Do I need to use a frame or can I get away without it? I ask myself this every time I start a larger cushion project, especially if its 16" - 18" inches. There are pros and cons to using a tapestry frame. Lets start with the pros first!
A tapestry frame can help to keep the tension of your wool even as you work over the canvas. Also, it keeps your work out of harm's way ie. you're less likely to have a terrible accident and spill a cup of coffee over the whole thing, which I have done myself by the way.
You won't be tempted to fold it and stuff it into a bag when you're having a tidy up as its in the frame so it's fine. Because its safely in the frame, ready to be worked on at all times, it's probably easier to do a quick 10 minutes of stitching here and there throughout the day. It's nice to admire you're work as it progresses and a frame definitely makes that a bit more of a thing.
I actually only have one frame that I use to work on with a larger canvas. Here's a picture of it with no canvas at the moment. (I'm very happy with the foxgloves that appeared recently!) This one was second hand (I spotted it at an auction) and managed to pick it up for £10! So another pro is that they are fairly inexpensive if you keep an eye out for them on Ebay or charity shops etc.
The tapestry kits that I design and sell tend to use long stitch, diagonal long stitch or cross stitch, so the diagonal pull of the wool is not such an issue as more standard tapestry kits that use tent stitch. These canvases can get very skewed on the diagonal so I would definitely recommend a frame in that case and use one myself. Also, more generally, I think working on a frame not only keeps the tension even, but it also prevents you from pulling the wool too tight and potentially increasing the size of the holes in the canvas
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Now for the cons. If you're feeling lazy (as I often do) it is a bit of a faff sewing your canvas onto the frame but in relation to the number of hours you will be stitching, it's not a lot to ask, so only you can make that decision.
It can be a little awkward to use a frame if you want to get really comfy on the sofa to watch the TV (I finished one cushion super quickly when I binge-watched a) Game of Thrones and another watching b) Bridgerton 😂. But, as with most tapestry frames you can unscrew the frame itself and separate it from the stand which I do actually do when I'm in a more relaxed mood.
It is easier to take your frameless work with you if you are going on a long train journey or on holiday for instance. It can start to get a little ragged, so if I was going frameless I would make doubly sure that I bound the raw canvas edges to prevent it from fraying badly.
I can stitch more quickly without a frame as I make a stitch in one movement ie in and out in one go. With a frame, I push the needle down with one hand and pick it up from underneath with the other, so it is a bit more time consuming.
I hope this has helped. The long and short of it is that you don't need a frame to do tapestry, and you won't spoil your tapestry if you don't invest in one. However, if you do a lot of needlepoint work, it is something you might want to try. You might love it!
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