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Framing a project in an embroidery hoop is a wonderful way to display the piece, but figuring out how to finish the back can be tricky. Maker Team member Jenny of @olivethisfelt does a lot of handstitching and is sharing some of her solutions for finishing embroidery hoops. Enjoy this behind the scenes tutorial!
You’ve just poured hours of stitching (not to mention blood, sweat and tears) into an embroidery hoop. You sit back to appreciate your hard work and suddenly realize the back is a hot mess of knots, criss-crossing threads and hidden mistakes. But never fear; all is not lost! Follow along with me for four easy options to cover up an unsightly hoop back and create a perfectly polished piece.
Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 10 - 30 minutes
Supplies:
Finished Embroidery Hoop Project(s)
One 9 x 12” sheet of coordinating Wool Blend Felt (Ecru shown)
One 9 x 12” sheet of coordinating Bellwether Thick Felt (Ecru shown)
Embroidery Floss, coordinating or contrasting (DMC 580 and 746 shown)
Needle
Tacky Glue
Scissors
Tracing Pen
Cardstock
Logo Stamp - optional
Iron or Hair Dryer
Hoop Backing Template (click to download)
Directions:
Option No.1 - Blanket Stitched
Trim excess felt around the back of the embroidery hoop. Be sure to leave a couple of millimeters of exposed felt around the entire embroidery hoop. Using the Hoop Backing Template, trace the correct size circle for your hoop onto felt with a tracing pen. Cut out and then remove pen marks with hair dryer or iron.
Using one strand of DMC thread that matches the felt color (DMC 746 shown), attach circle to felt lip around hoop back with a blanket stitch. To start blanket stitch, bring needle up through the inside of the felt lip to ensure the knotted end of the thread is not exposed.
Continue the blanket stitch around the entire circle, until you come back to your starting point. Knot off and trim excess thread.
Option No.2 - Whip Stitched
Trim excess felt around the back of the embroidery hoop. Be sure to leave a couple of millimeters of exposed felt around the entire embroidery hoop. Using the Hoop Backing Template, trace the correct size circle for your hoop onto felt with frixion pen. Cut out and then remove frixion marks with hair dryer or iron.
Using two strands of DMC thread, attach circle to felt lip around the hoop with a whip stitch. To start whip stitch, bring needle up through the inside of the felt lip to ensure the knotted end of the thread is not exposed. For this example, I chose to use a color thread that coordinated with the image on the front and contrasted with the backing felt (DMC 580 shown.)
Continue whip stitch around the entire circle, until you come back to your starting point. Knot off and trim excess thread.
Option No.3 - Bellwether Thick Felt
Trim excess felt on the back, cutting as close to embroidery hoop as possible. You want to try to keep it flush with the hoop. Using the Hoop Backing Template, trace the correct size circle for your hoop onto Bellwether thick felt with frixion pen. Cut out and then remove frixion marks with hair dryer or iron.
Squeeze a ring of Aleene’s Tacky Glue around the outside edge of the hoop back and felt circle. Flip felt circle glue side down and position over embroidery hoop back.
Press down around entire hoop perimeter. You can choose to clamp with clothes pins for extra security while it dries.
Option No.4 - Card Stock
Trim excess felt on back, cutting as close to embroidery hoop as possible. You want to try to keep it flush with the hoop. Using the Hoop Backing Template, trace the correct size circle for your hoop onto your card stock. I chose a color that matched the felt (Ecru wool blend) I was working with. However, If you want to add a little pizzazz to your hoop, you can choose a colorful or patterned card stock.
As an optional step, you can embellish your card stock backing with a logo stamp, a sticker, or a personalized note. Squeeze a ring of Aleene’s Tacky Glue around the outside edge of the hoop back and around the back of the card stock. Flip card stock glue side down and position over embroidery hoop back.
Press down around entire hoop perimeter. You can choose to clamp with clothes pins for extra security while it dries.
Now you have a backed hoop that is equally flawless on both sides. For future projects, feel free to play around with different looks by changing felt or thread colors. You can also add a personal touch to your hoop with a custom logo or artist signature. The hoop backing possibilities are endless now that you’ve learned these four basic options. Have fun with it!
Thanks to Jenny for designing and writing this tutorial! You can follow her on Instagram @olivethisfelt or visit her website. Stay tuned for more tutorials from the Benzie Design Maker Team!
