lithy: So, a while ago therhumboogie asked me...

So, a while ago therhumboogie asked me how I finish my embroidery hoops. There are various good tutorials on how to do this (like this one, or even this one if you want a padded effect on slightly smaller project), but I’m throwing my hat in the ring here; hopefully it’ll be useful to someone.

This is a fairly quick, simple, no-sew way to finish with a nice folded edge at the back; you’ll need scissors, heavy card (preferably the same colour as your fabric) and glue. I use superglue, because I am super. Or rather because it lasts, dries clear and sticks most materials to most other materials with no bother.

You might want a pen and a tape measure, too. A pot of tea and some Incubus are also helpful.

Right, so…

1. Iron any kinks and wrinkles out of your fabric.

2. Using the inside edge of the inner bit of your hoop as a template, draw a circle on to your card and cut that out. This will be your backing for later. Try and get it as accurate as possible.

3. Frame up your fabric. With both halves of the hoop in place, position it where you want it and progressively tighten the screw, keeping the fabric taut. When you’re satisfied, flip it over.

4. You’re going to leave about 1.5cm of fabric along the edge (or more, if your hoop has a wider edge).

5. Trim the fabric the whole way around, like so…

6. …then carefully snip into this at regular intervals, to form tabs. The smaller the hoop, the smaller the tabs should be. Be careful not to take chunks out of your embroidery hoop at this point.

7. Snip snip snip.

8. Dab a bit of glue (sparingly!) onto the edge of the hoop in front of your first tab and a little on the inside edge. It also helps if you dot a tiny bit on the edge of the fabric, too. Give the glue a few seconds to become slightly tacky. Fold the tab over and stick it down.

9. Glue the tabs the whole way round, slightly overlapping them as you go, to give you a nice, folded edge. Leave the glue to dry for a while. Go bother your pets / spouse / whatever.

10. Pop the disc of card into the back; this should be a really tight, snug fit and will stay in there all by itself, negating the need for gobbing more glue everywhere; it also helps to reinforce the fabric a bit.

Ta-daaaa! You’re done. Go hang it up or something.

x.