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The Daily Insight

What is a slate frame for embroidery?

Author

Abigail Rogers

Updated on May 02, 2026

A slate frame is a frame for holding the fabric with a sufficiently tight tension to enable needlework to be done cleanly and precisely. The tension on a slate frame when dressed keeps the fabric squared. The frames are designed to be used flat.

Which is the best frame used for hand embroidery?

ring frame
The most common type of frame for hand embroidery is the ring frame. It is always advisable to use a frame or hoop while doing embroidery to give the embroidery pattern a beautiful, neat and finished look. These frames are made of wood, plastic or metal and are easily available in the market in different sizes.

What is a slate frame?

Slate frames have been around forever – well, certainly since the Middle Ages, and anyway. They’re made up of four parts – two rollers (top and bottom) and two stretchers (sides, with peg holes). The advantage of a slate frame is that, with them, you can achieve and maintain perfect tension for stitching.

How do I choose an embroidery frame?

Ideally, choose a hoop that is about 1-inch larger than the design you are stitching. Holding a hoop that is larger than 8 inches can be unwieldy, so for larger pieces, it’s okay to recenter the fabric in the hoop as needed, just be sure to always take the fabric out of the hoop when you are not stitching.

How do you display an embroidery frame?

Alternatively you can find these on Amazon, but they may be cheaper at a craft store.

  1. Step 1 – Iron your project.
  2. Step 2 – Cut your mounting board to size.
  3. Step 3 – Position and secure your fabric.
  4. Step 4 – Put your embroidery art in the frame.

How much fabric do I need to make a slate frame?

For example: a 15” (38cm) slate frame will allow you to work with a 15” (38cm) width of fabric, allowing a maximum design size of approximately 12” (30cm), with a border of spare fabric of 1.5” (3.8cm) at each side.

Do you need a slate frame for embroidery?

But if you’re new to embroidery and new to Needle ‘n Thread, there is a chance you’ve never come across the slate frame. The slate frame is a very simple but effective tool for embroiderers. It’s been used for centuries in its most basic form, and in recent years, it’s enjoyed a renaissance of popularity. I like to hunt down slate frame makers.

What is the best frame for embroidery?

.Designed and made with love by my Uncle Rowl, cabinet-maker, these beautiful, traditional slate frames are the best way to ensure drum-tight tension over your working fabric for all types of embroidery. I would advise that if you can, and if the scale of the piece warrants the effort, you should always use a slate frame.

What are slate frame slats?

For most slate frames, the top & bottom (or “roller”) bars are situated horizontally, with the “slats” on the sides. The slats feature a series of closely and evenly spaced holes into which some kind of pin or peg is inserted, to push the roller bars away from each other, stretching the fabric vertically between them.