How To Keep Fabric Tight In Embroidery Hoops

When I first started embroidery, I would get really frustrated when my fabric would slip and become loose in the hoop. Over the years I figured out how to relieve this problem, so today I’m sharing with you some tried and true methods that will keep the fabric tight in an embroidery hoop!

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How To Keep An Embroidery Hoop Tight

This post is a part of a series about how to embroider for beginners.

There are many different, shapes, sizes, and types of hoops, but the most common kind are circular plastic or wooden embroidery hoops. This post will discuss how to keep the fabric tight in these kinds of hoops.

How To Tighten An Embroidery Hoop

Learning how to properly tighten an embroidery hoop is an essential part of the embroidery process. Taut fabric will help prevent uneven stitches and distorted designs.

Here’s how to properly use screw tension hoops so that they provide the right amount of tension on the fabric:

• Loosen the top screw: Separate the inner and outer rings.
• Prepare the fabric: Place the fabric over top of the inner ring, making sure the grain of the fabric is straight. This will help prevent over-stretching and make the finished embroidery look neater!
• Secure the outer ring: Double check that the fabric is centered. Then loosen the screw of the outer ring and place it over top of the fabric and inner ring.
• Tighten the screw: Finger tighten or use a screw driver to tighten the outer ring.
• Smooth and tighten the fabric: Pull the top, bottom, and sides of the fabric to tighten it like a drum. Be sure that the fabric isn’t wrinkled or warped in any areas.

It’s a good idea to do one final tightening of the hardware to ensure it’s as tight as possible. Then you’re ready to get stitching!

How Tight Should The Fabric Be In The Hoop?

The fabric should be tight without much give when you press it. The surface should appear smooth without any wrinkles and it should sound similar to a drum when you tap on it.

If the grain of the fabric looks distorted, it may be overly tight.

Extra Tips

Try A Plastic No-Slip Hoop

Plastic no-slip hoops have a lip around the inner ring that helps to grip the fabric, preventing it from slipping.

These can be a little confusing at first, so here’s how to properly use one:

• Place the fabric over the inner ring with the lip facing up.
• Fit the outer ring over the inner ring – you’ll need to loosen it quite a bit to be able to fit it over the lip.
• Tighten the screw and adjust the fabric as needed.

Inspect The Metal Hardware

Cheaper wood embroidery hoops have flimsy metal clasps that may not tighten effectively. Make sure to inspect them before you purchase or invest in a higher quality embroidery hoop.

Check The Inner And Outer Rings

When the inner and outer rings of an embroidery hoop don’t seal together nicely, they won’t grip the fabric evenly. Cheap wood and bamboo hoops are especially prone to warping. I like to closely examine each hoop before purchasing.

Bind Your Embroidery Hoop

Wrapping a strip of fabric, twill tape, or ribbon around the ring(s) of the hoop will help it to grip the fabric better. It also adds a bit of extra padding to the hoop which will protect the fabric and prevent hoop burn. This technique works best for wood hoops.

Learn how to bind an embroidery hoop.

Use The Right Size Hoop

Make sure that you have enough extra material along the edges of the hoop. If there are areas of the fabric that are too short, it will be hard to pull the fabric tight and the edge of the fabric could slip out while you’re stitching.

It’s ideal to leave at least 1.5 – 2 inches of extra fabric around the hoop.

If the piece of fabric doesn’t fit properly, choose a smaller hoop.

Shape Matters

Oval and square hoops won’t grip the fabric as evenly as a circular hoop, so I usually only use them for framing embroidery.

However, an alternative are these square hoops with rounded edges. And for larger projects, try slate frames or scroll bars for better tension management.

Use natural fabrics

Elastic and some synthetic materials can stretch and wear out over time, which can cause the fabric to sag.

Natural materials such as cotton and linen are ideal because they are sturdy and don’t contain any elastic in them. This means they will tolerate the tension of the hoop and your stitches much better.

Here’s where to find natural embroidery fabrics.

Double Up The Fabric

Adding an extra layer of cotton or muslin fabric behind your primary fabric will add some extra support which may help the hoop grip the fabric better. This is especially helpful when you’re working with thin or fragile fabrics.

Avoid Placing The Hoop Along Seams or Pockets Of Clothes

If you’re embroidering on clothing, try to avoid placing the hoop over seam lines or pockets as this can result in uneven tension.

Try some of these ideas out; I think you’ll notice a big difference!

I hope this tutorial sparked your creativity…stay cozy and keep creating magic!

Keep Learning

An alternative to an embroidery hoop is to use a slate frame, which has even better tension.

Amanda

Amanda is a hand embroidery teacher and artist. With over 15 years of experience in the craft industry and embroidery, she owns and runs Crewel Ghoul, sharing accessible tutorials and patterns to help inspire fellow crafters to get creative. In addition to running this website, she teaches on Skillshare and Youtube.