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the pros and cons.
Almost every stitcher you talk to has a different view on the subject of hoops.
They are enthusiastically endorsed, adamantly derided as unnecessary, or viewed as
something in between. The truth is, hoops do encourage smoother and more even
stitches. They also make it easier to count threads when using smaller count fabric
such as linen with its uneven threads and slubs. A good hoop keeps fabric taught
and the holes between threads more visible. Below, are a few cautions to consider
when using a hoop.
- Don't stitch right up to the hoop—stop a least 2" from its edge.
If, as with a tennis racquet, you concentrate on working within the sweet spot,
the end result will be much nicer. The reason for this is that the fabric around
the edges may be distorted, resulting in uneven stitches and a finished design
with significant warping (if you stretch your own needlework, you'll appreciate
how annoying this can be.)
- Work clean, and keep your hoop immaculate. This is the only way you
can avoid grubby circles overlapping all over your stitching.
- Snacking and drinking around your work simply courts disaster. It's hard to
justify your ill humor to your cat when he or she knocks over your coffee,
spilling it onto your stitching and creating an instant antique.
Those stitchers who don't use hoops generally roll their fabric up close to the
area that they are working in, and secure it with a safety pin. This does make
stitching easier and reduces the dangers of thread getting tangled, or fabric getting
caught in your thread. It also means no dirty hoop marks (although clean hand and
no food rules still apply) and makes for easier traveling as there is less stuff to
contend with. The downside is that it is more difficult to gauge your stitch tension,
and easier to miscount on small thread fabrics. Aida fabric, with its easy-to-count
structure and substantial body, is more conducive to the no-hoop method than other
fabric types.
In the end, it's up to the individual—perfectionists and adventurers are
excepted, as we all know where their views on the matter lie—for most of us,
a bit of both is not a bad thing
Here's to beautiful stitching!
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