Stitches

Is there a way to use the embroidery hoop without out damaging the fabric?

I am cross stitching on a 13"x17" piece of aida cloth, is it possible to use an embroidery hoop without damaging the cloth? Is there a way to get rid of the rings it makes in the cloth? Is there something I can use to hold the fabric besides the embroidery hoop? I have never heard of using a magnetic board. How does that work?

Public Comments

1. I usually use my magnetic board (a simple metal "plate" with magnetic strips placed so that the fabric is in between the board and the magnets) instead of a hoop when making my x-stitch items, the magnetic strips I put on the fabric keep the fabric on place without making any marks in the aida. If you have to use the hoop, you can gently iron out the rings once you have finished stitching.
2. A glance at this article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aida_cloth makes it clear that my limited experience is true - embroidery hoops are used with thin fabric to keep it taut enough to work and the heavy aida cloth is not intended to be pushed into the sharp curves of the hoop. Whether holding it on the common magnet boards for patterns will work for you is another question.
3. there is a device for stretching fabric that uses rollers to hold it, though that might not come small enough for you.
4. Q-snaps! You can see what they are here, www.qsnap.com and buy them at needlework stores for sure, possibly at the chain craft stores. The q-snaps don't leave marks in your fabric and are available in a number of mix-and-match sizes, from 6x6 to 20x20. I like using the 8x8 and 11x11 sizes.
5. When you need to move your hoop try to avoid the putting it over the stitches where possible. I bind my hoops with fabric to avoid any marks left by the wood. If you leave your stitching for some time take the hoop off the fabric. When completed most cross stitch you can give a gentle warm wash in soap flakes. Whatever you do test it first. No point in ruining something you have spent so much time on.
6. Q snaps are the way to go. They don't damage the fabric.