If you are just starting the wonderful hobby of cross stitching, chances are you have no clue what a Q Snap frame is. I know I didn’t! But now I do and I LOVE them! Most likely you know what a hoop is, but maybe not so I will talk a bit about them first. Here is a cross stitch hoop. These are what I started stitching on.
One disadvantage of using a hoop is that it can leave a crease in the material. That crease is not always easy to get out The best way to avoid this, is to take the hoop off when you are done stitching for the day. As you can see from the picture above, they do come in many different sizes.
Depending on the size of the project you are working on will determine the size hoop you will want to use. Some people love using hoops because they are skinny and easy to hold whereas q snap frames are not quite so easy. But I will point you to a place elsewhere here in my site that gives you a solution to that so just keep on reading.
It took me 20 years to find out about q snap frames! I don’t know how long they have been around, but I wish I had known about them when I first started stitching! Ok, so what is a Q Snap you may be asking? Here is what they look like.
Click here to be taken to another page where I talk more about q snaps and where you will also discover the beauty of the covers you can get for these q snaps and why you should be using those covers.
Q snaps also come in various sizes. The beauty of their design is that you can take standard sizes such as the 8×8 and the 11×11 and make an 8×11. I do not find it very comfortable to work on 11×11, but for some projects the 8×8 is just too small so the 8×11 is the perfect solution!
The other sizes available are 6×6 and 17×17. You can purchase these from Luv 4 Cross Stitch by going to our SHOP page.
The advantage of the q snap is that, unlike the hoops, they will not leave a hard crease in your fabric. Especially if you put a piece of felt or even wax paper between the q snap clamp and your fabric, which also allows for you to remove the clamp more easily.
This is a birth announcement I am working on for a co-worker that just had a baby. As you can see, I am using felt under the clamps.
Ok, so now you know about hoops and q snap frames. So what are scroll rod frames? Here is what they look like.
Scroll rod frames work great for bigger projects. It’s easiest to work on a scroll rod frame if you have a floor stand or lap stand. For my review of a couple floor stands and why I like them, click here. Remember when I said I would mention about a solution on using a q snap frame even though they are thicker than a hoop? You will find that solution on the page I just directed you to.
I personally don’t work too much on scroll rod frames, but a lot of people do and love them. It all comes down to what you are comfortable working on. I know there are some stitchers that don’t use anything and just stitch in hand. I can’t do that because my hands cramp up when trying to stitch and not use any type of frame.
So now you know a little about the different types of frames there are out there. If you try one and find you don’t like it, try another. I am sure you will find the one that is right for you!
Please leave me a comment if you found any of this helpful or have any questions!
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I know a lot of people use these but I can't use a hoop or frame because they hurt my hands.
That is where a floor stand comes in handy! :)
I like just sitting in my chair, feet propped up holding my fabric and stitching.
I adore my q-snaps!!! I have several in various sizes & can’t imagine stitching without one. It did take me several years to discover them and I can see a difference in the quality of my stitching when I didn’t use one because the tension just isn’t the same and my stitches look loose in some places.
Shannon,
I love them too! I also have various sizes too...I love that you can take different ones and make the size that works best for you!
A friend told me about Able Stretcher frames. I've been using one for about a year now and absolutely love it. It keeps my project tight, no need to constantly retighten. It's made of plastic, is light in weight and easy to hold. It's a product from the UK if I remember correctly. There's several places online that carry it. It comes in 4 different sizes, but each size can adjust up to several inches. I absolutely LOVE mine and will never go back to the wooden scroll frames or hoops.
Wendy,
Might have to check that out! Thanks! I do love my q snap frames, but sometimes it's good to try other things as you just never know until you try it, right? :)