enjoyed your video and appreciated your review of hoops, qsnaps and nurge frames. i do have some thoughts that I think it is important for your customers to know all of which are based on my experiences over my 50 years of stitching. Wooden frames - many people do not realize the reason that the fabric comes loose as you are working on the hoop. it is not enough just to finger tighten them. if you look at the screw there is a channel there. that is so that you can use a screw driver to fully tighten that outer hoop so your fabric stays tight.also wrapping the hoop with bias tape keeps the fabric from coming loose. by making these 2 changes I can put virtually anything in the hoop without issue. My favorites are the Nurge wooden hoops - the wider ones- as they hold the fabric the best. next up...qsnaps I would not recommend or encourage people to slid the snap off. by doing that I have torn fabric. and there is nothing worse than to get a hole in your fabric. I would highly encourage the use of felt or fabric between the clamp and the stitched piece. what I have found works best is to use than piece of fabric to remove the clamp by pulling it upward so that it pulls the clamp up and you can then remove it. and lastly the plastic nurge hoops just and fyi I have found that it is difficult to get the fabric tight on the larger ones. I hope this information is helpful to both your company and your customers
I love that 123Stitch is doing informational videos. I use both Nurge and Q-Snaps. One thing I learned that some painted fabric does not work well with Nurge as the unpainted areas will show up from the tightness of the Nurge. The thing I like about the genuine Q-Snaps (imitations apparently loosen up after a while and don’t hold the fabric well) is the ability to interchange the pieces to get varying sizes. Both are great in my opinion.
Using the Nurge frame, last night, I chose yo place a grime guard on & was careful to fold the excess fabric within the grime guard. I had to frog 6 stitches in the lower left corner, at the excess fabric was caught in those stitches on my 28 ct fabric.... grrr... lesson learned. Love the Nurge hoop better than Q-snaps at 72 years young with arthritis causing "trigger fibgers" . It is more lightweight & YES, my choice of the light purple color makes me smile!!! Thanks for your review. 20+ years ago, I was taught to lay the fabric over the top piece, then to place the smaller piece of the frame, onto the fabric, from the front. 1. Keeps the working surface from being held by allbeit clean hands, but oils are still produced while stitching. 2. Keeps the front stitched side from getting soiled, when placing the frame upside down on a potential soil-ing area. 3. Keeps the screw are from adding a "catching of your floss" trouble zone covered! I liked the added tip you shared by sharing the addition of felt over the already stitched area before clamping down the frame.
Before the new notions for excess fabric, I just rolled up the fabric and used safety pins to hold the rolled up fabric. Also, if using a smaller piece of fabric than the frame, I just sewed muslin/left over fabric on the edges of the embroidery piece to enlarge it to fit tight in a frame/hoop.
I tried the Q Snaps but because of arthritis in my hands they were hard to use. Love the Nurge hoops. Easy to put together and light weight. Easier on my hands.
Thank you for your review! I was always a q-snap user but very recently I started using the Nurge hoop. I bought the lilac 4-piece set. I am very pleasantly surprised at how light the Nurge hoops are. I am also very happy with how tightly they hold my fabric. There will always be room to use my 11x17 q-snap, but generally I will be using the Nurge from now on.
I am a huge fan of the Nurge hoops. I discovered, just a couple days ago, that there are arrows on the inner lip of the inside hoop that mark the middle of the hoop. The Nurge hoops are easier to hold for long periods of time and hold the fabric very tight.
I've been working with the Nurge hoop & find it keeps the fabric taught enough & is much easier on my hands. With the Qsnap my hand starts to cramp up after too long. The Nurge also allows the fabric to have a little give which works well if stitching using the sewing method. I've become a fan of the Nurge! Thanks for the demo!
I like the nurge hoop and Q snap. The nurge is so light it is easy to hold. I use my larger Q- Snaps usually in my Velke Potoky stand if it is feeling heavy. Smaller size Q - Snaps are not heavy. Thank you again 123 Stitch for wonderful video.
I love the q snap, and I have a set of the square nurge frames. I cannot get the fabric tight enough in the nurge frame. However I did get some round metal nudge frames and I love those.
I’m a QSnap girl - all the way. My preferred size is 8x11 (I have a bad shoulder and cannot reach very far with that arm). I stitch 1/2 way down from the center - then turn the QSnap and my pattern upside down and stitch down from the middle (top of the design)
I have been stitching for a very, very long time. Metal hoops, wood hoops, q-snap and Nurge hoops - I've tried them all. My preference is the q-snaps for ease of use. I found it hard to get the fabric on the Nurge hoops. I was using a 14ct aida and was barely able to get the top hoop over the bottom one with the fabric on it. I opened the hoop as far as I could. The other issue I found was that the screw was hard to tighten with my arthritic hands.
I found that I had to lay the Nurge hoop flat on the table, put the Aida on top, and then press the other half of the hoop down. But I agree, I think that Q-Snaps are still my favorite.
Thank you for the review! I have used Q Snaps but not the Nurge hoop. I still prefer my wooden frames for stitching. The only creasing of the fabric is done at the top and bottom where the fabric goes into the dowel. Plus, you don't have to worry about the frame or hoop going over the stitches.
Currently I have projects in Nurge frames, wooden hoops, QSnaps, and roller frames. It depends on the project and my current mood. The one thing I've never mastered is in-hand stitching. Lots of folks do that, and maybe should be mentioned.
Thank you for mentioning that! Although it's not something I think I would enjoy personally, stitching in-hand is the preferred option for many people.
I like the q snaps but they do get a bit uncomfortable because of the thickness sometimes - but I’ve used them for years. Most recently I have found a wooden hoop from anchor threads company. It snaps together - there is no screw to tighten. I like this because I’ve started to learn embroidery and I’m rotating my work as I stitch. With no screw in the way my thread isn’t catching on the screw. I just finger tighten it. Seems to be working so far. The hoops come in different sizes and shapes.
Thank you so much for this comparison. Currently I’m preferring the Nurge hoop as it is lighter. I use size 2. I have q-snaps and use them occasionally.
Thanks for the video -- I hadn't heard about the Nurge hoops and may try them. I have LOTS of Q-snaps, and scroll bars where you can roll the project as you work and I have plastic hoops with springs that snap the fabric taunt and have used wooden ones (but not so much anymore) -- I love the Q-snaps to be able to make the size I want, because of this feature, I don't have to stress about actual extra fabric as I can make close to the size I want. I do find though, that they can become heavy and am starting to have hand issues -- may have to try some Nurges to test out the lighter weight!
I love the q-snap and have all the sizes with all the extenders. I don't hold them in my hands, but put them on a special machine or a holder for hoops, because I embroider with both hands, it's faster and more convenient.
I like my Nurge hoops for all the reasons you gave plus they come in small sizes for small projects. They hold the fabric very tightly. I have never owned a Q-snap, but many of my stitching friends do. I may try one some day.
I have used both, the q-snaps and the nurge hoop. The q-snap offers more versatility of size. Both hold the fabric nice and snug. But I do have to say I LOVE the nurge hoops. They are SO much lighter than the q-snaps and thinner to hold. I no longer get hand cramps when I use the nurge hoop. That makes for more stitching time for me. I guess I'm showing my age. The video was excellent at pointing out the pros and cons. For people who get hand cramps Nurge hoops are better. Happy stitching either way
I prefer q-snap. Mostly because they don’t leave nearly impossible to remove creases. I don’t have to remove my project each day to avoid creases. The thicker frame is easy to hold and have a firm comfortable grip for me. The nurge was nice and tight but had to be removed each time I was done. The thin frame was harder to grip without eventual cramping as I had to hold a small thin frame tighter to use. But to each their own. Use what works best for you. 👍
@@mrminecraftsparkles I found that it does leave slight marks on the fabric. What works best from me is to remove from the frame every time I'm done stitching and/or just stitch on smaller designs where the crimped portion won't show after framing/finishing. They are really nice and lightweight so I'd like to continue to use them.
Haven't used Q-Snaps yet. Have used Nurge hoops but only when the stitched area fits within the hoop. Nurges can also leave some bad creases that cannot be removed by ironing.
I haven't had that issue with the Q-Snap. I just make sure the stitched area is covered by something before putting the clamp down. I haven't tried it with the Nurge yet
I have been waiting for a review of these two items. I have & use Nurge hoops, but have wondered about the qsnaps. Thank you. Think I’ll just stick with Nurge. 😊
I’m a qsnap fan. The nurge hoops don’t fit in my Omanik Monstrik stand ( they’re too thin), the Qsnaps fit perfectly in my stand. I like the 11x11 the best as well.
I started stitching in hand, but I discovered Q-Snaps decades ago and fell in love with them immediately. I'm curious about the Nurge hoops but have a concern. Most of my projects are larger than the largest size hoop. If you have to move the hoop over an area already stitched, how do you protect the stitching? As the video showed, that's easy to do with Q-Snaps.
Hi, I've been a stitcher for 30+ years and use both Q-snaps and hoops depending on the project. When I have to move the fabric in my hoop I place a fine-fabric handkerchief, folded in half to give two thicknesses, between the stitching and the hoop to protect the stitching. I find it works well and have never had any damaged stitches. 👍
I'm in my 70's and couldn't get used to the thickness of q-snaps - it feels like using a quilting frame to stitch. I do like the Nurge hoops and the inexpensive plastic Susan Bates hoops that I bought from 123Stitch that have a ridge on the lower hoop that holds the fabric tight. Still, I love my wooden hoops and even though the fabric does loosen more often, I stitch in hand using a hoop so the slack in the fabric is actually an advantage, rather than a disadvantage.
Prefer Nurge - light weight, smaller & less bulky than Q-snap & the shape works well with the kind of work I do. Especially like the #1. Also fits in my travel bag more easily.
Great comparison video. I like both types of frames, too. However, I feel like some company is missing a big opportunity. I would love a Q-Snap style frame that is a smaller diameter.
I have arthritis in my hands, and I found that the QSnap is tiring and eventually painful for my left hand to hold it while my right hand does the stitching. I've stopped using it for that reason. I've never tried the Nurge Hoop.
Work with both, like both. But the Qsnaps seem like they been remaded😮. Been having hack of a time taking snaps off, maybe just me, not sure😮🤦♀️🤷♀️ Carolann from Duluth Minnesota, Hello. Always bought from 123, you do seem to carry everything 😊😊
Thank you for commenting that, I thought it was just me! I have an 8 x 11 qsnap from the 1990s and it works perfectly, always has, but my new 8 x 8 is so hard to put together and take apart, and the clamps have rough bits on them which I'm afraid will rip my fabric!
I can't use the q snaps, for me they are awkward to hold. But I do use and love Nurge hoops, have 3 sizes. I'm wanting to try Morgan hoops, have heard good things about them.
I don't find I can ever get my nurge hoops drum tight which is how I prefer if I'm not in hand stitching. I thought they'd be especially good for square and rectangular pieces rather than already stitched areas getting caught in the frame. My hands tire if using a Q Snap for long so I end up going back to the old bound circular frames and mini screw drivers which these old hands can still tighten better !
Great question! I just double checked on my 11"x11" frame. It's 11" on the outer edge. With the clamps on, the inside stitching area is more like 10". Thanks for asking!
Since the nurge has the groove and channel, I'm wondering if it creates more of a ridge in the fabric. Seems like it could smush it too much and possibly cause some harm. I like a good solid wooden hoop with the inner hoop covered in twill tape. Kind to the fabric and keeps it very taught. Sarah Homfray has a nice video about how to prep the hoop. But these might be great for beginners and for people whose hands hurt holding a smaller hoop. Do you ever use a stand to hold your hoop for you?
I had that concern as well. There is creasing when you remove the hoop from your project but I haven't had a problem washing and/or ironing it out. I do like that it's so lightweight. I haven't been using a stand to hold the hoop but that's also a very good option. I'll check out the Sarah Homfray video. Thanks!
I was so happy you did a video on these types of hoops. I tried the Q-snaps but found them awkward and hard to hold. I also have tried Nurge hoops. I feel like they are harder to get the fabric in .. that the ridge in the hoop and the tightness might distort the fabric. Am I the only one who has a hard time getting the fabric seated in the Nurge hoop without a struggle ... ??? I usually end up going back to the Susan Bates plastic hoops. I do not work on large projects, so maybe that makes a difference too. Thank you.
I think it helps to place the inner hoop on a firm surface, like a table. Use the screw on the outer hoop to open it up. Then place your fabric on the inner hoop, lay the upper hoop on top until it snaps in place, and then tighten the screw. The firm surface helped me a lot.
I’m concerned about hoop marks with the Nurge hoops. No matter what I did with normal hoops, I always ended with hoop marks that just wouldn’t come out. That’s the main reason I started using Q Snaps.
Yes, that's always a concern. I did try leaving the fabric in the Nurge for about 3 days to test it. I had major creases and marks on the fabric, but was able to get all of them out quite easily with a steam iron. This was on an unstitched portion of fabric.
I tried a Q Snap set a few yrs ago, but the pc that goes over the fabric, split in half. I wasn’t impressed and went back to my wooden hoops, until I ordered a Nurge and fell in love with them! They definitely hold the fabric taunt 👏🏻👏🏻 Cheers 🥰🇨🇦
I don’t like the Qsnaps because it’s hard to hold and awkward for me. My favorite to use is a SPring Hoop which is what I learned to cross stitch with back in the 80’s. It holds fabric tightly and easy to hold. I’ve tried the Nurge hoop but it can be difficult to get fabric in sometimes. Spring hoop is quick and easy.
I have tried Q Snap, Nurge (square ones) and the old fashioned wooden hoops. Everybody has their favorites, but i still go back to my wooden hoops 😊 Take care
I have tried all forms of wooden hoops, Nurge hoops, Qsnaps and scroll frames. Wooden hoops and Nurge hoops are too difficult to tighten and in my opinion, are useless. Qsnaps are good and a scroll frames work well if you can sucessfully attach the Aida, but neither of these suits my in-hand stitching style. I currently use a spring tension hoop and this works great for me.
I have rheumatoid arthritis and I use both types of frames. I prefer the q snap for large projects and the other for small projects. Can you tell me where to find grime guards?
Enjoyed the video as I’ve never used the Nurge hoop. Was wondering how it works if you need to move it and place over your stitching? Does it crush/distort your stitching?
I personally have not tried to put the Nurge frame over my stitching but I've had people tell me they do it with no problem. Anyone out there have experience with this?
Thank you so much for a lot of great information. I have used Qsnaps, but I had some concerns that you just took care of!! I have been curious about the Nurge hoops and after your demonstration I feel ready to try them as well. Like you, I think I will have a use for both kinds of hoops in my cross stitching adventures. Great video😊
Thanks for the video. I have a couple of Q-snaps and they are versatile for different size projects as you said. I have not yet tried a Nurge hoop. I will have to though as I agree the Q-snaps can be cumbersome at times. It also seems that the Nurge might be gentler to the fabric? Thanks for the comparison. :) ❤
You mentioned 11 x 11 Qsnaps are a favorite of yours, do you use a stand of some sort to hold your 11 x 11? Otherwise, I would think it would be quite heavy!? Thank you for the video!
I do not use a stand. I find that the 11x11 is very easy to hold, not too heavy at all. I don't like to use anything larger, but if I did, I would use a stand.
@@123Stitchdotcom A tip for removing tight clamps is to not try to slide it off. Instead, gently pull up on the excess fabric on that side and the clamp will pop off.
Most of my projects are less than 10 inches and a find a hoop is more cumbersome than just holding the fabric in my hand. Does having a tighter fabric significantly increase precision or speed?
Some people love stitching in hand. I've just always enjoying my stitching more when it is tighter in the hoop. I don't think it makes a difference in terms of speed, just a matter of personal preference!
Tighter fabric makes for even stitch tension, accuracy, and cleaner stitched fabric; therefore I find it faster. For smaller pieces of cloth, I sew on muslin/or other fabric to the edges of the piece so it can fit in a frame/hoop, Cut off the fabric when the piece is done.
Hello! I have used Q-snaps for decades and love them. I did purchase a set of plastic Nurge frames that I like as well. I hesitate putting the Nurge frames over stitches though because I’m afraid they will damage them. Do you have any experience with this? Thank you! Love your shop ❤
I don't have any personal experience with this as I had the same concern. I did ask another stitcher and she said she does put the frame over her stitching and hasn't had any problem with it.
I find the Q-Snaps awkward and too heavy. I love my square Nurge hoop. The screw is so much easier to grip and I prefer the lighter weight. I do not find the Q-snap clamps easy to disassemble. I'll be giving away my Q-snap and plan to replace all my wood hoops with Nurge. It will take a little time because every time I go to your website there are many, many more things I also want. But that's a good problem, right?
I've never had them be that tight, but how about putting them on an off the frame several times without any fabric in them. They should loosen up enough for you to add the fabric. Let me know if that worked!
I've been stitching with q snaps for 40+ years and can tell you they will loosen with time & use. 😅 While I'm here, I have to say never EVER try to pinch pennies by buying q-snap knock-offs! They don't hold the fabric well at all and are not worth it!
I haven't had to replace a clamp yet, but they do loosen up over time. I have heard (not tried myself though) that running them through a dishwasher cycle will tighten them up again.
I've been using Q Snaps for at least the last 25 years or longer....the only thing that really was "revolutionary" was how useful grime guards are. I'm not particularly a fan of Nurge hoops - too much like the wood hoops, and I rarely do projects small enough that they're of a useful size to me.
enjoyed your video and appreciated your review of hoops, qsnaps and nurge frames. i do have some thoughts that I think it is important for your customers to know all of which are based on my experiences over my 50 years of stitching. Wooden frames - many people do not realize the reason that the fabric comes loose as you are working on the hoop. it is not enough just to finger tighten them. if you look at the screw there is a channel there. that is so that you can use a screw driver to fully tighten that outer hoop so your fabric stays tight.also wrapping the hoop with bias tape keeps the fabric from coming loose. by making these 2 changes I can put virtually anything in the hoop without issue. My favorites are the Nurge wooden hoops - the wider ones- as they hold the fabric the best. next up...qsnaps I would not recommend or encourage people to slid the snap off. by doing that I have torn fabric. and there is nothing worse than to get a hole in your fabric. I would highly encourage the use of felt or fabric between the clamp and the stitched piece. what I have found works best is to use than piece of fabric to remove the clamp by pulling it upward so that it pulls the clamp up and you can then remove it. and lastly the plastic nurge hoops just and fyi I have found that it is difficult to get the fabric tight on the larger ones. I hope this information is helpful to both your company and your customers
Excellent information 👌
Very helpful information, thank you!
I love that 123Stitch is doing informational videos. I use both Nurge and Q-Snaps. One thing I learned that some painted fabric does not work well with Nurge as the unpainted areas will show up from the tightness of the Nurge. The thing I like about the genuine Q-Snaps (imitations apparently loosen up after a while and don’t hold the fabric well) is the ability to interchange the pieces to get varying sizes. Both are great in my opinion.
Using the Nurge frame, last night, I chose yo place a grime guard on & was careful to fold the excess fabric within the grime guard. I had to frog 6 stitches in the lower left corner, at the excess fabric was caught in those stitches on my 28 ct fabric.... grrr... lesson learned.
Love the Nurge hoop better than Q-snaps at 72 years young with arthritis causing "trigger fibgers" . It is more lightweight & YES, my choice of the light purple color makes me smile!!!
Thanks for your review.
20+ years ago, I was taught to lay the fabric over the top piece, then to place the smaller piece of the frame, onto the fabric, from the front.
1. Keeps the working surface from being held by allbeit clean hands, but oils are still produced while stitching.
2. Keeps the front stitched side from getting soiled, when placing the frame upside down on a potential soil-ing area.
3. Keeps the screw are from adding a "catching of your floss" trouble zone covered!
I liked the added tip you shared by sharing the addition of felt over the already stitched area before clamping down the frame.
Those hoops are perfect for new beginners who need help holding the patterns in place. Wow, I should recommend those to my new cross stitcher friends!
I'm a Nurge convert. I like how tightly it holds the fabric. To control excess fabric I roll and use magnities to contain.
Me too!
Before the new notions for excess fabric, I just rolled up the fabric and used safety pins to hold the rolled up fabric. Also, if using a smaller piece of fabric than the frame, I just sewed muslin/left over fabric on the edges of the embroidery piece to enlarge it to fit tight in a frame/hoop.
I tried the Q Snaps but because of arthritis in my hands they were hard to use. Love the Nurge hoops. Easy to put together and light weight. Easier on my hands.
Same
I agree! Love Nurge!
Nurge also makes wooden hoops and quilting hoops
Completely agree!
Same here! I can't work the Qsnap because of severe arthritis. The Nurge hoops are easier to use, and the colors are fun.
Thank you for your review! I was always a q-snap user but very recently I started using the Nurge hoop. I bought the lilac 4-piece set. I am very pleasantly surprised at how light the Nurge hoops are. I am also very happy with how tightly they hold my fabric. There will always be room to use my 11x17 q-snap, but generally I will be using the Nurge from now on.
You're welcome! I love the Nurge as well!
I am a huge fan of the Nurge hoops. I discovered, just a couple days ago, that there are arrows on the inner lip of the inside hoop that mark the middle of the hoop. The Nurge hoops are easier to hold for long periods of time and hold the fabric very tight.
Thanks for the info!
Great tips Joanne! You look natural and confident on the video! Beautiful always 😘
Thank you for the excellent video! Enjoyed reading the comments also, and I'm going to try a Nurge hoop because so many people like them. 💖
Glad it was helpful!
I'm old school and prefer the round wood frames, but I'm definitely NOT a beginner! About 54 years of cross stitching.❤
I've been working with the Nurge hoop & find it keeps the fabric taught enough & is much easier on my hands. With the Qsnap my hand starts to cramp up after too long. The Nurge also allows the fabric to have a little give which works well if stitching using the sewing method. I've become a fan of the Nurge! Thanks for the demo!
I like the nurge hoop and Q snap. The nurge is so light it is easy to hold. I use my larger Q- Snaps usually in my Velke Potoky stand if it is feeling heavy. Smaller size Q - Snaps are not heavy. Thank you again 123 Stitch for wonderful video.
I love the q snap, and I have a set of the square nurge frames. I cannot get the fabric tight enough in the nurge frame. However I did get some round metal nudge frames and I love those.
I’m a QSnap girl - all the way. My preferred size is 8x11 (I have a bad shoulder and cannot reach very far with that arm). I stitch 1/2 way down from the center - then turn the QSnap and my pattern upside down and stitch down from the middle (top of the design)
Very helpful comparison. Thank you! The Nurge hoops are definitely worth a try.
Thanks for watching!
I have been stitching for a very, very long time. Metal hoops, wood hoops, q-snap and Nurge hoops - I've tried them all. My preference is the q-snaps for ease of use. I found it hard to get the fabric on the Nurge hoops. I was using a 14ct aida and was barely able to get the top hoop over the bottom one with the fabric on it. I opened the hoop as far as I could. The other issue I found was that the screw was hard to tighten with my arthritic hands.
I found that I had to lay the Nurge hoop flat on the table, put the Aida on top, and then press the other half of the hoop down. But I agree, I think that Q-Snaps are still my favorite.
Thank you for the review! I have used Q Snaps but not the Nurge hoop. I still prefer my wooden frames for stitching. The only creasing of the fabric is done at the top and bottom where the fabric goes into the dowel. Plus, you don't have to worry about the frame or hoop going over the stitches.
Currently I have projects in Nurge frames, wooden hoops, QSnaps, and roller frames. It depends on the project and my current mood. The one thing I've never mastered is in-hand stitching. Lots of folks do that, and maybe should be mentioned.
Thank you for mentioning that! Although it's not something I think I would enjoy personally, stitching in-hand is the preferred option for many people.
I like the q snaps but they do get a bit uncomfortable because of the thickness sometimes - but I’ve used them for years.
Most recently I have found a wooden hoop from anchor threads company. It snaps together - there is no screw to tighten. I like this because I’ve started to learn embroidery and I’m rotating my work as I stitch. With no screw in the way my thread isn’t catching on the screw. I just finger tighten it. Seems to be working so far. The hoops come in different sizes and shapes.
I'll have to try it - thanks for telling us about it!
Thank you so much for this comparison. Currently I’m preferring the Nurge hoop as it is lighter. I use size 2. I have q-snaps and use them occasionally.
Those Nurge hoops look really cute! Can't wait to try them out
I’m a q snap all the way, my go to is the eight inch even on my large samplers. They work really well for my linen
Thanks for the video -- I hadn't heard about the Nurge hoops and may try them. I have LOTS of Q-snaps, and scroll bars where you can roll the project as you work and I have plastic hoops with springs that snap the fabric taunt and have used wooden ones (but not so much anymore) -- I love the Q-snaps to be able to make the size I want, because of this feature, I don't have to stress about actual extra fabric as I can make close to the size I want. I do find though, that they can become heavy and am starting to have hand issues -- may have to try some Nurges to test out the lighter weight!
Yes, try them out. They are much lighter and I think you'll like them!
I love the q-snap and have all the sizes with all the extenders. I don't hold them in my hands, but put them on a special machine or a holder for hoops, because I embroider with both hands, it's faster and more convenient.
I like my Nurge hoops for all the reasons you gave plus they come in small sizes for small projects. They hold the fabric very tightly. I have never owned a Q-snap, but many of my stitching friends do. I may try one some day.
I have used both, the q-snaps and the nurge hoop. The q-snap offers more versatility of size. Both hold the fabric nice and snug. But I do have to say I LOVE the nurge hoops. They are SO much lighter than the q-snaps and thinner to hold. I no longer get hand cramps when I use the nurge hoop. That makes for more stitching time for me. I guess I'm showing my age. The video was excellent at pointing out the pros and cons. For people who get hand cramps Nurge hoops are better. Happy stitching either way
I prefer q-snap. Mostly because they don’t leave nearly impossible to remove creases. I don’t have to remove my project each day to avoid creases. The thicker frame is easy to hold and have a firm comfortable grip for me. The nurge was nice and tight but had to be removed each time I was done. The thin frame was harder to grip without eventual cramping as I had to hold a small thin frame tighter to use. But to each their own. Use what works best for you. 👍
Did the fabric crimp in the Nurge?
@@mrminecraftsparkles Yes. Not as bad if I was sure to remove my work each time I was done for the day but still a bit.
@@mrminecraftsparkles I found that it does leave slight marks on the fabric. What works best from me is to remove from the frame every time I'm done stitching and/or just stitch on smaller designs where the crimped portion won't show after framing/finishing. They are really nice and lightweight so I'd like to continue to use them.
Haven't used Q-Snaps yet. Have used Nurge hoops but only when the stitched area fits within the hoop. Nurges can also leave some bad creases that cannot be removed by ironing.
I haven't had that issue with the Q-Snap. I just make sure the stitched area is covered by something before putting the clamp down. I haven't tried it with the Nurge yet
Great video,I like the show and tell, nice demo. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
I like my Morgan hoops because I can keep one hand under the hoop and use the other hand at the top. Morgan hoops can stand on mylap
I've heard lots of good things about Morgan hoops and will be trying them soon!
I have been waiting for a review of these two items. I have & use Nurge hoops, but have wondered about the qsnaps. Thank you. Think I’ll just stick with Nurge. 😊
I love the Nurge hoops. I bought all the sizes and have had no trouble finding one that will work just fine. Definitely give them a try!
I’m a qsnap fan. The nurge hoops don’t fit in my Omanik Monstrik stand ( they’re too thin), the Qsnaps fit perfectly in my stand. I like the 11x11 the best as well.
I use both but my grime guards don't seem to work for my Nurges which upsets me a bit. I also love Morgan hoops!
I started stitching in hand, but I discovered Q-Snaps decades ago and fell in love with them immediately. I'm curious about the Nurge hoops but have a concern. Most of my projects are larger than the largest size hoop. If you have to move the hoop over an area already stitched, how do you protect the stitching? As the video showed, that's easy to do with Q-Snaps.
Hi, I've been a stitcher for 30+ years and use both Q-snaps and hoops depending on the project. When I have to move the fabric in my hoop I place a fine-fabric handkerchief, folded in half to give two thicknesses, between the stitching and the hoop to protect the stitching. I find it works well and have never had any damaged stitches. 👍
Great tip, thanks!
I'm in my 70's and couldn't get used to the thickness of q-snaps - it feels like using a quilting frame to stitch. I do like the Nurge hoops and the inexpensive plastic Susan Bates hoops that I bought from 123Stitch that have a ridge on the lower hoop that holds the fabric tight. Still, I love my wooden hoops and even though the fabric does loosen more often, I stitch in hand using a hoop so the slack in the fabric is actually an advantage, rather than a disadvantage.
Prefer Nurge - light weight, smaller & less bulky than Q-snap & the shape works well with the kind of work I do. Especially like the #1. Also fits in my travel bag more easily.
Great comparison video. I like both types of frames, too. However, I feel like some company is missing a big opportunity. I would love a Q-Snap style frame that is a smaller diameter.
I like them both.My hand after a while starts to hurt with the Q-Snap.
I went down the Qsnap rabbit hole, then I tried the Nurge and never looked back the Nurge is so much better
I have arthritis in my hands, and I found that the QSnap is tiring and eventually painful for my left hand to hold it while my right hand does the stitching. I've stopped using it for that reason. I've never tried the Nurge Hoop.
I'm sorry that it has become so painful. The Nurge is much lighter and thinner so you may find it a bit easier to hold.
Work with both, like both. But the Qsnaps seem like they been remaded😮. Been having hack of a time taking snaps off, maybe just me, not sure😮🤦♀️🤷♀️ Carolann from Duluth Minnesota, Hello. Always bought from 123, you do seem to carry everything 😊😊
Thank you for commenting that, I thought it was just me! I have an 8 x 11 qsnap from the 1990s and it works perfectly, always has, but my new 8 x 8 is so hard to put together and take apart, and the clamps have rough bits on them which I'm afraid will rip my fabric!
I can't use the q snaps, for me they are awkward to hold. But I do use and love Nurge hoops, have 3 sizes. I'm wanting to try Morgan hoops, have heard good things about them.
I haven't used the Morgan hoop yet, but I'll give it a try and let you know what I think!
I tried q snaps but my fabric kept slipping. I then bought Norge and i love them
Great presentation. Thanks so much❤️
I like the Nurge frames….easier to hold.
Great information here! Thank you!
I don't find I can ever get my nurge hoops drum tight which is how I prefer if I'm not in hand stitching. I thought they'd be especially good for square and rectangular pieces rather than already stitched areas getting caught in the frame. My hands tire if using a Q Snap for long so I end up going back to the old bound circular frames and mini screw drivers which these old hands can still tighten better !
I like qsnaps for some things and the nurge hoop for others. Thank you
Me too!
Great comparison. when you talk about the measurements of the Q snap, is that the inside dimensions or to the outer edge of the frame? thanks
Great question! I just double checked on my 11"x11" frame. It's 11" on the outer edge. With the clamps on, the inside stitching area is more like 10". Thanks for asking!
Since the nurge has the groove and channel, I'm wondering if it creates more of a ridge in the fabric. Seems like it could smush it too much and possibly cause some harm. I like a good solid wooden hoop with the inner hoop covered in twill tape. Kind to the fabric and keeps it very taught. Sarah Homfray has a nice video about how to prep the hoop. But these might be great for beginners and for people whose hands hurt holding a smaller hoop. Do you ever use a stand to hold your hoop for you?
I had that concern as well. There is creasing when you remove the hoop from your project but I haven't had a problem washing and/or ironing it out. I do like that it's so lightweight. I haven't been using a stand to hold the hoop but that's also a very good option. I'll check out the Sarah Homfray video. Thanks!
I love the Nurge. Q Snaps are okay, but too gib and heavier to hold
I was so happy you did a video on these types of hoops. I tried the Q-snaps but found them awkward and hard to hold. I also have tried Nurge hoops. I feel like they are harder to get the fabric in .. that the ridge in the hoop and the tightness might distort the fabric. Am I the only one who has a hard time getting the fabric seated in the Nurge hoop without a struggle ... ??? I usually end up going back to the Susan Bates plastic hoops. I do not work on large projects, so maybe that makes a difference too. Thank you.
I think it helps to place the inner hoop on a firm surface, like a table. Use the screw on the outer hoop to open it up. Then place your fabric on the inner hoop, lay the upper hoop on top until it snaps in place, and then tighten the screw. The firm surface helped me a lot.
I love my nurge frames.
I’m concerned about hoop marks with the Nurge hoops. No matter what I did with normal hoops, I always ended with hoop marks that just wouldn’t come out. That’s the main reason I started using Q Snaps.
Yes, that's always a concern. I did try leaving the fabric in the Nurge for about 3 days to test it. I had major creases and marks on the fabric, but was able to get all of them out quite easily with a steam iron. This was on an unstitched portion of fabric.
I tried the q-snap for a few years, but it doesn't hold the fabric tight enough for me.
I tried a Q Snap set a few yrs ago, but the pc that goes over the fabric, split in half. I wasn’t impressed and went back to my wooden hoops, until I ordered a Nurge and fell in love with them! They definitely hold the fabric taunt 👏🏻👏🏻 Cheers 🥰🇨🇦
Very informative about the Qsnaps. Question - can they be used for needlepoint canvas? (If You don’t have a stitching area larger than the bars?)
I think the canvas would be too thick in the frame and the clamps would not hold it tight enough. I haven't tried it though!
I don’t like the Qsnaps because it’s hard to hold and awkward for me. My favorite to use is a SPring Hoop which is what I learned to cross stitch with back in the 80’s. It holds fabric tightly and easy to hold. I’ve tried the Nurge hoop but it can be difficult to get fabric in sometimes. Spring hoop is quick and easy.
I have tried Q Snap, Nurge (square ones) and the old fashioned wooden hoops.
Everybody has their favorites, but i still go back to my wooden hoops 😊
Take care
Agreed....everyone has to use what works best for them. We want to enjoy stitching so whatever that takes!
I have tried all forms of wooden hoops, Nurge hoops, Qsnaps and scroll frames. Wooden hoops and Nurge hoops are too difficult to tighten and in my opinion, are useless. Qsnaps are good and a scroll frames work well if you can sucessfully attach the Aida, but neither of these suits my in-hand stitching style. I currently use a spring tension hoop and this works great for me.
Cross stitching is supposed to be fun and you should use whatever works best for you. A spring tension hoop is a great choice!
I have rheumatoid arthritis and I use both types of frames. I prefer the q snap for large projects and the other for small projects. Can you tell me where to find grime guards?
We have them available at 123Stitch.com The link should be in the notes above.
Enjoyed the video as I’ve never used the Nurge hoop. Was wondering how it works if you need to move it and place over your stitching? Does it crush/distort your stitching?
I personally have not tried to put the Nurge frame over my stitching but I've had people tell me they do it with no problem. Anyone out there have experience with this?
Thank you so much for a lot of great information. I have used Qsnaps, but I had some concerns that you just took care of!! I have been curious about the Nurge hoops and after your demonstration I feel ready to try them as well. Like you, I think I will have a use for both kinds of hoops in my cross stitching adventures. Great video😊
Glad it was helpful!
Nurge might be able to fit in lap stands where qsnaps are too large.
Love it ! Love it! Love it!
Thanks for the video. I have a couple of Q-snaps and they are versatile for different size projects as you said. I have not yet tried a Nurge hoop. I will have to though as I agree the Q-snaps can be cumbersome at times. It also seems that the Nurge might be gentler to the fabric? Thanks for the comparison. :) ❤
You mentioned 11 x 11 Qsnaps are a favorite of yours, do you use a stand of some sort to hold your 11 x 11? Otherwise, I would think it would be quite heavy!? Thank you for the video!
I do not use a stand. I find that the 11x11 is very easy to hold, not too heavy at all. I don't like to use anything larger, but if I did, I would use a stand.
I use the Nurge as I’m not a fan of QSnaps or grime guards. I have small hands and the QSnaps are to big no matter the size.
I am a spring tension hoop lover had problems with Q snap found it hard to remove
I understand. The clamps are very tight when the frame is brand new but they loosen up over time so they become much easier to take off.
@@123Stitchdotcom A tip for removing tight clamps is to not try to slide it off. Instead, gently pull up on the excess fabric on that side and the clamp will pop off.
I prefer a single Morgan hoop and occasionally I will use q snaps.
I've heard several comments on the Morgan hoop. I'm going to try it out!
Most of my projects are less than 10 inches and a find a hoop is more cumbersome than just holding the fabric in my hand. Does having a tighter fabric significantly increase precision or speed?
Some people love stitching in hand. I've just always enjoying my stitching more when it is tighter in the hoop. I don't think it makes a difference in terms of speed, just a matter of personal preference!
Tighter fabric makes for even stitch tension, accuracy, and cleaner stitched fabric; therefore I find it faster. For smaller pieces of cloth, I sew on muslin/or other fabric to the edges of the piece so it can fit in a frame/hoop, Cut off the fabric when the piece is done.
I use an clamp on magnifier. It seems it may not hold onto either of these.. suggestions?
The Q-Snap is pretty thick so it should clip on but I haven't tried it myself. Any else have experience with clip on magnifiers?
Hello! I have used Q-snaps for decades and love them. I did purchase a set of plastic Nurge frames that I like as well. I hesitate putting the Nurge frames over stitches though because I’m afraid they will damage them. Do you have any experience with this? Thank you! Love your shop ❤
Just don’t use q snaps on embroidery.. it will rip the stitches.
I don't have any personal experience with this as I had the same concern. I did ask another stitcher and she said she does put the frame over her stitching and hasn't had any problem with it.
Vind ze allebei erg fijn
I find the Q-Snaps awkward and too heavy. I love my square Nurge hoop. The screw is so much easier to grip and I prefer the lighter weight. I do not find the Q-snap clamps easy to disassemble. I'll be giving away my Q-snap and plan to replace all my wood hoops with Nurge. It will take a little time because every time I go to your website there are many, many more things I also want. But that's a good problem, right?
Ha ha, I understand. I keep finding new things I need too!
I have QSnaps I haven't used yet. MY problem with them is they are SO tight! I haven't been able to get the pieces that hold the fabric on them on.
I've never had them be that tight, but how about putting them on an off the frame several times without any fabric in them. They should loosen up enough for you to add the fabric. Let me know if that worked!
I've been stitching with q snaps for 40+ years and can tell you they will loosen with time & use. 😅
While I'm here, I have to say never EVER try to pinch pennies by buying q-snap knock-offs! They don't hold the fabric well at all and are not worth it!
Did you put two layers of fabric into the nurge? If so can you show with just one layer
I actually did show two layers but one works even better. The Nurge can take thick and very thin fabrics equally well!
I’m still using hoops but now you have me thinking 🤔
I prefer the Nurge hoop because it’s lighter
What about the magnetic
Hi..I'm not sure you finished your comment. What magnetic item are you asking about?
Are there wooden nurge hoops too or only plastic?
There are lots of different types of Nurge frames listed on 123Stitch.com
Yes, Nurge has wooden hoops as well. They can be found here: 123stitch.com/search?designer=Nurge&keyword=Wooden
I love Nurge frame much better.
Tried the Q Snap, did not work for me. I have an old wooden hoop my aunt gave me 50 years ago.. I use it for all my projects😊
That's great! Sometimes tried and true is best and I love that it belonged to your aunt!
Is that a Paul Vaughn behind you?
Good eye! Yes, it is!
I have both types but find myself using Nurge more often than not. My biggest complaint with Qsnap is having to replace clamps.
I haven't had to replace a clamp yet, but they do loosen up over time. I have heard (not tried myself though) that running them through a dishwasher cycle will tighten them up again.
Not a fan of nurge plastic hoops. They left marks on my fabric (indents) that are impossible for me to get out. Q-snap guy here all the way!!
I've been using Q Snaps for at least the last 25 years or longer....the only thing that really was "revolutionary" was how useful grime guards are. I'm not particularly a fan of Nurge hoops - too much like the wood hoops, and I rarely do projects small enough that they're of a useful size to me.