From Connie G. Thomas,
Your Guide to Cross-Stitch.
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Calipenny submitted this tip about how she solved one stitching problem.

She writes:

My fabric would always work its way loose in the hoop frame when I was stitching. Here is how I solved that problem.

First, I conditioned my wooden hoops with a soaking in linseed oil. When dry, I sanded them and applied two coats of polyurethane. I had some extra blanket binding tape (1/4 inch) so I wrapped it around the inner ring. I used craft glue to hold the tape down at beginning and end.

Now I use good old bias tape strips - 1/2 inch wide - from the notions department in various colors to wrap the inside ring of my hoops. When the glue is dried, and I usually wait 24-hours before removing the clip, I sew the tail to the inside edge of the hoop.

This way, when I lay my material over the inner hoop, set the outer hoop over it and tighten the hoop down half-way, I can pull the fabric taut, tighten the hoop some more, pull the fabric taut again, until I have the hoop set up as tight as it needs to be, then my fabric doesn't slip during the stitching!

I tried this on one little hoop first. It worked so well, that I went back to Joann Fabrics and bought more bias tape and wrapped all my hoops in all sorts of pretty colors. I often stitch on scraps of Cross Stitch fabric, so there isn't always a lot of overhang to pull it tight with. Fray check on the edges has also helped.

Do you have a great tip about Cross Stitch? Use the Cross Stitch Tip Submission Form to submit your Cross Stitch tips and share your experience with other stitchers.

More About Cross Stitch Hoops and Frames:

• How to Put Cross Stitch Fabric in a Hoop
• Put Fabric in a Ratchet Needlework Frame