Embroidery as a form of decorative creativity has been known to mankind since ancient times. This art originated in the Eastern region. And it developed, being widely used, from an even earlier time than it became known in Ancient Rome and Greece.
In fact, embroidery is a handiwork, which involves decorating with a variety of patterns of fabrics and other materials (canvas, leather, batiste, linen, gas, tulle and so on).
The main tools for this type of creativity are special threads, needles, scissors and other devices.
About the hoop
This is an embroidery tool that has a round, oval or rectangular shape. It comes from the word "stare" - to stretch, pull. It consists of two frames, slightly different in size from each other. Between them the fabric is stretched.
When the master just begins to master this art, he often uses the hoop. Firstly, a relatively small size allows you to embroider on a sofa (armchair), transfer work to any distance. Secondly, with the hoop there is an opportunity to sit comfortably (unlike the machine) in order to exclude painful sensations in the back and arms.
But there are also negative aspects in use: busy hands, difficulties when embroidering a large fabric (stitches bent between rings-frames are bent). Therefore, many masters are switching to machines and frames.
Universal machines for embroidery
They are of the following types: floor, table and sofa.
Floor, as a rule, consist of a support, legs and directly frames with clips for a cloth.
Sofa and table machines consist of side supports (in the form of rigid triangles or other forms of structures) and a frame on which the fabric is fixed. Thanks to this device it is possible to embroider large and huge canvases (from towels to carpets). In addition, the hands of the master remain free.
But there is a negative point: the back quickly gets tired. This is due to the fact that the machine is located at a certain distance from the embroidery. This creates some inconvenience (and even forces some to hoop again).
But progress does not stand still, and special frames for embroidery have already begun to appear in Europe. And some compatriots make them with their own hands.
Cross stitch frame
Due to the fact that most of the craftswomen prefer a well-stretched fabric (canvas), tapestry frames are also popular devices for this type of creativity, except for hoops.
Main characteristics:
- They have a rectangular shape.
- Dimensions can be adjusted or fixed.
- Due to the fact that the embroidery field is large enough, the work can be performed both sequentially and randomly.
- Most of the embroidery is visible, which is also a positive point.
- The design allows you to evenly stretch the canvas and subsequently avoid distortions of the finished picture.
Frame Criteria
According to such criteria, you should choose this device for embroidery:
- Ease of use;
- A light weight;
- Functionality;
- Pleasant to the touch material;
- Adequate cost.
Due to the fact that frames for embroidery with beads and a cross, in fact, are not produced all over the world, and what is already there is not everyone likes (as usual, you will not please everyone!), The masters came up with the so-called " ideal frame ideal "
- high-quality and environmentally friendly materials of the constituents (exclusion of negative effects on the health of the master, as well as damage to the canvas);
- when moving the embroidered work so that the finished sections do not deform;
- convenient mounting of the canvas to structural elements;
- the possibility of excellent tension on 4 sides (it is desirable that this can be regulated);
- minimum dimensions and weight;
- good external data (pleasant sensations from touching the frame, color, grace and so on);
- acceptable price.
Fabric fastening
How to use a cross stitch frame? It is very important to stretch the fabric and secure along the horizontal and vertical (if necessary) components of the structure. This is done using sewing, Velcro, clips, special fasteners with clips, in grooves and so on.
In order for the embroidery process to be high-quality and enjoyable, it is really important that the canvas horizontally and vertically be uniformly, evenly and smoothly stretched, without waves and distortions. Each straight sewing line should be flat and straight.
A few recommendations on this subject:
- The fabric must be fixed either with the front or the wrong side facing out (in order to protect it from external influences when working on a large canvas).
- Choose a place to start work from.
- Wrap the upper and lower sections of the canvas on horizontal strips. Thus, the necessary “working” fragment will be on the frame.
- Firmly tighten the locks on the horizontal bars of the frame.
- Stretch and adjust the fabric so that the surface looks like a drum.
How to sew fabric to a frame braid:
- find the central part of the fabric along the upper edge;
- combine it with the middle of the horizontal upper bar;
- fix this place with a pin;
- pull the canvas evenly and fix the entire attached edge with pins on the braid;
- with a needle and thread with large stitches, go along the seam obliquely along the fixed line (sew the canvas to the braid);
- do the same on the other hand.
Do it yourself
A craftswoman from Russia and her husband talk about the manufacture of a frame for embroidery with their own hands (a master class for those who wish!) Having systematized the information that is on the Internet on this issue, having independently made a drawing, they calculated the materials and made them.
So, as the sequence of the work (the size of the finished product is 45x30 centimeters):
- From a wooden planed lath (pine), with a section of 20x30 millimeters, it is necessary to make the sides of the product for embroidery. Each length is 30 centimeters. On wooden workpieces, 3 holes are made.
- The cylindrical horizontal components of the frame are made of round wooden billets (each length is 45 centimeters). On both sides of the cylinders, screw-in screws with a thread length of 6-8 centimeters must be screwed in.
- Further, from a dense fabric, covers are sewn, to which a canvas for embroidery will be attached . Fasten each cover along the horizontal components with a stapler (as if to “flash” it).
- Assemble the frame. Then it can be attached to the machine and create with pleasure.
Ready-made fixtures
Those who do not want to mess around or are not able to make on their own can order a ready-made Millennium frame for embroidery.
Such a device is very convenient to use and of high quality in its materials and components. Unfortunately, they are not produced on the territory of Russia, and therefore are ordered exclusively from abroad. Country of origin - United Kingdom.
What is the beauty of this device for embroidery:
- Quality material (durable and reliable beech wood).
- Each blank frame for embroidery is very pleasant to the touch.
- Among the components there are no plastic or metal components.
- Easy to fasten fabric.
- Good vertical stretching of the canvas (does not bend even under the weight of a kilogram iron).
There are no drawbacks as such, except that when ordering via the Internet you need to wait about 2 months. And a fairly high price.
But, according to the reviews of the craftswomen who have already tested the Millennium frame, it's worth it!
The components of this device for handiwork are as follows:
- 2 horizontal strips of round (or rectangular) section with grooves into which thin sticks are inserted - to fix the fabric;
- 2 wooden vertical struts with holes;
- threaded wooden pins and large wooden nuts - to adjust the height of the frame.
How to use the Millennium frame?
Before you start embroidering, you need to stretch the canvas.
There are some features for the frame of this brand:
- First, the lateral struts are attached to the lower horizontal bar of circular cross section.
- Next, the lower edge of the canvas is placed on the plank and fixed with a thin stick (knitting needle). After that, the fabric several times (4-5) is, as it were, wound on a bar. Tightens well.
- Then the upper edge of the embroidery fabric is attached to the upper horizontal bar. And also fixed with a spoke.
- Next, you need to bring the upper parts of the side struts in accordance with the holes that are on the upper bar.
- And when the whole frame is completely assembled (along with the canvas), it is necessary to make a good tension. To do this, simultaneously rotate the wooden nuts, which are on the threaded pins - until full tension.
Other manufacturers
Elbesee embroidery frame is also made very high quality. It consists of two horizontal plates (round section) and two vertical (rectangular section). Between themselves, all components are fixed with special bolts.
Made of high quality wood.
By the way, on the horizontal slats there is a fabric to which the canvas is attached (as on the slats of a frame that is made with your own hands). The tension is carried out due to the "clamps" (embroidery fabric can be sewn with thread, fastened with buttons and so on). This device for creativity is also from the UK.
Dimensional characteristics
For embroidery with beads and a cross, tapestry frames of different sizes are used depending on the area of the fabric:
- The optimal height of the frame (according to the standard) is 30 centimeters (the approximate distance from the elbow to the person’s wrist), which is quite convenient and comfortable for the hand. If the height of the work will exceed this indicator - the "extra" extreme (above and below) centimeters of the canvas can be wound on the straps.
- There are frames with a height of less than 30 centimeters - for narrower and completely filled with embroidery works.
- The maximum height can reach more than 30 centimeters. Such square devices are used in cases where all the work in height should be on the "working" surface - because of its bulk or other features.
Which frame to choose (model, size, and so on) is up to the master to decide!