Mount your cross stitch in a hoop

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Embroidery hoops are not just for holding! They make great frames to display your cross stitch

Chances are that if you have tried any kind of embroidery in the past, you will have a few embroidery hoops in your home in different sizes. They are handy for holding your fabric taut while you are stitching. But that is not all they are good for – they make perfect frames to display your finished cross stitch in as well! Our step-by-step guide will show you a quick and easy way to frame your stitching in a hoop.

Looking for the perfect project to stitch for your hoop? Browse our selection of free cross stitch animal patterns. Or take a look at our free modern cross stitch patterns.

Step 1

Using your inner hoop as a template, cut out your stitching approximately 4cm (1½in) larger than your hoop. Then cut out a piece of white felt slightly smaller than your inner hoop.

Step 2

Insert your stitching into the hoop making sure the design is straight and central, with the screw at the top. You will want to make the screw really tight – keeping the stitching taut like a drum. Sew a row of running stitch around the outside.

Step 3

Firmly pull the thread to gather the edge of the stitching at the back, then secure.

Step 4

Lay the felt over the back of the hoop and tack in place to protect the back of the stitching.

There are lots of different things you can do to customise your hoop. Why not try painting the hoop with acrylic or emulsion, wrapping you hoop in ribbon or spare thread from your stash or even adding accessories such as pom-pom trim or card toppers. Find more ides in our embroidery hoop craft ideas article.

How about more hoops?

We have some brilliant free cross stich designs for you on Gathered that are perfect for displaying in hoops! Check out our poppy cross stitch pattern ot try our free owl cross stitch pattern. Make a hoop pocket with our free sewing machine motif cross stitch chart, or browse a brilliant selection of cross stitch hoops kits you can buy in our best modern cross stitch kits article.

Heather Nugent

Heather is a designer and technical expert with over eight years of experience in craft publishing, and is the Technical Editor for Love Embroidery magazine. She first started sewing with her mum when she was five years old and has been hooked on all things stitched ever since. She’s designed projects for Your Home, Today’s Quilter, Craftseller, Your Handmade Home, RSPB wild explorer, bbcgoodfood.com, Cross Stitch Crazy, The World of Cross Stitching and Lakeside needlecraft cross stitch books. Find her on instagram @heathers.handmade.hub

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