How To Decorate Your Hoop With Washi Tape

Displaying your finished cross stitch in a hoop is one of the simplest and most effective ways to show off all your hard work - and decorating the hoop with washi tape takes it to a whole new level! With so many gorgeous washi tape designs to choose from, you can perfectly complement your stitching and create a truly personalised display. Best of all, it's much easier than it looks. Here's how to do it!

What You'll Need

• An embroidery hoop in your chosen size
• Washi tape in your chosen design (we love a glittery one!)
• Your finished cross stitch piece
• A fingernail or small scissors for finishing

Step 1: Separate Your Hoop and Prepare the Outer Ring

Loosen the screw at the top of your hoop to widen the gap, then separate the two rings and set the inner hoop to one side. We'll only be decorating the outer hoop, the one with the screw, as the inner hoop sits behind your cross stitch and won't be visible once it's all assembled, so there's no need to worry about that one!

If your hoop has a sticker or label on it, peel it off now so that it doesn't show through the washi tape once it's applied.

Step 2: Start Wrapping the Washi Tape

Find the end of your washi tape and begin just above the metal hardware at the screw end of the hoop. Start on the outer surface of the hoop and wrap around two or three times over your starting point, this covers the raw end of the tape and ensures it's nice and secure, so it won't peel back later.

From here, you're going to work your way around the hoop, wrapping the tape at a slight angle and overlapping each wrap by roughly half the width of the previous one. This gradual overlap is what builds up a smooth, even coverage as you travel around the hoop.

Step 3: Keep Wrapping Nice and Steadily!

Continue wrapping your way around the hoop, pressing the tape firmly into place every three or four wraps to make sure it's sitting tight against the wood. Take your time here - it's a gentle, satisfying process and rushing it can lead to wrinkles or gaps.

As you reach the metal hardware on the screw section, make sure you cover it fully. You'll need to loop the tape carefully underneath the screw and over the metal, pressing it in firmly with your finger as you go. Covering this part neatly really does make the finished hoop look polished and professional.

Step 4: Don't Worry if the Tape Rips!

Washi tape is designed to be torn by hand rather than cut with scissors, so if it rips as you're working your way around, don't panic - it's absolutely fine! Simply start again from the inside of the hoop at that point, overlapping over the torn edge several times to secure it and carry on as before. No one will ever know!

Step 5: Finish Off Neatly

Once you've wrapped all the way around the hoop and you're happy with the coverage, bring your final wrap to an end on the inside edge of the hoop so that the tail of the tape is hidden and won't be visible from the front. To get a neat finish, run your fingernail along the edge of the tape to press it down flat - or use a small pair of scissors if you'd prefer a really precise finish. Give the whole hoop a good finger press all the way round to make sure everything is firmly in place.

Step 6: Reassemble Your Hoop with Your Cross Stitch

Now for the best bit, popping your finished cross stitch inside your beautifully decorated hoop! Loosen the screw on the outer hoop quite generously, as the washi tape has added a layer of padding around the inside and you'll need a little extra room.

Place your Aida fabric over the inner hoop, lining up your cross stitch design centrally within the hoop space - take a moment to make sure any key elements of the design are sitting straight and centred. Then press the outer hoop down over the top, tighten the screw, and gently ease the fabric taut as you would normally.

Finish off the back of your work however you prefer, and that's it, you're done!

Your Finished Display Piece

You now have a gorgeous, fully framed cross stitch with a beautifully decorated hoop that's ready to hang or display. With so many washi tape designs available, florals, geometrics, glittery, seasonal, you could create a completely different look for every project. It's also a brilliant way to use up leftover tape, and there's usually plenty remaining on the roll for another hoop or even a spot of gift wrapping!

Happy Stitching!