The Framers Forum

Useful tool, or waste of space?

I would be interested in comments from anyone having experience with one of these needlework stretching devices.

what type of stretcher - I have two - a device that has two sets of carpet grips and a screw mechanism to stretch the material. - I never use it. The second is a fabric squaring board - big pegboard - i use it very occasionaly for very out of square work.

I also have the one with the gripper bars, it's made by Thorpe International and was in the past available from Lion. I got mine on eBay,because it was cheap, the original owner (also a framer) said he never used it.

Since buying it a few years ago, I've used it about twice or even three times. It does work and can help a lot when all else fails, but it's not exactly an essential item and they ain't cheap either!
Cheers,
Mark

I use the Umsco squaring board from Lion which is basically what Markw described, comes with rustproof pins (aluminium)

Use it a lot.

Hi John & Mark,

Since you both use the Umsco squaring board, could you enlighten me as to why it's more useful then the other type. I've neither seen nor used the Umsco so I'm wondering what I'm missing out on, (I'm also easily persuaded to buy new bits of kit too!). I had always assumed that the other one probably was the one to get, particularly as it is easier to dampen the back of the fabric due to the lack of a board in the way.

BTW I use an air brush to dampen the back of the fabric, it gives a very even light spray. I don't dampen the front to avoid anything nasty like colour bleed, etc.
Cheers,
Mark

I've never used the other type, seems a bit Heath-Robinson.

A squaring board tensions 4 sides though, so you can straighten as well as square. Can't see how you can do that by only having something attached on 2 sides. How would that sort out something that has 4 concave sides as well as beiing a parrallelogram?

Once dampened it's surprising what just a tug at opposite corners and strategic points here and there where not straight can do too!

Hi John,

I had a look at the price for the Umsco board in the Lion catalogue, which ain't all that much and a couple of tapestry jobs have just come in, so I'm gonna try one and see if I like it.
Cheers,
Mark

Mark,

Did you get the Umsco board from Lion in the end?

How did it fair please?

Thanks,

Sean

Hi Sean,

Yes, I did get it and yes it works well too. However I don't much like dampening customers tapestries if I can possibly avoid it, so it hasn't had much use yet. It's a lot lighter and less cumbersome than the Thorp Industries screw tensioned variety.