Tufting is a technique which allows you to create creations by inserting wool or acrylic threads through a stretched fabric, using a tufting gun . An essential element to practice this activity in the best conditions is to correctly stretch and fix the tufting fabric on the frame. Otherwise, your tufting gun may have difficulty inserting the wool through the fabric and, even worse, may tear the fabric.
The simplest and most effective technique is to position tufting grippers on the main face of your frame. Grippers are pre-nailed bars that you can install in minutes using a hammer. These strips are sold individually and can be easily cut to the desired size with a hand saw. They can also be placed side by side if your frame is larger.
If you are good with your hands and have a little patience, you can choose to reproduce the pre-nailed bar system by positioning each nail yourself. To do this, you will need brad nails , a hammer, a pencil and a ruler. This technique can be quite laborious considering the time required to install each nail correctly. We invite you to think about and compare the two options in order to choose the one that best suits your needs. Some people will prefer to save time and spend a few extra dollars, while others will choose to save money by taking the time necessary to install the nails themselves.
⚠ It is important to note that we strongly advise against stapling your canvas to your frame. This method is not suitable for tufting.
When you start tufting, you may ask yourself several questions: where to start? What tension should you apply to the fabric? Will the fabric tear if I pull too hard? It is completely normal to have these questions as a beginner. That's why we've prepared a guide that will explain to you in 3 steps how to properly hang and stretch your fabric.
Place your fabric on the frame. Pull on all four corners so that the fabric is flat, without wrinkles or bumps. Leave about 5 cm of extra fabric on each side, this will help you stretch the fabric correctly.
Attach your fabric to the nails on your frame. starting at one side of the fabric, pulling it slightly to stretch it. Then, hook the opposite side by pulling the fabric firmly so that it is taut. Continue hanging the fabric on the other sides of the frame, adjusting the tension as you go. Your fabric should be taut across the entire frame. If you choose to use the white fabric with yellow lines or the premium fabric for tufting , be aware that both of these fabrics have lines. Make sure they are straight. This is a good tip to check if the fabric is tight enough.
Once the fabric is attached to the frame, check the tension by tapping the center with your hand. The fabric should be taut and firm, without wrinkles or distortions, it should be as tight as a drum. If you notice parts of the fabric that are less taut, don't hesitate to pull your fabric a little more to increase the tension.
We hope that this article will help you make rugs in the best conditions. If you would like more information and advice regarding the best tufting guns , the types of threads to use for tufting, or our workshops, we invite you to consult our other articles.
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