For every question in needlework - be that knitting, crocheting, hand
sewing, or embroidery - you will get more than one answer. In the end,
you will have to do what you can reasonably afford to do and what is
comfortable for you, not what is comfortable for someone else. That
includes where and how you sit. In 19th century Western culture, one
simply had to sit straight at a table for whatever the needlework task.
Thank goodness we no longer have those strict customs. For in the
end, that is - with few exceptions - what it is: custom.

Cross stitch can be worked in hand, in a small hoop, in a tambour hoop,
on scroll rods, stapled to a large frame, laced to a slate frame, set in
Q-snaps (whatever those are), and there's probably other ways.

If you are new to a task (such as cross stitch) your stitching will
improve in time no matter what method you ultimately decide to use. And
that method may change as you figure out that the method you chose
simply isn't comfortable (hurts the wrist, thumb, shoulders, for
instance). And depending upon the size of a piece, the work might be
more easily suited to one type implement than another. For instance, a
small item will fit readily in a hoop; stiffer fabric might work very
well in hand, a large item worked over a long period of time might be
better suited to a frame of some sort.

I'll let those more knowledgable about scroll frames, slate frames,
etc., answer those questions.

For hoops: Purchase only high quality hoops that have a good screw
mechanism. Cheap hoops made in China will only frustrate you. Bind the
inner, the outer, or both with cotton bias tape or strips of muslin.
Place fabric on the inner hoop and place the outer hoop half way down.
Begin to tighten the screw. Straighten the fabric during the process.
When it is finger tight and no wrinkles in the fabric, push the hoop all
the way down. Now, with a screw driver, tighten the hoop firmly. The
fabric will stay taut until you are ready to remove or simply move it to
another spot.

A tambour hoop is larger (10+ inches), deeper, and is attached to a
small stand. A wing nut replaces the screw. They are awkward to hold
in your lap, but I do it in spite of the trouble. They are meant to sit
on a table and be clamped down, or weighted down with a bag of sand -
which unless very heavy, doesn't work well. Tambour hoops flip freely
on the stand so you can rotate it to readily work the underside to tie
off threads, etc.

Good luck on your adventures in needlework. Welcome to RCTN.
Dianne

Jill Spottiswoode wrote:
Hi, can anyone advise me as to what to use to hold my cross stitch taut
enough for me to work on. I am thinking about getting a Tapestry frame or
Embroidery hoop, but don't know how to use them. (Have only seen pictures of
them)
Thanks,
Jill