Do you ever use stretcher bar frames for your embroidery projects?
I do. I use them especially for small-to-medium sized projects that will take longer to work, but not as long as projects that I’d set up in a slate frame – which are usually pretty extensive projects.
I like stretcher bars because they’re quick to set up compared to a slate frame, they provide excellent tension if they’re set up correctly, and, if you’re using certain stretcher bars, they’re adjustable.
When I use stretcher bar frames, I always use Evertite Stretcher Bars, and since I’ve received a repeated question about stretcher bars and about Evertite Stretcher Bars in particular, I thought I’d answer that question here.
Here’s an Evertite stretcher bar frame I set up last week. It’s 8″ x 9″. I was setting up to take photos of a stitch tutorial and explanation, because I wanted more room than I’d get in a hand-held hoop, and because I prefer the square, taut surface of the fabric when I’m taking photos of stitches.
If you are unsure of what an Evertite frame is, how it works, and how it is set up, you’ll find all that information in this article on Evertite frames.
The bare bones: when you purchase stretcher bars, you purchase two pairs. They can be the same or different sizes, depending on the size of finished frame you want for your project.
If I’m working on a project that’s 5″ x 7″, for example, I’d probably use a pair of 9″ bars and a pair of 11″ bars. This would give me a 9×11 frame, which provides me with 2″ around the perimeter of the design area – a comfortable margin to work with.
My fabric would be cut larger than that – at least another inch to two inches on each side, depending on how you like to tack your work onto the frame. I normally will take my fabric around to the side of the frame, so that the tacks are not on the top. In that case, I’d add two inches all around.
The main advantage of Evertite frames is that they are adjustable after the fabric has been tacked to the frame, allowing you to achieve a really drum-taut surface without the distortion that can be caused by pulling and tacking the fabric in hopes of achieving good tension.
The adjustment is done with a T-tool that has the equivalent of an Allen-wrench tip to it, and you use that to loosen or tighten the screws that are embedded in the ends of the stretcher bars.
These patented frames are pretty ingenious!
They’re a bit of an investment, yes. Definitely more of an investment than purchasing plain stretcher bars.
And that brings me to the question I receive frequently about stretcher bars, and particularly about Evertite Frames, when people are considering investing in them.
Can you re-use Evertite frames, and if so, how many times before they “go bad”?
Yes, you can re-use Evertite frames.
And you can re-use them a lot.
I’ve been using the same Evertite frames – all different sizes, depending on the project I’m working on – for nigh on 20 years.
I have no idea how many projects I’ve mounted on this particular set of bars, but it’s been many!
As long as you take care of them, as long as you are careful when screwing and unscrewing the tightening screws, they will last you a long time!
As I mentioned above, I normally take my fabric around to the sides of the frames, but sometimes, I tack on the tops of the frames. You can do it either way – I just prefer not to have the tacks on top.
If you wanted, and you had the excess fabric, you could even fold the fabric around to the back of the frame and tack it on the back, but I don’t find that the best practice. It makes it hard to get to the screws.
But my point is – you have at least two good sides (top and side) of each bar to tack in.
You can tack in the same holes repeatedly. Sure, my frames are super hole-y, but they keep doing the job just as well as they did when they were new.
It would take many, many, many, many projects tacked onto one of these frames to bring the wood to the point of not working to hold the tacks. Many projects!
Worth the Investment?
Say you end up paying $40 for two pairs of stretcher bars to make one frame of a commonly used size.
Say you work at least 20 projects on that frame (and probably more). That’s $2 a project for excellent tension and a convenient framing method. Yes, the frame may “deteriorate” or depreciate in value over the years and many uses, but it will serve you well for the cost.
Like any decent tool, it’s an investment.
You just have to decide if it’s an investment that’s worth making. Is it worth the convenience and ease of use, the results you can achieve, and so forth, over the span of its life?
Personally, I think they are worth it – but that’s something that you have to decide.
More Information on Hoops and Frames
If you’d like to read more about hoops and frames – and when you might use a hoop vs a frame – check out this article, which has further resources and information about different hoops and frames and such.
Pre-Order Enchanted Embroidery Now!
Remember this book that I previewed for you earlier this month?
If you’ve been anticipating it as much as I have, you will be happy to know that Jenny Adin-Christie’s Enchanted Embroidery is available here for pre-order!
The books are on their way to me right now. I expect them later this week, which means we will ship them to you first thing next week.
If the pre-orders sell out, don’t worry! We will have more stock coming in with the order, but I want to make sure we don’t oversell in case we end up with any damaged books.
I’m pretty sure that this book will be The Book of the Year, as far as embroidery goes. I’m guessing the whole publishing run will sell out pretty quickly. So if you plan to add it to your library, now’s a good time to get it!
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