Different Embroidery Frames
There are different types of embroidery frames. Sometimes, the
mere choosing of the most proper embroidery frame for your
canvas can be as exasperating as the stitching itself. That is
why you should be presented with the various opportunities that
different embroidery frames offer. The first opportunity is not
to pick up any embroidery frame. In some cases frames are not
necessary, as in canvas work, like painted canvas kits, tassels
and Hapsberg lace samples.
Another thing to have in mind is that embroidery frames differ
in their price. The inexpensive frames are suitable in some
cases, but can be inappropriate in more sophisticated embroidery
projects. The inexpensive frames are Ring frames, Q-snaps and
Stretcher bar frames. For more information click Embroidery Frames
1)Ring frames are best when the frame is 1 inch deep. If the
slot is narrower, the fabric can easily slip. The frames can be
wooden or plastic, wooden are the better. The fabric must be
kept tight in the frame, but with ring frames several
difficulties occur. With smaller fabrics, narrower frames are
sufficient to keep the cloth taut. But when the fabric is bigger
and the embroidery work more complicated, ring frames are easy
to let the canvas slip, they cannot hold it tight enough.
Plastic frames are easier to let go of the fabric than wooden
ones.
2)Q-snaps are another inexpensive type of embroidery frames.
Plastic bars are slotted together and the fabric is clipped on a
plastic frame. Another piece of plastic is also slotted over the
fabric. But the cloth is not taut enough and can easily slip,
compared to the scroll bars, stretcher bars and slate frames
used in stitching.
3) Stretcher bars are fairly inexpensive and can be the best
possible solution for any kind of embroidery. The stretcher bar
frames are wooden and the fabric is kept perfectly taut. The
bars are sold in pairs, and every bar has dog teeth that keep
the tightness of the fabric. Pairs of stretcher bars can be
combined together for bigger fabrics. You can form a rectangular
shape for the frames by using two pairs. This type of embroidery
frames is perfect for Goldwork kits, Shadow embroidery,
Whitework kits, Needle painting kits and modern Jacobean kits.
Then come the more expensive types of embroidery frames used on
special projects. They are the following:
1) Scroll frames. They have two pairs of bars screwed to one
another so that a rectangular shape is acquired. The only
drawback is that sometimes the screws get loose and the fabric
is not kept tight. But if this is neglected, scroll bars are
perfect, as they can be left on a floor or a table, on virtually
any kind of surface, and leave your hands free: you don't need
to hold the frames all the time. The side bars that fit into
holes with the main top and bottom bars can sometimes be too
short for your fabric, so you must be careful when choosing the
size of the frame. Being too short, the side bars can influence
the smoothness of the fabric and can leave creases.
2) The second embroidery frame is slate frames. The main bars
have tape staples onto which you fit the fabric. Slate frames
also have trestles, with which they stand on stable surface.
They are extremely comfortable. The side arms are slightly
longer than the scroll frames, so that the fabric is protected
from creasing.
3) Lacing. It is an improved version of the scroll frames.
Scroll frames use only the main bars for tension over the
fabric. With lacing, the fabric is sewn on the four sides, on
the side bars as well, to ensure better tension so that the
canvas is better stretched. If the fabric is soft and tears
easily, sew a tape of curtain cloth on the edges and then attach
them to the bars.