Tufting Frame
A tufting frame holds your primary cloth taut so the gun can move freely and your stitches stay even. Frames come in tabletop form for clamping to a table, and cloth grippers are available separately for makers building their own frame. Choose by the size of rug you plan to make.
Choosing a tufting frame
A frame holds your primary cloth taut so the gun can move freely and your stitches stay even. The main choice is size: the frame sets the maximum rug you can make in one piece. A tabletop frame clamps to a table and suits small to medium rugs, which covers most makers starting out. Pick a frame a little larger than the biggest rug you plan to make.
How do cloth grippers work
Grippers are the strips of angled pins that hold the cloth to the frame. You stretch the cloth over them and press it down, and the pins grab it and keep it drum-tight while you tuft. If you are building your own frame, grippers are available separately so you can size it exactly to your space.
Why frame tension matters
A loose cloth is the most common reason a first rug looks uneven. If the frame lets the cloth sag, stitches pull out of line and the pile sits unevenly. A rigid frame and tight cloth are the foundation of a clean result.