October 16, 2009

Oval Hoop

Oval Hoop

What is an oval standing quilting frame hoop? What is a ratchet frame or an oval hoop stitch? Craft frames and things, stitchery hoops, embroidery hoops stitchery frames, quilting hoops and quilting frames provide some of the most popular tools used for the skills of stitchery and quilting. Quilting and stitchery have long been popular skills utilized to supply the necessities for a comfortable life, provide armor for protection in battle, provide decorative coverings and for pure art. While these skills may be accomplished without any tools other than needles, thread and material there have been many developments that have enhanced the arts. Hoops and frames were developed many years ago to hold the material in place, making the stitching or the quilting process much easier, neater and more enjoyable. Since convenience is a driver of innovation, different configurations have been developed such as convenient inter-locking hoops, adjustable size hoops and frames, rectangular scroll frames and the ratchet frame which incorporates a scrolling mechanism to move the material within the scroll frame. The quilting hoop or frame (rectangular, scroll frame or ratchet frame) holds the layers together and off the quilter’s lap.

Holding stands such as the oval standing quilting frame hoop, have also been developed to hold all types of stitchery hoops, stitchery frames, quilting hoops and quilting frames. Some quilting frames, being large enough to hold the entire quilt, are suspended from the ceiling in order to keep them out of the way when not in use. That practice is typically used by groups of quilters although it also used by individuals. As better designs and methods have been developed that practice is not as popular as it once was. Quilting frames and stitchery frames have now been designed to be easily changed from one size to another, thereby accommodating the specific material being stitched or quilted. The oval standing quilting frame hoop incorporates several of these designs in providing a way for the quilter to perform the art while sitting in a favorite chair. The oval hoop stitch convenience might be adapted to either the floor stand, the lap stand a sit-on stand or simply be a portable tool to be held at any convenient time to perform the stitching or quilting.

Hand quilting is the process of using a needle and thread to sew a running stitch, by hand, across the entire area to be quilted, the material can be placed in the lap or placed in an oval hoop, stretcher bars, scroll frame or ratchet frame. The quilter can sew one running stitch, a stab stitch, at a time or by using a rocking stitch where one hand is above the quilting hoop pushing the needle and one hand is below the quilting hoop, pulling the needle. The stitches may also be sewn in a pattern to create unique designs. Men and women have used their hands for the skills of stitching and quilt throughout history. As early as the time of the crusades we find that quilted materials were used for padding under mail armor. These military tunics were referred to as gambesons. Similar tunics were more heavily padded and very effectively used for armor without the mail.

While the art of quilting generally conjures up the picture of a lady or a group of ladies sewing the quilt by hand, machines have been used to perform quilting for many years. Machine quilting is the process of sewing the quilt layers together with a sewing machine or a longarm machine. The hoop or frame holding the fabric is moved through the household sewing machine. The machine quilting frames range from very simple scroll frames to elaborate stands that hold the frames and the quilting machines. The larger frames have scroll bars, on which the layers of the quilt are rolled, keeping them together and in a neat, orderly manner. The machine is mounted on a platform that slides along tracks or rails so it can be moved across the layers on the frame. This system is commonly called the longarm machine quilting system. The more sophisticated quilting machines contain computerized software and have the capability of sewing complex, elaborate, decorative designs.

Whether an oval hoop stitch is made, a ratchet frame or manually operated scroll frame is used hand quilting can be very enjoyable and socially rewarding. Machine quilting does provide, however, a lot of flexibility with patterns and requires a lot less time and effort.

Roland Barton

September 24, 2009

About the Author:

Roland Barton is the owner of Quilting Frames and Things, a web based company founded for the purpose of providing quilting frames, quilting hoops, machine quilting frames and quilting supplies. Roland has also become very interested in the history of quilting and the art of quilting since it provides such an excellent way to develop bonds in relationships and to provide so many lasting memories associated with the "special heirlooms-quilts" provided by loved ones and passed on from generation to generation with lasting ties.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Hands, Hoops, Frames and Machines