Cross Stitch Tip - Calipenny's Prevent Fabric from Slipping Tip

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.

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More About Cross Stitch Hoops and Frames:

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