Learning how to finish the back of an embroidery hoop is a simple but important step. It helps protect your stitches and gives your finished piece a clean, professional look. Knowing how to protect embroidery stitches back is key to making your work last. This guide shares different ways to cover the back of finished embroidery, from easy gathers to neat felt circles.
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Why Finish the Back?
You might wonder why you need to finish the back of your embroidery hoop art. The front looks lovely, right? But the back holds all the messy bits – the starts and stops of your threads, the knots (even if you try to hide knots on back of embroidery!), and the loose fabric.
Leaving the back open can lead to problems:
- Damage: The stitches on the back can catch on things and pull, hurting the design on the front.
- Dust and Dirt: An open back invites dust and dirt to settle on your work.
- Untidy Look: For a piece you want to hang or give as a gift, a messy back takes away from the beauty of the front. A tidy back embroidery finish shows care and skill.
- Protecting Stitches: Finishing provides a layer that keeps the threads safe from snags and pulls.
Think of it like framing a picture. The frame isn’t just for looks; it protects the artwork inside. Finishing your hoop is like giving your embroidery a mini-frame on the back. It’s a crucial part of embroidery hoop finishing techniques.
Materials You Will Need
No matter which method you choose, you’ll need some basic supplies:
- Your finished embroidery in its hoop.
- Sharp scissors (fabric scissors work best).
- Needle and strong thread (embroidery floss, sewing thread, or even button thread).
- Fabric for backing (felt, cotton, etc.).
- Glue (fabric glue, craft glue, or hot glue gun) – optional, depending on method.
- Cardboard – optional, for using cardboard to finish hoop back.
- Pen or marker.
Gathering your tools before you start makes the process much smoother.
Method 1: The Simple Gather Stitch
This is one of the easiest and most common ways to finish the back. It involves gathering the excess fabric on the back and securing it with a stitch.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prepare Your Hoop: Make sure your embroidery is centered in the hoop and the fabric is pulled tight. Tighten the screw firmly.
- Trim Excess Fabric: Leave about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 4 cm) of fabric around the outside edge of the hoop. Use sharp scissors to carefully trim excess fabric embroidery hoop. Be careful not to cut too close to the hoop edge or your stitches.
- Thread Your Needle: Use a strong thread that matches your fabric or is neutral. Double your thread for extra strength. Tie a knot at the end.
- Start Stitching: Work from the back of the hoop. Bring your needle up from the inside of the fabric edge, about 1/2 inch (1 cm) away from the hoop.
- Stitch Around: Make a running stitch about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) long all the way around the trimmed fabric edge. Keep your stitches roughly the same size. You are basically creating a channel for your thread to run through.
- Pull and Gather: Once you’ve stitched all the way around, gently pull the thread. The fabric edge will start to gather towards the center of the hoop.
- Pull Tightly: Pull the thread as tight as you can, making the fabric gather neatly in the center. This is part of the process of gluing fabric onto embroidery hoop back (though here you’re pulling it, not gluing it down first).
- Secure the Gather: Once the fabric is pulled tight, make a few strong stitches over the gathered center to hold it in place. Sew back and forth through the gathered fabric multiple times.
- Finish Off: Tie a secure knot close to the fabric and snip off the excess thread.
Benefits of the Gather Method:
- Fast: It’s a quick way to tidy up the back.
- Simple: Requires basic stitching skills.
- Uses Less Material: You only use the existing fabric.
Drawbacks of the Gather Method:
- Not the Cleanest Look: The gathered fabric can still look a bit bulky.
- Back is Still Visible: You can still see the back of your embroidery through the gathered fabric.
- Less Protection: Doesn’t offer a full barrier against dust or snags compared to other methods.
This method is great for pieces that will hang against a wall where the back won’t be seen up close.
Method 2: The Felt Backing Method
Adding felt backing for embroidery hoop art is a popular choice. It gives a very neat and clean finish and provides good protection for your stitches. You can either sew or glue the felt circle onto the back.
Technique A: Sewing Felt Onto Embroidery Hoop
Sewing is durable and doesn’t require glue. It creates a lovely, handmade finish.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prepare Your Hoop: Make sure your embroidery is tight in the hoop.
- Trim Excess Fabric: Trim the fabric leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) around the edge. You can gather this fabric (like in Method 1) or fold it inwards and glue it down first for an even neater base, although gathering is often fine underneath felt.
- Cut the Felt Circle: Place the back of your hoop onto a piece of felt. Use a pen or marker to trace around the outer edge of the inner hoop (the smaller hoop piece). This will give you a circle that is just slightly smaller than the hoop’s outer diameter. Cut out the felt circle just inside the traced line. Test the fit – it should sit nicely inside the outer hoop edge on the back.
- Position the Felt: Place the felt circle onto the back of your hoop, covering the gathered fabric or the trimmed edges. Make sure it lies flat.
- Thread Your Needle: Use a strong thread that matches your felt color. You can use embroidery floss (1 or 2 strands) or strong sewing thread.
- Start Sewing: You will use a whip stitch or a running stitch to attach the felt to the edge of the fabric just inside the hoop.
- Whip Stitch: Bring your needle up from behind the felt edge, then loop it over the fabric edge just inside the hoop, and back down through the felt. Repeat, making small, close stitches all the way around the felt circle, wrapping the thread around the fabric edge. This creates a neat edge.
- Running Stitch: Bring your needle up through the felt and a tiny bit of the fabric inside the hoop edge. Go back down. Repeat, making small, even stitches around the circle. This is less visible but holds well.
- Sew All Around: Continue stitching evenly until the felt circle is securely attached to the back of the fabric inside the hoop edge.
- Finish Off: Tie a knot securely on the back of the felt or the fabric edge and snip the thread.
Technique B: Gluing Felt Onto Embroidery Hoop Back
Gluing is faster than sewing and gives a very smooth finish.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prepare Your Hoop: Ensure the embroidery is tight.
- Trim and Secure Excess Fabric: Trim the fabric, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm). You have a few options here:
- Gather: Use the gather stitch method (Method 1) first. This pulls the fabric neatly into the center.
- Glue and Fold: Use fabric glue or craft glue. Apply glue to the inner edge of the hoop on the back. Fold the excess fabric smoothly over the glued edge and press down. Let it dry completely. This creates a very flat surface.
- Trim Close: Some people trim the fabric quite close to the hoop edge (about 1/2 inch or 1 cm) and rely on the felt and glue to cover it. This is the least secure if the glue fails. The gather or glue-and-fold method is usually better before adding felt.
- Cut the Felt Circle: Trace the outer edge of the inner hoop (the smaller hoop) onto felt. Cut just inside this line so the felt circle fits snugly inside the outer hoop edge on the back.
- Apply Glue: Apply a thin, even layer of fabric glue or strong craft glue to the back of the embroidery inside the hoop, covering the gathered or folded fabric. You can also apply glue to the back of the felt circle, especially near the edges. Be careful not to use too much glue, or it might seep through the felt.
- Position and Press: Carefully place the felt circle onto the glue, centering it on the back of the hoop. Press it down firmly, especially around the edges. Make sure there are no wrinkles.
- Dry: Let the glue dry completely according to the glue manufacturer’s instructions. This might take several hours or overnight. You can place a book on top of the hoop (on the felted side) while it dries to ensure good contact, but be careful not to press down on the embroidery itself.
Benefits of the Felt Backing Method:
- Neat and Tidy: Provides a very clean, finished look (tidy back embroidery finish).
- Protective: The felt layer completely covers the back, protecting stitches from dust and snags (how to protect embroidery stitches back).
- Looks Professional: Adds a polished touch to your work.
- Hides Knots: Completely hides any knots or thread ends on the back (hiding knots on back of embroidery).
Drawbacks of the Felt Backing Method:
- Requires Extra Material: You need a piece of felt.
- Can Add Bulk: Adds a slight thickness to the back.
- Gluing Requires Care: Using too much glue can be messy.
Felt backing for embroidery hoop art is an excellent choice for pieces you want to display proudly or give as special gifts. It’s a standard technique among embroidery hoop finishing techniques.
Method 3: Using Cardboard to Finish Hoop Back
Using cardboard to finish hoop back gives the piece structure and a very flat, clean surface. It’s often used in conjunction with felt or fabric covering the cardboard.
Technique A: Cardboard and Felt/Fabric Cover
This method uses a cardboard circle covered with felt or fabric, which is then glued into the back of the hoop.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prepare Your Hoop: Ensure the embroidery is tight.
- Trim and Secure Excess Fabric: Trim the fabric, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Gather the fabric with a running stitch as in Method 1, or fold and glue it neatly against the back of the hoop. The goal is a relatively flat back surface to glue the cardboard onto.
- Cut the Cardboard Circle: Use a sturdy but not too thick piece of cardboard (like from a cereal box or craft cardboard). Place the back of your hoop onto the cardboard and trace the inner edge of the outer hoop. This circle should fit just inside the back rim of the hoop. Cut out this cardboard circle carefully. Test the fit – it should sit snugly inside the hoop rim. Trim if needed.
- Cut the Covering Circle: Choose a piece of felt or fabric slightly larger than your cardboard circle (about 1/2 inch or 1 cm extra all around). This will be used to wrap around the cardboard.
- Cover the Cardboard: Place the cardboard circle onto the wrong side of your felt or fabric. Apply glue to the edge of the cardboard. Pull the felt/fabric edge up over the edge of the cardboard, smoothing it down onto the glue. You can also make small cuts around the fabric edge to help it curve smoothly around the cardboard if using fabric. Continue gluing and folding/smoothing the felt/fabric around the entire edge of the cardboard circle. The back of the covered cardboard should look neat. Let the glue dry.
- Glue Covered Cardboard into Hoop: Apply a generous amount of strong craft glue or fabric glue to the back of the embroidery inside the hoop rim, over the gathered or folded fabric. Place the covered cardboard circle (covered side facing out) onto the glue, pressing it down firmly into the hoop rim.
- Dry: Let the glue dry completely. Placing a book or weight on the cardboard while it dries can help ensure a good bond.
Technique B: Cardboard and Felt Backing (Two Layers)
This method adds an extra layer of felt directly to the hoop before the cardboard disc for extra neatness.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prepare Hoop & Trim Fabric: Same as above. Trim fabric to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) and gather or glue down.
- Cut First Felt Circle: Cut a felt circle slightly smaller than the outer hoop, just like for Method 2B (gluing felt directly). Glue this felt circle directly onto the back of the embroidery inside the hoop, covering the gathered fabric. Let this layer dry. This first felt layer covers the mess directly.
- Cut Cardboard Circle: Trace the inner edge of the outer hoop onto cardboard and cut it out. This circle should fit snugly inside the hoop rim.
- Cut Second Felt Circle (Optional Cover): You can cover the cardboard circle with a second piece of felt or fabric as in Technique A, step 4-5, if you want a fabric-covered cardboard disc. Or, you can leave the cardboard plain or cover it with paper.
- Glue Cardboard into Hoop: Apply glue around the edge of the back of the first felt layer, inside the hoop rim. Press the cardboard circle (or covered cardboard circle) firmly onto the glue, seating it within the hoop rim.
- Dry: Allow the glue to dry fully.
Benefits of Using Cardboard:
- Adds Structure: Makes the hoop feel more substantial and keeps the back flat.
- Very Clean Finish: When covered, it provides a very tidy back embroidery finish.
- Excellent Protection: Fully encloses and protects the back of the stitches (how to protect embroidery stitches back).
- Great for Hanging: Creates a flat surface that sits nicely against a wall.
- Hides Everything: Perfect for hiding knots on back of embroidery.
Drawbacks of Using Cardboard:
- More Steps: Involves cutting and covering cardboard.
- Can Be Bulky: Adds more thickness than just felt or gathering.
- Requires Cardboard: Needs an extra material.
Using cardboard to finish hoop back is a premium finishing technique, giving your work a professional, framed appearance without the weight of actual framing.
Method 4: Gluing Fabric Onto Embroidery Hoop Back
This is a quick method using glue to secure the excess fabric and sometimes adding another layer of fabric or paper.
Technique A: Glue and Fold Method
This focuses on simply folding the excess fabric and gluing it neatly.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prepare Hoop & Trim Fabric: Ensure your embroidery is tight. Trim the fabric, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) around the edge.
- Apply Glue: Apply a bead of strong fabric glue or craft glue around the inner edge of the hoop on the back side. Work in sections so the glue doesn’t dry too fast.
- Fold and Press: Carefully fold the excess fabric over the glue line, pressing it down onto the back of the hoop. Use your finger or a tool to smooth it and make sure it adheres well. Continue around the entire hoop, trying to make the folds as smooth as possible.
- Add Second Layer (Optional): For a neater finish and better protection, you can add a circle of felt or another fabric on top of the folded fabric, using glue as in Method 2B.
- Dry: Let the glue dry completely.
Benefits of Glue and Fold:
- Fast: Very quick to secure the excess fabric.
- Simple: Doesn’t require any sewing.
- Good Base: Creates a flat base if you plan to add a second layer like felt or cardboard.
Drawbacks of Glue and Fold:
- Can Be Messy: Too much glue can seep through or be hard to manage.
- Less Durable Alone: The glue bond might fail over time, especially if handled roughly.
- Fabric Edge Shows: Unless you add a second layer, the raw, folded fabric edge is visible.
This method is best as a quick way to prepare the back before adding a felt or cardboard covering, or for very lightweight pieces that won’t be handled much. It is one way of gluing fabric onto embroidery hoop back to secure it.
Comparing Embroidery Hoop Finishing Techniques
Here’s a quick look at the main methods:
| Method | Tidiness | Protection | Skill Level | Materials Needed | Time | Hides Knots? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Gather | Okay | Low | Beginner | Thread, Needle, Scissors | Quick | Partially |
| Sewn Felt | Very Tidy | High | Intermediate | Felt, Thread, Needle,Scissors | Medium | Yes |
| Glued Felt | Very Tidy | High | Beginner | Felt, Glue, Scissors | Quick + Dry Time | Yes |
| Cardboard + Cover | Excellent | High | Intermediate | Cardboard, Cover Fabric/Felt, Glue, Scissors | Medium + Dry Time | Yes |
| Glue & Fold Fabric | Okay (Alone) | Low (Alone) | Beginner | Glue, Scissors | Very Quick + Dry Time | Partially |
(Note: Skill levels are relative. Basic sewing for sewn felt is easy, but neatness takes practice. Cardboard requires accurate cutting and gluing.)
Choosing the right method depends on how you plan to use or display your finished embroidery and the look you want for the back. For a truly professional and protected piece, felt backing for embroidery hoop art or using cardboard to finish hoop back are top choices among embroidery hoop finishing techniques.
Tips for a Tidy Back Embroidery Finish
No matter which method you choose, here are some pro tips to make your back finish look its best:
- Hide Knots While Stitching: Try to start and end threads by running them under existing stitches on the back. This minimizes bulky knots (hiding knots on back of embroidery). If you must use a knot, make it small and place it where it will be covered by the backing.
- Trim Excess Fabric Neatly: Use sharp scissors for a clean cut when you trim excess fabric embroidery hoop. Don’t rush this step. The amount of fabric you leave affects how easy it is to gather or fold.
- Iron Your Fabric (Before Stitching!): Starting with smooth, wrinkle-free fabric makes everything easier, from stitching to finishing.
- Center Your Design: Make sure your design is perfectly centered in the hoop before you finish the back. Once it’s finished, it’s hard to adjust!
- Use Strong Thread: For the gather stitch or sewing felt, use a strong thread like quilting thread or doubled sewing thread so it doesn’t break when you pull it tight or sew through thicker layers.
- Practice Your Stitching: If you’re sewing felt onto embroidery hoop back, practice the whip stitch or running stitch on a scrap first to get even stitches.
- Don’t Skimp on Drying Time: If you are gluing fabric onto embroidery hoop back or using glued felt/cardboard, give the glue ample time to dry fully before handling the piece. Rushing can cause things to come unstuck.
- Match or Coordinate Materials: Use felt or fabric for the backing that complements your embroidery fabric or thread colors for an extra touch of polish.
- Add a Hanging Loop: If you want to hang your hoop, sew or glue a ribbon loop onto the back before you add the final felt or cardboard covering. Stitching it securely to the fabric gather or hoop itself provides the best support.
Following these tips will help you achieve a tidy back embroidery finish that rivals the beauty of the front. Learning how to protect embroidery stitches back is as important as making the stitches themselves!
Adding Labels or Signatures
Once the back is finished (especially with felt or cardboard), you have a great place to add information about your piece.
- Sign and Date: Use a permanent fabric marker or pen to write your name or initials and the year on the felt or covered cardboard back.
- Add a Title: If your piece has a name, write it on the back.
- Gift Information: If it’s a gift, you can write “Made for [Name] by [Your Name]” and the date.
- Care Instructions: You could even note briefly how to care for the piece.
This adds a personal and professional touch to your finished work.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with practice, you might run into small problems.
- Fabric Not Gathering Neatly:
- Reason: Stitches are too far apart or thread isn’t strong enough.
- Fix: Use smaller, closer running stitches. Try stronger thread. Make sure you trimmed the fabric evenly.
- Felt Circle is Too Big/Small:
- Reason: Tracing or cutting wasn’t precise.
- Fix: Measure the inner edge of the outer hoop carefully. Trace inside this line for a circle that fits inside the rim. Trim slowly and test fit as you cut.
- Glue Seeping Through:
- Reason: Too much glue was used, or the felt/fabric was too thin.
- Fix: Use a thinner layer of glue. Spread it evenly. Use thicker felt. Place a protective layer (like wax paper) between the back and your work surface while it dries.
- Backing Not Lying Flat:
- Reason: Gathered fabric underneath is too bulky, or the backing circle isn’t cut correctly.
- Fix: Try folding and gluing the excess fabric instead of gathering for a flatter base before adding felt/cardboard. Ensure the felt or cardboard circle fits snugly without forcing it. Weight it down while glue dries.
- Hoop Fabric Comes Loose After Finishing:
- Reason: The hoop wasn’t tightened enough before finishing the back.
- Fix: This is tough to fix once finished without undoing the back. Always make sure the fabric is drum-tight in the hoop before trimming and finishing. Tighten the screw with pliers if needed (gently!).
Practice makes perfect with these techniques. Don’t be discouraged if your first few backs aren’t perfectly tidy back embroidery finish examples. Each one will get better!
Protecting Your Embroidery Stitches Back: Beyond Finishing
While finishing the back covers and protects, here are other ways how to protect embroidery stitches back (and front!):
- Proper Storage: Store finished hoops flat or upright on a shelf, not piled on top of each other where stitches can be crushed or snagged.
- Keep Away from Dust: Display pieces away from high-traffic dusty areas. A finished back helps here!
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Sunlight can fade threads over time.
- Gentle Cleaning: If needed, gently spot clean only the embroidered area with cool water and mild soap. Avoid getting the back wet if using glued methods.
- Handle with Care: Avoid touching the embroidery directly with oily or dirty hands.
These steps, combined with proper finishing techniques like felt backing for embroidery hoop or using cardboard to finish hoop back, ensure your beautiful work lasts for years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I finish the back of a hoop that isn’t going to be hung?
Yes! Finishing the back is always a good idea if you want to protect the stitches and have a tidy back embroidery finish, even if the hoop is just sitting on a shelf or propped up. It makes the piece feel more complete.
What’s the best glue for gluing fabric onto embroidery hoop back?
Strong craft glue or fabric glue that dries clear and flexible is best. Aleene’s Tacky Glue or similar craft glues work well. Hot glue is fast but can be messy and create bumps. Test your glue on scrap fabric first.
How much fabric should I leave before trimming?
About 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 4 cm) is a good amount for most methods. This gives you enough fabric to comfortably gather or fold without being too bulky. When you trim excess fabric embroidery hoop, do it carefully and evenly.
Do I need to use felt for the backing? Can I use cotton fabric?
You can use other fabrics! Cotton, felt, or even a sturdy interfacing can work. Felt is popular because it doesn’t fray and is easy to cut into a neat circle, making felt backing for embroidery hoop projects simple and clean. Using cotton fabric for a glued or sewn circle is also a common embroidery hoop finishing technique.
How do I add a hanging loop?
The easiest way is to sew a ribbon loop securely to the gathered fabric on the back before you glue or sew the felt/cardboard cover on. Stitch it well! If you’re not gathering, you can sew it to the fabric edge or even hot glue it very securely to the hoop itself before adding your backing layer.
Is it okay if I have a few knots on the back?
Yes, it’s okay! While trying to hide knots on back of embroidery is a good goal, some knots are unavoidable. The purpose of finishing the back is specifically to cover and protect these areas, so don’t worry too much about a few small knots if you plan to add a full backing layer like felt or cardboard.
Can I take the embroidery out of the hoop after finishing the back?
No, these finishing methods are meant to keep the embroidery in the hoop permanently for display. If you plan to remove the embroidery from the hoop later (for framing in a traditional picture frame, for example), you would not finish the back in this way. You would just trim the fabric, leaving a larger border for framing or mounting.
Knowing how to finish the back turns a simple stitched piece into a finished piece of art ready for display. Experiment with the different embroidery hoop finishing techniques to find your favorite!