How to Finish an Embroidery Hoop

Finishing your embroidery hoop is like adding the final touches to a masterpiece. It not only gives your work a polished, professional finish but also helps protect your stitches and keeps your fabric neat and secure.

Let’s walk through the basics of how to finish an embroidery hoop and get your project ready to show off!

How to Finish an Embroidery Hoop: The Basics

 

1. Choosing the Right Fabric and Hoop Size

The first step in finishing your embroidery hoop is choosing the right fabric! The backing fabric should complement your main fabric in both colour and texture. You’ll also want to pick something sturdy that won’t tear or fray over time—after all, you want your creation to stand the test of time!

Choosing the right hoop size is just as important. It should be big enough to comfortably hold your entire design, with a little extra space around the edges.

If you’re unsure about the size, a good rule of thumb is to leave about an inch of fabric around your design on all sides.

2. Mounting Your Embroidery in the Hoop

Now that you’ve got your fabric and hoop ready, it’s time for the fun part of learning how to finish an embroidery hoop — putting it all together!

First, separate your hoop into two rings. The inner ring is the smaller one, and the outer ring has the screw or fastener. Lay the inner ring on a flat surface, then place your fabric right on top of it. The “pretty” side of your fabric, with all your stitching, should be facing up.

Now, gently place the outer ring over the fabric and inner hoop, making sure everything is lined up nicely. Start tightening the screw, but don’t crank it down all at once! Go slowly, pulling the fabric taut as you go until it’s smooth and tight like a drum.

If you have a hoop stand, this is the perfect time to use it. It’ll hold the hoop steady for you, so you can use both hands to adjust the fabric and get it perfectly positioned.

3. Securing the Back of the Hoop

Now it’s time to finish the back of your embroidery hoop! You can trim the excess fabric close to the hoop, but be careful not to snip any of your stitches. For a more polished finish, you could use fabric glue to secure the edges to the inside of the inner hoop.

Alternatively, you could use a running stitch to gather the fabric edges, creating a neat little bundle at the back of the hoop. This method takes a bit more time, but it adds a lovely handmade touch to your project.

4. Adding a Backing or Finishing Touch

Now that the back of your hoop is looking neat, you might want to add a backing to give your project a more polished finish. You can use a variety of materials for this, like felt, fabric, or even cardboard. A backing not only hides the messy side of your work but also adds an extra layer of protection for your stitches.

To attach the backing, you can use glue, stitching, or a combination of both. Felt is a popular choice because it’s soft, doesn’t fray, and comes in a range of colours to suit your project. If you’re feeling a bit fancy while finishing off the back of your embroidery hoop, you could even add some decorative stitching or embellishments for a little extra flair.

 

 

5.  Finishing Techniques for Display

Congrats! You’ve successfully learned how to finish off an embroidery hoop! Now it’s time to show off your masterpiece. There are plenty of fun ways to display your embroidery hoop, such as:

• Adding a cute ribbon or piece of string to the top for a bit of charm
  
  
• Creating a hoop gallery wall by arranging them in a fun pattern or layout
  
  
• Displaying it on a decorative easel or stand
  
  
• Stitching it onto a tote bag or cushion
  
  

However you choose to show it off, your finished hoop is sure to make a beautiful statement!

Additional Tips

Steam or Press the Embroidery

After all your hard work, you’ll want your embroidery to look its best, right? A quick and easy way to do this is by giving it a light steam or a gentle press to smooth out any wrinkles and make your stitches look even neater.

Just be sure to use a low heat setting and a pressing cloth to protect your delicate threads.

Use a Stabiliser

Without a stabiliser, your fabric might stretch or shift, and your stitches could end up all over the place! Cutaway stabiliser stays in place after stitching, giving your design a sturdy base, while tearaway stabiliser can be easily removed once you're finished.

Secure with Tape

If your fabric is being a bit tricky and won’t stay put in the hoop, don’t stress! A bit of masking tape or painter’s tape can be a real lifesaver. Just stick it around the edges of your fabric to keep it securely in place while you’re stitching.

Trim Excess Fabric Carefully

Once your masterpiece is finished, you’ll likely have some extra fabric sticking out around the edges of your hoop.

Take your time and carefully trim the excess fabric as close to the hoop as possible without snipping your precious stitches. This will give your finished hoop a neat and polished look.

Finish with a Backing

Felt is a popular option because it’s soft, comes in a rainbow of colours, and doesn’t fray, so you won’t have to worry about messy edges.

You can also use fabric scraps or even a sturdy piece of cardboard if you want to add a bit more structure to your hoop.

Whatever material you choose, just cut it to the size of your hoop and attach it to the back using glue or stitching. If you’re using fabric, feel free to get creative and add a decorative stitch around the edge for a little extra flair.

Add Embellishments

You can embellish your hoop in various ways to give it that extra wow factor. Try adding…

• Colourful beads
  
  
• Sparkling sequins
  
  
• Funky buttons
  
  
• Fabric markers or paint to add fun details or patterns

Use Fray Check or Fabric Glue

One of the most frustrating things about working with fabric is its tendency to fray. But don’t let those little loose threads dampen your embroidery enthusiasm!

A bit of Fray Check or fabric glue can work wonders in preventing your fabric edges from unraveling. Just dab a small amount along the edges of your fabric, and you’re all set!

Add a Hanging Mechanism

Tie a ribbon or piece of string to the top of the hoop and hang it on a nail or hook. If you want something a bit more secure, you can attach a sawtooth hanger to the back of the hoop. For a more rustic look, try using a piece of twine or leather cord to create a hanging loop.

Start Your Embroidery Journey Right with Ricoma!

Now that you’re a pro with the hoop and ready to tackle any project, why not elevate your creations with the best tools available? Starting your embroidery business should be fun and exciting.