fabri-grip slide onto the sides which grips the fabric in place. Each pack makes assorted square and rectangular frames from 7? square up to 14? square The pack includes protective side pieces to cover the fabri-grip teeth when holding the frame. Pros Cons Multi sizes Lots of small pieces Excellent tension Takes time to assemble .
Hands Free Stitching Certain frames are easier to work with if placed in a floor or seat stand. A good selection of the different types of Needlecraft Work Stands can be seen in Siesta's Needlecraft Stands section..
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