How to frame cross stitch in an embroidery hoop

[@Ashley__Rose]

This sounds like you recorded on a 1992 Sony camcorder and I’m here for it

[@peacockandfig]

Nope, my cellphone, a very small apartment doesn't leave a lot of space for bigger gear. 😊

[@mariabashford3230]

A very helpful and easy to understand tutorial! Thank you so much- I've been stitching for about 60 years and have never managed to finish a hooped piece so easily. A whole new world is opening ! Thanks again from Australia

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome Maria! And I'm half Kiwi, g'dayyyyyyyy eh 😊

[@janiceekarr]

Just binge-watched many of your beginner videos (wild and crazy Saturday night here lol). So nice to have everything in one place to learn. Thank you!!

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Janice! 🙂

[@eeeeeerika]

I had a couple of projects I was too intimidated to finish, but you made it so easy! Thank you so much for this amazing video!

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Erika! :D

[@LadyBelgara]

Great tutorial - it's how I'm finishing my little 2020 dumpster fire cross stitch gifts. Very clear and easy.

[@peacockandfig]

Awesome, glad it helped! 😊

[@distortedgalaxies7365]

Hands down the best backing (embroidery) tutorial i’ve seen! Thank you very much

[@peacockandfig]

Awesome, so glad it helped! 🙂

[@patriciadickneider5699]

What a wonderful way to frame your embroidery in a hoop. Thank you so much.

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Patricia! 😊

[@melaniekratz7593]

Thank you for this, I'm making a nativity scene cross-stitch for my grandma for Christmas and this is very helpful!

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome Melanie! 🙂

[@theresatychostup6057]

Thanks for this tutorial. Just what I needed to finish my Madonna and Child cross stitch. Can't wait to give as gifts this Christmas.

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it helped Theresa! 😊

[@neasabarrett4961]

This is the best tutoria I have seen and so easy. I gathered the back of mine with a running stitch and was very happy with the result. It took no time at all. Thank you so much!

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome Neasa, glad it was helpful! 🙂

[@neasabarrett4961]

@@peacockandfig It was fantastic. I do a lot of cross stitch and I aways either get framed by a professional or frame myself. This is the first time I tried displaying it in a differet way, and boy was I deighted with the result. Thanks again. Neasa

[@hyde1885]

Thank you SO MUCH for this! I've been making cross stitch for awhile but had no idea how to finish them for hanging! This is great!

[@peacockandfig]

So glad you found it helpful! 😊

[@LanaTheLion]

Can't wait to display some of my cross stitchs like this 🥰

[@peacockandfig]

Awesome, have fun with it Lana! 😊

[@ashadhunnoo2249]

Really helpful instructional video-I was v cautious about tackling this but it was a present for my friends 50th so forced my hand to give it a go,having never sewn in my life. Looks really good and given confidence to frame rest of my projects.

[@peacockandfig]

Awesome, so glad it helped Asha! Hope your friend loves her present! 😊

[@Simpletonindeed]

Im a kid who had to work on a few small crossstitch patterns for Girl Scouts and I’ve just decided that I want to make my grandparents a crossstich Christmas gift (lol) My grandmother showed me how and I wanted to thank her. This will definitely be helpful in pulling it all together in the end :) thanks

[@peacockandfig]

Sounds great, so glad my tutorial will help with your gift! 😊

[@melissajenkins9960]

I’m going to use this technique for a Christmas gift, thank you!

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome! Merry Christmas! 😁

[@steveschoonover7246]

This is actually Ann Schoonover using my husband’s email! I finished my cross stitch project using your method and loved the results. I am using 3” hoops for the designs I stitched and plan on using these to attach to Christmas presents. I also made some for Halloween. So easy and they look great with the felt backing and blanket stitch. Easy to follow video. Thank you so much!

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome Ann, glad it was helpful! 😊❤️

[@steveschoonover7246]

Looking forward to trying this method of finishing. Love the look of this finished back; so clean and professional. Thank you.

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Steve! And it makes them way more secure to ship too, in case you want to send a present to someone. 😊

[@samanthapatton7823]

Super helpful and looks way better than the glue method. Thank you!

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Samantha! 🙂

[@hannahpatellis]

This is so tremendously helpful! I had seen a few other tutorials before but this one made perfect sense. Thank you!

[@peacockandfig]

Awesome, so glad you found it helpful Hannah! 🙂

[@lily99654]

First time I've finished an embroidery piece in a hoop and your tutorial was perfect! (I like that there's not a lot of excess chit chat). Only thing I did different was to pin the felt on before I did the blanket stitch. It worked nicely. Thank you so much! Will look at your other videos now.

[@peacockandfig]

Awesome, glad that helped Lily! And yep, pinning is totally fine too, I often do that myself depending on how many hoops I'm doing at once. 😊

[@Vireena]

Extremely happy to have found your video. My backing isn't perfect but perfect enough. First time i got it done and it's so easy once you know. So thank you and I'm definitely going to check out what you've made since, because this is already 5 years old ❤️

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome, glad it was helpful! 😊

[@MrsShmo]

Very nice technique. I'll be using this helpful tutorial. Thank you.

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Sheri! 😊

[@janemcquaide4077]

Thank you. Nice and easy to follow your instructions for a neat and tidy job.

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it was helpful Jane! 🙂

[@alewiina]

Thank you SO much for this. I am faced with backing a piece I made for my partner for Christmas and I've never done this before so this video was an enormous help!! Thank you

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome Dani! Merry Christmas! 🙂

[@alewiina]

@@peacockandfig Merry Christmas to you too!! I just finished backing the piece and it looks awesome! :D Thanks again!

[@awesomeness0005]

this is super helpful! I have been struggling with this on my own for like an hour XD

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@kellykunkel120]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. It is so detailed and helpful. I also much prefer the blanket stitch to glue and love how you finished off the hidden tail of the thread.

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Kelly, glad the tutorial was helpful! 🙂

[@elen2928]

Thank you for this tutorial! With this I could finally finish my embroidery :) will be using this method with all my future hoop projects

[@peacockandfig]

So glad it helped Elen! 😊❤️

[@rosellabeads]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! This is the neatest way to frame and back a hoop I've seen. I've just tried it and it worked so well, thanks again!

[@peacockandfig]

Hahaha you're very welcome Catherine, I'm so glad it worked out for you! Feel free to tag me @peacockandfig on Twitter or Instagram to show me your project (or post on the Peacock & Fig Facebook page). I'd love to see your project! :)

[@hklaugh]

This was so helpful!! Thank you so much! This is the first time I've successfully finished a cross stitch project, so excited to hang it! Looks great, love the video, THANK YOU!

[@peacockandfig]

Awww you're so welcome Heather! Glad it was helpful, congrats on your finish! 😍😁

[@amieemorgan4247]

Amazing, thank you so much! You helped me finish my first project gift :)

[@peacockandfig]

Awesome! Glad to help Amiee! 😁

[@natashamayo6350]

This was so incredibly helpful and easy to follow, thank you so much!

[@peacockandfig]

You're so welcome Natasha! 🙂

[@saracornish7575]

Thank you, my daughter got one of these. And we had no idea even how the frame went on or nothing. It told us nothing. Smh thanks again for the video. You were a big help

[@peacockandfig]

Glad I could help Sara! ❤️

[@Danielle-pk7lt]

Was looking for a way without using glue. Very useful! Thank you!

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Danielle! Glad it helped! 🙂

[@jessicacolas9026]

Thanks for this video, it was exactly what I was looking for! 🙏🙏🙏

[@peacockandfig]

Awesome, glad it helped Jessica! 😊

[@sylviasanchez684]

Making a wedding gift for friends, your tutorial is exactly what I needed. Great point about not using glue! Thank you!!

[@peacockandfig]

Ahahaha awesome, glad it helped Sylvia! I also have used that tip for several wedding gifts, it works like a charm. 🙂

[@joannahobbs6156]

Such a fabulous video on how to back a hoop. I bought some felt and just done it on a project that's going to be a gift for a friend - it's not as neat as yours but still looks GREAT. So pleased I didn't use glue. Thank you!

[@peacockandfig]

So glad you found it helpful Joanna! 🙂

[@mikedestefano7729]

Super helpful!

[@peacockandfig]

Glad you enjoyed it Mike! 😊

[@cclittle24]

Thank you 🙏🏼 this video is super helpful (**saves video**)

[@peacockandfig]

Awesome, glad you found it helpful CC! 🙂

[@muhammadarsalan6200]

Amazing video

[@peacockandfig]

Glad you enjoyed it Muhammad! :)

[@marymorgan3069]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you.

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it helped Mary! 😊

[@marietteforget7804]

Hi and thank you very much! Your tutorial is very helpful! Have a great day! 😎🌸

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it was helpful for you Mariette! 🙂

[@tatyannaemery6224]

This was a great help!

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it was helpful Tatyanna! 😊

[@erins3581]

Thanks for the video! Simple and easy to follow 😄

[@peacockandfig]

Haha you're very welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@OlyaOlechka]

love it. I did use a clue on my recent work. but I am ab. 80% finished with my current work I WILL try this technique :-) thanks a lot

[@peacockandfig]

Haha you're welcome, and good luck! Feel free to post an image of your framing job on any of my social media, I'm @peacockandfig on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! I'd love to see it! :) Dana

[@Ruffmart78]

Thanks for your tutorial. It was very easy. I did prefer to stitch all away around to gather the fabric though before putting the felt on.

[@peacockandfig]

Glad the tutorial was helpful Cynthia! :)

[@valeried8542]

Exactly what I needed to finish the backing with a blanket stitch 🙂 I wonder what to do if I run out of thread and have to stop and start again?

[@peacockandfig]

I can't remember if I show you in the tutorial or not Valerie, you'd just knot off your thread when it's getting too short -- like where you come up vertically to catch the stitch horizontally, right there anchor your thread so it holds the horizontal stitch in place. You'd basically do a small knot over that junction of the vertical and horizontal sections, that will hold everything in place. Bury the end of the thread inside the felt or pull it inside the hoop, and then start a new thread. You'd do that from the underside of the felt, just where you knotted off the last thread you can come up from the underside next to your last stitch and then keep going. You can come up on the "inside" of the corner of the last vertical and horizontal stitch, and then continue with the horizontal carrying motion before the vertical catching stitch -- that way if you look at the stitching, other than maybe a slightly visible knot at the junction of where the vertical and horizontal stitches met when you changed your thread, it will all look like one continuous stitch. Hope that makes sense! 🙂

[@valeried8542]

@@peacockandfig Thanks for replying 💜 that makes sense :)

[@Unrealcam92]

Very helpful video! Thanks

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Cam! 😊

[@CherienoOnah]

Perfect. Thank you so much!

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome! 😊

[@wendybeard5557]

Awesome tutorial! Thanks!!

[@peacockandfig]

Glad you enjoyed it Wendy! 😊

[@jhill662]

That is a Great! Thank you for doing that tutorial. I would never thought to do something like that.

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Joanne! That's how I frame all my patterns now, it's cheap and easy. 🙂

[@shelbybennett54]

Thanks for this, I had a mental note to try to find instructions on how to do this and then your timely post came up in the Subversive group :)

[@peacockandfig]

Ahahahah perfect timing then eh Shelby! :D Glad it helped! :)

[@susanbee614]

Thank you so much for this. 😀

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome! 🙂

[@tanyaraymond2782]

Thanks. This will help me in one of my projects

[@peacockandfig]

Haha you're welcome Tanya! Have fun with it! :)

[@zartgallery8496]

Great tutorial.. thank you so much

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it was helpful! 🙂

[@giiliamontesi6362]

Cool stuff. Don't know if I'm capable of doing this but I wanna try

[@peacockandfig]

Giilia Montesi Hahaha sure you are, after ten minutes you'll be a pro. 😊

[@danellehuntington2842]

This was a great tutorial! I had never done this before, but was able to follow your video and do it pretty well (if I do say so myself). One suggestion would be just a little more information when doing things, such as making the first stitch for the spider web cinching, or when starting the blanket stitch. I had my thread pull out the first couple times I tried, but after a few attempts and studying what you did quickly I was able to get it. Thank you!

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it helped Danelle! Sorry you had a few issues at the start, at least you got there in the end! 💕

[@sewwithnasrii3651]

what kind of fabric is this pleace replay......🙏

[@breezie0355]

Which fabric, the stitched fabric or the backing? The stitched fabric is 14 count Aida if memory serves, and the backing fabric is felt. 😊

[@sewwithnasrii3651]

Thanks a lot

[@maisoonmoon5418]

Thank you ,very helpful

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it was helpful! 🙂

[@mimiphampdx]

That was super helpful! Thank you!

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Mimi! 🙂

[@daniellesandler6970]

Hi! Would it be ok to use fabric as a backing instead of felt? Thanks!

[@peacockandfig]

You can, it's just that felt doesn't fray when you cut it, and hemming fabric in a circle is very difficult (and stitching through a hem would be be harder than just one layer of felt). If you want to, give it a shot 😊

[@ИринаБойцова-э7я]

It is so interesting, thanks

[@peacockandfig]

Welcome! 😊

[@anngutierrez5844]

Great Class! Thank you Dana...

[@peacockandfig]

Thanks Ann! 🙂

[@seleneyue]

How would you approach this method with a rectangular hoop? I feel like I need some help, it isn't turning out will for me

[@peacockandfig]

The same way, it might be easier to do each edge separately rather than go around the corners so to speak if that makes sense. As long as your felt is cut to the same shape as the hoop then it should work fine. 😊

[@seleneyue]

@@peacockandfig thanks for the reply. Right now I just have my edges folded over and I can't pull them tight like with the circular hoops tho, is there a fix for that or just hope for the best?

[@PeggyV69]

Thank you! How many threads did you use in the blanket stitch?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Peggy! I can't remember how many I used in the video, but I've used both one and two strands of sewing thread for this type of project, and both worked out equally well. If your sewing thread isn't so strong, I'd use two strands. 🙂

[@alexandratarlton2479]

Thank you so much for this!!! Potentially dumb question: how do you finish off the “dream catcher” stitches so they stay put before felting?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Alexandra! You can just do a few short stitches in place (especially if you're not cutting the thread before starting to stitch the felt), or tie off the thread with a knot. 🙂

[@majidhanasarin5592]

Very helpfull. Thankyou

[@peacockandfig]

You're welcome Majidha! 🙂

[@jennyditto1266]

Thank you so much for all of your help but I am very much a new beginner to all of this and the hardest part for me was startling and stopping on the back when you are cross crossing the floss thru the Aida fabric to get your piece to lay down. Could you please show in more detail what you are doing with the floss when you run out and have to start up again? I’m very unfamiliar with how to do that, like how to tie your thread off?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Jenny! The easiest thing is to just run your needle under a few nearby stitches a few times, then cut your thread -- that will anchor your thread so you can start a new thread or a new colour. 🙂

[@arshiazainab415]

Can i use this method for my hoops or anything that I'm going to sell

[@peacockandfig]

Absolutely, just make sure to use felt or some other fabric that won't fray (as you don't want raw edges showing, that doesn't look as professional for work that's going to be sold). 😊

[@arshiazainab415]

@peacockandfig thankyou ❤️

[@Chloexenazack]

How many strands of floss do you use when sewing it onto the hoop?

[@peacockandfig]

I usually use two strands of sewing thread, then it's going to be strong enough to hold your stitching fabric back under tension. 😊

[@Chloexenazack]

@@peacockandfig thank you!

[@KimofCoventry]

Awesome. So helpful!

[@peacockandfig]

Great, glad it helped Kim! 🙂

[@shelbybennett54]

Dumb question - at 4:43 have you knotted your thread when you're sewing all the edges together (what will be hidden)? I guess it doesn't matter since it will be hidden by the felt? Thanks!

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yes I did knot it Shelby, I just made sure it was hidden under the felt and was far enough back from the edge that the ends wouldn't show. :)

[@hannahhenkel4012]

Hi! Do people have issues with floss showing with only one piece of felt?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Hannah! I'm not quite sure what you mean, do you mean does the floss from the front show through to the back? It shouldn't, there's distance between them and when you hang the project, no one is going to be holding the project up to the light to see if they can see through it. Two layers of felt might be a lot harder to work and keep flat and your stitches even, but you could try if you want. 🙂

[@paigemccredie3789]

When I go to place the larger hoop on top, it bunches up at the top. How do I fix this?

[@peacockandfig]

I'm not sure what you mean Paige, maybe you need to open the hoop wider with the screw (if your fabric is really thick, you might not be able to hoop it at all without the screw being completely open). 😊

[@akeira405]

Can we use something other than felt? Like maybe a quilting fabric instead?

[@peacockandfig]

You can Staci, except other fabrics will fray when you cut them, and hemming fabric into a circle would be very hard. You'd also have to stitch through a thick hem which would be a lot more difficult than a thin layer of felt. Fleece would also work as it doesn't fray when you cut it. 😊

[@shana77stitches44]

Great demonstration, thank you so much!!! I was wondering how do you dust your ffo's? Video video 😊

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Shana! I actually don't really dust them -- the few I do have hung up are under glass, but I have so much art in my place I don't really have space to hang new pieces. What I'm likely going to do is put my stitched pattern samples into an art folio book, they have plastic sleeves and I can slip each piece into that to help protect them. And the few pieces I do have out are things like my scissor keeper, my pin cushion, etc that were part of my last collection. Those I'm using all the time, so they never get a chance to get dust on them. :)

[@shana77stitches44]

Thanks Dana, I stitch for the love of it, not just for decorating the home. I really like your binder of finishes. 😊

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yeah I can't think of anything else to do with them, my apartment is tiny but I'm going to keep on designing and keep on stitching. Especially the collection I just released this week, gotta protect those samples. They're hilarious. :D

[@shana77stitches44]

Now I've got to look at the released patterns :D

[@peacockandfig]

Ahahahah yeah, they've just exploded with popularity, they're really striking a chord with people (especially the Miserable Cow). :D

[@deliamarianetti7052]

Super helpful thankyou!

[@peacockandfig]

You're so welcome Delia! 🙂

[@SimpLeeBeth]

Great explanation! Thanks!!! 💗xo

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome! :)

[@chelseacardy9747]

Hi there, I have been reading a lot about doing a wall mount cross stitch as a gift and to use Washi tape as a fastener/decoration. I have never used this and I kind of wanted to see it in action and wasn't sure if you had done something like this before? Thanks!

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Chelsea, thanks for your question! I've actually never seen wall mount cross stitch, it sounds interesting though! I wouldn't use washi tape (or any tape) unless it's from an art store and it's acid free. The reason is most tapes are really bad for any kind of art or fabric, the glues will yellow and start to deteriorate what they're stuck to. So if you can find acid free tape, go for it. 🙂

[@chelseacardy9747]

Peacock & Fig - Thank you!!

[@tristansmith3000]

Hi, thank you for this video! I do have a question: do you have to use felt for the backing fabric? All of the tutorials I've found have said to use a piece of felt, but I have a bunch of excess fabric lying around that I'd like to use. Is there something special about the felt that I should know about? Is it worth it to go out and buy the felt to use instead of using other fabric? Thank you!

[@peacockandfig]

Hi there Tristan! Yep, the reason all the tutorials say to use felt is because you can cut it into a circle and not need to finish the edges. Any other fabric will fray without hemming (other than fleece), so trying to hem a circle is a giant pain and easily can look uneven and wonky. Plus it would take a ton more time to do. You could try ironing on a thick interfacing to your other fabric then cutting it to see if it doesn't fray, but you're still going to likely have to go out to buy the interfacing. Hope that makes sense! 😊

[@tristansmith3000]

It does make sense! Thank you for taking the time to reply. Your videos are really useful and I appreciate the information.

[@carolwarlick4997]

@@peacockandfig Did you use wool or polyester felt?

[@gabrieladosanjos2204]

Hi, can you make a tutorial on how to hang the hoops if they are the plain wood ones without the nail at the top? I've seen some people sewing ribbons hoops, but I have no idea how to do it. Thanks for the video, it was very useful!

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Gabriela, thanks for your comment! I've never actually seen an embroidery hoop that doesn't have the clasp at the top -- that's how you open it to insert your fabric. So for the ones like I show in the tutorial, you can just put a loop of ribbon around the clasp and you can hang it from that (or hang it directly from the clasp with a small nail in the wall). I wouldn't be able to do a tutorial on one without the clasp, I've never seen them in any of the shops so I'd have nothing to demonstrate with. 🙂

[@gabrieladosanjos2204]

Peacock & Fig Here in Brazil, I've never seen wood ones with clasps. I saw plastic ones in a store once but they seem kind of ugly, and I never saw any like those anywhere else *shrugs*

[@peacockandfig]

Yeah I'm not sure Gabriela, I don't even understand how you'd use a hoop that didn't have clasps, how you'd get the fabric in and out. In North America and Europe, they all have the clasps on them, and a lot of the ones sold in North America are made in China. Sorry I can't help!

[@mariyaantony7020]

Could u plz tell me the material used to cover the hoop?

[@peacockandfig]

It's felt Mariya. 🙂

[@deniseyoung8157]

Fantastic really helpful👏🌟🌈

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it was helpful Denise! 🙂

[@thedark1892]

Very good

[@peacockandfig]

Glad you found it helpful! 🙂

[@amberarmstrong4302]

hey wow this is a great video!

[@peacockandfig]

Glad you enjoyed it Amber! 🙂

[@awkodt]

thank you!

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome! 😊

[@paulalima4255]

Will use your great idea!

[@peacockandfig]

Great, have fun with it Paula! That's how I frame up all my sample patterns when they get sent around to various needlework tradeshows and shops. :)

[@paulalima4255]

Sorry to bother you but I have a doubt. Here in Lisbon (Portugal), the shop I go to has two types of felt, one stiffer, one softer (at least it was the case for some red and asome green I bought a couple of years ago). The stiffer will be better for this?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Paula! I'd probably go with the stiffer, as the felt can be put under some tension when you're stitching around the edges (it's helping hold the fabric taut in the hoop). So the stiffer probably will be more durable and easier to work with in the long run. 🙂

[@natsumeyuujinchou16]

How do you cover the front of the cross stitch?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Natsume! I'm not sure what you mean -- why would you want to cover the front of the cross stitch? 🙂

[@natsumeyuujinchou16]

Peacock & Fig to protect it from dust. Can you put a plastic cover on the front?

[@peacockandfig]

Ahaha ok, gotcha. No, that would make the stitching look terrible, you wouldn't be able to clearly see all your hard work. You could just carefully dust it. Or frame it without the hoop in a normal picture frame, under glass. :)

[@natsumeyuujinchou16]

Thank you for your advice! :)

[@peacockandfig]

You're welcome Natsume! :)

[@Costume_CO]

Great tutorial, thank you so much. Just wondering how to press fabric before framing in hoop? Also, does the felt have to be white? Thanks.

[@peacockandfig]

Hi there, thanks for your question! No, the felt doesn't have to be white, it can be any colour you like. You can use any colour thread you like too. :) And I wash my pieces when they're done and iron them when they're still damp, you should always wash when you're finished as there are always going to be oils from your hands in the fabric and floss. Here's the link how to do the washing, and there are a few tips for ironing in there as well -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4XHd4aolrVkoK8. If you have metallic floss, be careful to not use too hot of an iron, and you may want to put a tea towel or pillowcase between the metallics and the iron (so the iron doesn't touch it directly). It's usually fine, but some metallics can be more fragile than others. :)

[@Costume_CO]

Thank you so much for your quick response! I'm new to embroidery and I didn't know that I needed to wash before framing. Okay, I will make sure to follow the instructions! Cheers, Heidi.

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Heidi! Let me know if you have any other questions. :)

[@phxgidget]

Did I miss something? So you measure around the outside of the smaller hoop, but actually only end up using the larger part of the hoop?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi there! No, the inner hoop is inside, and the outer hoop is what you can still see when it's done. The inner hoop is what gets covered when you either stitch back and forth across the excess fabric to pull it tight, or you can stitch it around in a circle and cinch it tight (then put the felt circle over top. The felt circle is the same size as the inner hoop only. :)

[@ndaynan]

What kind of material did you embroider on? Thanks for the video!

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Dayna! That's just 14 count Aida, I'm pretty sure I used Zweigart Aida for that piece (it's nice and soft). 🙂

[@madeliner1682]

"I'm not one of those people who completely freaks out if something isn't absolutely perfect in an area where it's not going to be seen" bruh why you callin' me out like this

[@peacockandfig]

Hahaha #sorrynotsorry ... 😂

[@mfonthome1]

Very helpful! Saving. What size needle (and what brand?) I am always looking for a good needle. How many strands of floss?.

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Miranda! What size and brand of needle is really personal choice, everyone has different tastes. For 14 count Aida, you could use a size 24 or 26 tapestry needle, and usually two strands of floss. If you look through my channel, you'll see I have a tutorial just on cross stitch needles, so you can see what options you have. 🙂

[@g2mommy1]

Hi Dana. I'm a long time self taught stitcher so I'm always learning something watching your videos. But, as a question: how do you mount the fabric itself into the hoop without it bunching up because you're putting a flat square fabric into a three dimensional round frame? Any tips or tidbits would be hugely appreciated!

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Crystal! I'm not sure what you mean, the fabric is flat in the hoop from the front, then you trim and gather up the rest of the fabric in the back and stitch it down before covering it with the felt and stitching that on. You can either do a spider web-type thing pulling all the ends of the fabric on the back together, or go around in a circle about an inch from the inside edge of the hoop with a gathering stitch. As long as you have trimmed enough of the fabric away, none of the gathered fabric should touch the front side of the hooped piece. Is that what you mean?

[@g2mommy1]

@@peacockandfig Essentially. I just have a hard time getting the fabric flat in a hoop because it seems to have a tendency to pinch a little when I tighten the outer hoop. Thanks for the tip.

[@sarahromero2967]

Great video thanks a LOT !!! :D

[@peacockandfig]

You're welcome Sarah! 🙂

[@alyssah4754]

Thanks for this!! The back of my embroidery hoops always look disgraceful 🤣

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome! And don't worry about the backs too much, people who say your backs have to be perfect are people who don't have anything better to do with their time... 😂 I do have another video in my channel too about why not to worry about the backs, that belief is a hangover from the Victorian era (unless you're stitching onto something translucent, wearable, etc). 😊

[@christineweber1105]

Thanks for doing this tutorial! One question... how many strands of floss did you use?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Christine! I didn't use floss, I used sewing thread, and I think I was using one strand. 🙂

[@theresatychostup6057]

@@peacockandfig Can you use floss. What do you mean by sewing thread. I found felt that if peel and stick. Thinking of using that. What do you think.

[@BernieLovesSomi]

Thank you for making this. I think I can actually do it. Haha. :)

[@peacockandfig]

You absolutely can do it Danielle! 😀

[@asiancat100]

Does the wood on the hoop have to be covered with anything so that it doesn't degrade the fabric over time? I think wood is not naturally acid-free.

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Naomi! I've never heard of anything that says the wood needs to be covered, and it's a natural fibre so I can't imagine it's any more likely to deteriorate quicker than the fibres of the fabric themselves. What I have seen is the metal clasps (or metal hoops) damaging the fabric if they touch the fabric, they'll start to corrode over time and leave nasty stains on the fabric. You could always paint the hoop with acrylic paint before framing it, acrylic is often used as the primer for fabric canvases before oil paint is applied (which will deteriorate the fabric very quickly if it's not primed). Hope that helps! 🙂

[@woebetideme]

Two quick questions: How many threads do you use for this? And when I'm stitching the felt and run out of thread do you just knot it to keep it in place? Thanks for any info

[@peacockandfig]

I usually use one strand for stitching on the felt, and yes, just tie off with a knot, hide the end of your thread inside the hoop, and then start with a new strand of thread. :)

[@ghalam1246]

Thanks 😢💘

[@peacockandfig]

You're welcome Ghala! Happy stitching! 🙂