Slate frames are more and more difficult to come by here in the US these days.
I think the cost of wood and the cost of labor makes them pricy, and folks who previously manufactured them, either as a wholesale product for retail stores or as a side hustle to sell directly, have fallen off a bit.
Below, I’ll share a couple sources for good quality slate frames, and provide information for further exploration of slate frames for those who would like to know more about them.
A slate frame is a handy tool, excellent for tensioning medium to large embroidery projects.
Sure, medium and small projects – especially if they’re going to be relatively quick – are fine on hoops or stretcher bars. There’s nothing like a good hoop for small embroidery projects – they’re the quickest way to get your fabric tensioned well and ready to stitch.
But Big Stuff that will be in the works for a while? You just can’t beat a good slate frame!
If you’re not familiar with a slate frame, you can read this early article about setting us a slate frame (called “dressing” the frame). In it, you’ll discover the basic concepts of setting up a slate frame and how a slate frame is used.
The frame in that particular article, though, is no longer made by that manufacturer.
If you want to find a similar, high quality, really sturdy, beautiful slate frame of that ilk (including in custom sizes), the only place I know of in the US where they can be ordered is Ecclesiastical Sewing.
There, you will have the option of ordering some standard sizes, but they also take orders for custom sizes as well.
These are the slate frames that I use regularly for ecclesiastical embroidery projects like this one, and other similar, long-term, larger projects.
They also have excellent trestles available. Trestles are the rig commonly used to hold larger slate frames while you’re working on them.
A while back, I also wrote about these beautiful slate frames from TF Woodcraft. These are a slightly different configuration of slate frame, but they are the same concept of a slate frame. The “rollers” (the bars that you attach the fabric to, and roll the fabric on, if you’re fabric is larger than the height of your side slats) have holes in them for attaching the fabric.
I prefer attaching fabric to a sturdy twill strip or something similar, which is attached to the rollers, so I sewed a heavy cotton twill tape onto the rollers to hold my fabric, and it worked fine. Because of the nature of most cotton twill tape, I have to switch the tape out every now and then, if it gets weak from sewing fabric onto it.
You can sew something other than twill tape onto the rollers, I suppose – you could just cut a good strip of heavy duty strong fabric, cut on the grain (you don’t want it stretching) and sew that on the rollers, for example.
TF Woodcrafts also has a very pretty set of trestles. I’ve not tried them (some day I’d like to invest in a set!), but I’ve heard good things about them.
You can find their slate frames and trestles – and other handmade wooden fiber arts tools – available here at TF Woodcraft.
More on Slate Frames
I’ve written a bit about slate frames over the years, and here is a list of articles about slate frames if you would like to explore further.
For those who are new to embroidery and who haven’t yet explored the world of hoops and frames and the different types out there, this article on hoops and frames may come in handy.
If you know someone who does woodworking, they could make a frame quite easily. My brother had never heard of a slate frame, but when I showed him a picture he came up with one in a couple of weeks.
Exactly true!! They are not a complicated piece of equipment at all!
Jenny Adin-Christie sells wonderful slate frames on her web site. They are handmade by her uncle, and they are both beautifully constructed and beautifully finished. Her shop is in the UK and I am in the US, but in my opinion the international postage is well worth it for the quality and the devotion to craftmanship. She sells a variety of sizes and I think will also make custom sizes. You might have to wait for the size you want, and if you have read this far, you won’t be surprised that I think these well worth waiting for.
I have one of Jenny’s frames as well – they are the exact configuration of the frames sold by Ecclesiastical Sewing – and it is impossible to see a difference between the quality and workmanship.
Mary, I should have known that you’d be familiar with Jenny’s frames! How wonderful to have a U.S. source for equally fine frames!
Mary – I have also heard that good frames can be ordered from Jenny Adin-Christie (www.jennyadin-christieembroidery.com) The frames ship from England. I have not ordered a frame from this site yet, but from my overview of the site, the frames are worth a look. I am considering one for a kit by Margaret Lee. Ms. Adin-Christie also has a video on YouTube showing how to dress the frame.
The lack of access to slate frames in the US is such a frustration to me! I know the fine folks at Needle in a haystack used to sell slate frames made by Access Commodities, but it seems like they’re not making them any more so they’re not listed on their website any more.
Wanted to chime in with a few recommendations for overseas vendors.
I’ve personally had good experiences with Jenny Adin-Christie’s slate frames, she sells mostly small sizes (8″ up to 24″ wide). You can also order slate frames through the Royal School of Needlework, they carry 18″ and 24″ frames for their students. Both ship from the UK.
Mary,
In “The Art of Bead Embroidery” Margaret discusses Japanese frames as being different from Slate Frames. Can you help me (us your reading public) to understand the differences and advantages / disadvantages? If I sought out a Japanese frame for use on bead embroidery projects, could I use it as a substitute for a slate frame in the future for other projects?
Becky
Japanese frames are slightly different from slate frames. They have split dowels on the sides to hold the fabric and tension it horizontally by rolling the dowels, and they also have the side slats for tensioning (north / south). You lace the horizontal bars, into which both the split dowel and the side slats are inserted. Yes, you can use it as you wouldd a slate frame, more or less.
I would like to mention another affordable source for slate frames, Siesta Frames – https://www.siestaframes.com/acatalog/Needlework_Slate_Frames_.html.
These are sold at a price that is hard to beat, come quickly and I have found them to be very sturdy and strong. My RSN tutor, Tracy Franklin, let me know about them and I have bought a number of them. For those who find the costs of slate frames prohibitive, I strongly recommend this source.