Dress Your Punch Needle Hoop - Learn How

This is an image of Maker's Academy Pattern Desert Sun in a punch needle hoop.

Intro


Congratulations on taking the first step to learning the wonderful craft that is punch needle!


I first noticed this wonderful craft when I was scrolling through Instagram, and I thought, "I've got to give this a go!" And I haven't looked back since. Since then, I've taught this craft to hundreds of lovely makers worldwide.


In this article, I will teach you the beginner technique of dressing your punch needle hoop.


How to dress your hoop


Lay your fabric over the smallest hoop, then place the larger hoop over the top. The goal here is to get the fabric as tight as possible in the hoop, like a drum.


So pull the fabric as tight as you can, then screw the hoop a bit tighter too.


Keep screwing the hoop and carefully pulling the fabric tighter (all around the hoop), until you’ve got it fairly taut. 

This is an image of the two seperate pieces of the punch needle hoop and punch needle fabric in between.
This is an image of the punch needle fabric in the hoop.
This is an image of hands turning the clasp of the punch needle hoop.

Leave plenty of excess fabric around the edge, so that you can be flexible about mounting or finishing your design later, but not so long that it’s getting caught up in your stitches. I think at least 50mm is good.


Bear in mind that monk’s cloth does fray easily at the edges. This is another reason why it’s good to leave a generous allowance around your hoop.


Often it will come pre-hemmed which is so helpful. 

Conclusion

 

Congratulations on learning how to dress your hoop. This is the first step of most punch needle patterns. I can't wait for you to bring your first punch needle pattern to life!

What's next? 

 

If you found this article useful, you may also enjoy my Punch Needle Foundations Course.

 

This course takes you through all the beginner techniques and knowledge you need to make your first beginner pattern, Desert Sun.


I would totally recommend this course, as it covers more punch needle techniques than just how to dress your hoop, and you can also do it at your own pace. Plus, this is a great way to hold yourself accountable for your me-time and continue on your path to becoming a punch needle superstar.

 

P.S. Have you checked out this blog yet, 'Beginner Punch Needle Guide: Which Supplies do You Need?'


Which punch needle pattern are you going to start on first?