Inside: Giving you tips to help your embroidery: using a cross stitch scroll frame. How, why, and what it is. *Hint, this will help you a lot!
After I get the basics down on a new skill, I start to wonder what else I can do and what tools I can use to make it an easier process. Maybe I’m not even looking to make it easier but to take out some of the more tedious aspects of the process. An example of this being the securing process.
Whether you use a snap or a hoop, you’ve probably had some complaints with how it goes. I know I have a hard time getting the tension just right and I lose my patience before I even get started trying to stitch.
If you’re in the same boat, the cross stick scroll frame might be just what you need to get it right. We’ll get the obvious out of the way now… There are of course flaws with this method too, but nothing that can’t be easily solved with a little practice and a few extra tricks.
Different Frames For Stitching And Embroidering
What are all of the most common frames to use when stitching? What even is a frame? If you’re looking into all of the tools you need to get started, welcome! There are some that are pretty standard and some that people tend to find that they like better after working on these kinds of projects for a long time.
You may settle on one now and eventually find that you need something different. Your preferences and your best practices will evolve and develop over time as you see what you like and don’t about certain things and what your pet peeves are that you need to work out. It’s all a work in progress, and that’s what keeps it exciting over a long period of time.
There are a few common types of frames that help you keep your fabric at the correct tension for stitching and hold your project in place for you.
Embroidery most commonly uses a classic hoop, while cross stitching uses a snap frame. These are both the most common for a reason. They’re great tools! But ultimately, if your fabric needs adjusting you have to undo the whole thing and redo it.
That’s why I started looking into other options and found the cross stitch scroll frame and fell in love! When your fabric needs to be tightened, you simply pull the scroll dowels further apart.
You don’t have to detach the fabric from the frame to readjust, and that just feels a hundred times more manageable than the other forms.
For me personally. It’s going to be different for everyone.
A benefit to using a hoop is that they make really cute display frames when you’re done! Cut the excess fabric off around the circle and it’s so cute to hang as is! Now, if you don’t love using a hoop to stitch, you can always just put it in one for display when you’re done! You don’t have to have stitched on it to hang it that way.
Hoops do leave a crease on the fabric, so depending on how you plan to use it, that might cause a little bit of an issue with the end product. This isn’t a problem for every piece, but it’s also not something I notice with the stitch scroll frame!
If you think some of these factors will make a difference to you and your stitching, you might need to try a stitch scroll frame for your future projects.
Displaying Embroidery
A quick note on embroidery displays, since it plays a part in which frames you use. There are too many creative ways to display your embroidery.
I collected a few ideas just for you to get an idea of how you might be using what you make if you aren’t simply wearing it on a sweatshirt or piece of denim.
Framing, putting on pillows, hanging in the hoop, there are so many options, here are a few. You might like some of these and use the different ideas to help you decide the best way to stitch it to start a little bit better of a process.
1. Studio Wall
2. Home Pillows
3. Framed
What Exactly Is A Stitch Scroll Frame
Essentially, there isn’t anything relatively new on the market, but in the grand scheme of how long people have been stitching, sewing, and embroidering, these are a newer invention to fix a few kinks.
It’s a different way of attaching your fabric to a frame and pulling it to the correct tension. I prefer this method, as there’s less pulling and tugging and adjusting. There are still some tedious fixes that need to be made, but there never won’t be. That’s just the downside to this hobby.
These stitch scroll frames were patented in the 1990’s, and people have had a love-hate relationship with them since then.
There are a ton of different styles and forms that these come in, you’ll always be able to find one that works for you. It might be trial and error, but later on I’ll show you the best ones I think you should invest in!
How To Use A Cross Stitch Scroll Frame
Using a stitch scroll frame is simple once you get the hang of it.
They’re all set up a little differently, but essentially they’re made to set the fabric on it like a scroll that you just pull the poles apart to tighten the fabric.
This is easier to maneuver than regular hoops and frames because you have to remove pieces of the frame to pull the fabric tight again. And that is not what I want to be doing in the middle of a project.
It’s easier to put together and easier to hold, but the scroll frame holds it all for you. It just depends on your preference for your setup while stitching!
Many that are super familiar with the stitch scroll frame mention using plastic clips to keep it from slipping as much as it does. So take it from the pro’s! If they use the stitch scroll frames and use clips to make it stay, then I would follow their lead.
My Recommendations
There are a ton of different cross stitch scroll frame options on the market, and a ton to choose from with great reviews. Since they’re all so different, it’s going to be a little bit more than just reading the best reviews, you need to think through the way it’s set up to see if it’s the one that works best for you.
Here are a few options I’ve tried and really like:
1. Simple Frame
2. Webbing Version
3. Scroll Frame
4. Hands Free
5. Embroidery Frame
While embroidery and stitching hobbies have been around forever, there are always going to be new tactics and tools to make it a little more enjoyable. After all, hobbies should be enjoyable. There are always parts we don’t like or pieces that are a little too tedious for sure, but overall this should be a fun way to pass time instead of dreading it because your frame gives you trouble!
I think if this is a big issue for you when you sit down to embroider and stitch that this stitch scroll frame is a potentially good solution for you.
As you’re practicing and building your skills, try out these cool leaf embroidery patterns!
I’m Victoria Hudgins and I believe in learning embroidery to express all the fun and joy that is within you. With the right instruction you can be sure your next threaded project is one you’ll love to keep or gift.