i dont like to do it, it frays the cotton and makes it fluff but thats only my opinion. I do do it sometimes though but i would never leave my work in it
same here. I have one and I used it once but when the design outgrew the hoop, I went out and bought a Q-Snap cause I didnt trust it not to ruin my project :(
It depends on what I am doing. If tension is very important, I use hoops/frames to design size. But I have everything from little to a large quilting frame and a rug hooking frame. I also do it freehand. So be aware when I say hoop here I am also including frames.
I also use hoops with a hoop stand to hold it when I want to double hand stitch. That means very little hand movement. One hand stays above and one below never exchanging. It works wonders for my carpal tunnel / arthritis on bad days. It beats having to stop and shake out my hand every few stitches.
However I follow the basic rules. Have the correct hoop size. When you are done stitching, so is the hoop. It must come off. Wash the hoop when done and before using. It works better for Aida than for Linen. The hoop should WORK. This means if the fabric slips, adjust and if no amount of adjusting works, toss the hoop out. Make sure you prepare the hoop properly for stitching and make sure you dismantle it and clean it properly when done. That means undoing any taping or other things.
If you have marks, you left it in too long. They do happen to the best of us tho. To get rid of them if you arent going to wash the piece simply mist and press. A steam iron also works but be careful when you do so if you think you have bleeders. If it is really bad as in "I forgot about that for 3 months and the frame was on it" You will have to wash, stretch and block. Perhaps repeatedly. I had one that got shoved away during an emergency and it was hooped for a year. It took some work but it came out.
So I do both hoop/frame and hand. Its handy. Sort of like when I use to go in the computer lab at school and walk past all those waiting for a Windows computer and sat down at a Mac. As I told them one day when they were all giving me dirty looks "Im bilingual. I speak Mac and Windows" In this case I speak hand and hoop.
I was just about to post this topic myself as i was curious what way people stiched.
Ive never used a hoop and cant really see the appeal because of the marks it would leave and you would have to keep moving the hoop when the design out grew it.
I usually just hold the fabric and stitch like that it gets a little tedious sometimes i find if i get a cramp in my hand but its part of the fun of stiching i guess.