How to Recycle Wooden Embroidery Hoops
Wooden embroidery hoops are versatile craft supplies. When you are finished using them to hold your embroidery in place, recycle the hoop to frame your needlework. To expand on this project, create several themed pieces of embroidery framed in embroidery hoops and hang them in a symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangement on the wall, depending on the theme of the embroidery and the look you want to achieve. Symmetrical arrangements lend a more formal air to a room while asymmetrical arrangements look more whimsical and casual.
Things You'll Need
- Wooden embroidery hoop
- Scissors
- Thin quilt batting
- Solid-color fabric
- Finished needlework
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue
- Satin or grosgrain ribbon
Instructions
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1
Choose an embroidery hoop that is one or two sizes larger than the needlework you want to frame.
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2
Cut the batting and solid-color backing fabric to fit the embroidery hoop, leaving 2 inches of extra space. For example, if you are working with an 8-inch hoop, cut the batting and fabric into a 10-inch square. Trim your needlework to the same size, being careful to keep the image centered in the square. It may be helpful to lay the hoop over your needlework to visually center the image before cutting.
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3
Open the embroidery hoop and separate it into two hoops. Lay the smaller bottom hoop on a clean, dry surface.
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4
Spread the backing fabric, face down, across the bottom hoop. Place the quilt batting on top of the backing fabric. Lay your finished embroidery face up on top of the quilt batting with the top of the image facing away from you.
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Place the larger top hoop on top of the finished embroidery with the screw at the top. Adjust the top and bottom hoops to center the image inside the hoops. Be sure the two hoops line up.
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Firmly press the top hoop down over the fabric and onto the bottom hoop. You may need to loosen the screw at the top of the larger hoop. When you have pressed the top hoop all the way down over the bottom hoop, tighten the screw to secure the fabric between the hoops.
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Turn the embroidery hoop over and trim the loose fabric. It should be flush with the edge of the hoop. Use the hot glue gun to press a line of hot glue over the fabric edges to keep them from fraying.
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If your embroidery hoop is 6 inches or smaller, cut a 3-inch length of ribbon. For a hoop that is larger than 6 inches, cut a 5-inch length of ribbon. Hot glue one end of the ribbon to the under side of the bottom hoop below the screw. Glue the other end to create a loop. Squeeze a small drop of hot glue onto the edge of the hoop and press the loop of ribbon onto the edge. This will help the ribbon lay flat on the wall. Allow the glue to dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Be careful when using a hot glue gun. The tip gets hot enough to burn. Keep the hot glue gun away from children.
References
- Photo Credit cross stitch embroidery image by vnlit from Fotolia.com
