Handling Large Pieces

[JTravis10]

Hi All:

I have another question.  So I have started to make a large cross stitch piece.  However, I don't know how to handle it in terms of a frame.  Can a q-snap or hoop go over an area of cross stich that has already been worked, or will that ruin the piece?  How do you all handle working a large piece of cross stitch. 

Jack

[Listessa]

You can move the hoop over your past stitches.  It won't hurt them in the long run, just make sure you iron it on a fluffy towel when finished to flatten things out again. 

Some people place a piece of tissue or parchment paper large enough to cover their piece over the top of it when they move the hoop around.  Then rip the paper off the working area, but leave it around the edges.  That helps keep the other areas of your piece clean, so any dirt and grime on the hoop or hands won't smudge the finished areas. 

I tend to use a scroll frame for large pieces. 
They are a nice option to work with, especially for bigger pieces. 
Recently my local Michael's craft store put a bunch of their nicer scroll frames on clearance, so I picked up some $80 or $90 multiple sized kits of them for $15. 

[kittykill]

I use a Q-Snap and I'm currently working on a really large piece (over two feet so far). You can definitely go over stitches without hurting them. My only suggestions is to make sure your Q-Snap is clean before putting it on fabric, it has a tendency to pick up dirt on the snaps, thus transferring it to the fabric.