Stitches

Should I use the embroidery hoop when stitching on beads?

I'm finishing up a cross-stitching project. All I have left is to put on little beads. Should I use the embroidery hoop to keep the cloth taut like normal? My concern is that the hoop will mess up the beads when it's time to adjust it and move on to a different part of the piece. Thank you!

Public Comments

1. Asking my husband who is an avid cross-stitcher. He says: "I don't like to use a hoop when beading for that very reason. I just sew them on with the fabric loose and I try not to sew too tightly. I don't like long floats of thread across the back so I finish up one group of beads, back stitch to knot the thread, cut it an move on to the next bunch. For straight rows I just try to keep from pulling the thread too tight between beads across the back so the row doesn't become rippled." I hope that made sense as I am not a cross stitcher, but I do like the things he makes and i think they look good.
2. I agree with Linda. Unless you have a hoop that will cover the whole design. It also depends how spaced out the beads are. Where possible I would use the hoop but where it may catch the beads then take the hoop off.