DIY Gripper Strip Frame Cozy Cover

If you have been hooking or punching with a gripper strip frame, you know how sharp those gripper strip teeth can be! Find out how easy it is to make a gripper strip frame cozy cover that you can put around the frame to protect your hands and arms while you are hooking or punching.

Supplies for Frame Cozy:

Watch the Video:

Prepare the Supplies for the Cozy:

Choose Fabric:

I like to use denim for the lining of the cozy because it will provide more protection against the gripper strip teeth than a flimsy fabric.

I like to use soft flannel for the outer part of the cozy because that is the part that will be in contact with arms and hands while punching or hooking.

You can use other types of fabrics if you prefer, just make sure to use fabric strong enough that the teeth won’t poke right through.

Strip Length:

To determine how long to cut the fabric strips, measure the perimeter of the top of your gripper strip frame.

The top of DoodleDog Designs’ gripper strip frame with a peek-a-boo hole measures 50″.

You want to have extra length for seam allowances and some wiggle room so the finished cozy isn’t super tight.

I added 13″ to the perimeter measurement.

If your frame is really large, you will want to add a larger number to the measurement.

So, for my frame, the length of the denim and flannel strips needs to be 50″ + 13″ = 63″ long.

Strip Width:

The cozy works best if it is nice and wide so it can completely cover the top and wrap around the bottom of the frame’s top.

To determine how wide to cut the fabric strips, measure the top of one of the sides of the gripper strip frame.

Add extra to the measurement on either side of the frame and then double the number.

I measured “extra” to 3″ and doubled it to be 6″.

Cut the Strips:

So, for my frame, the width of the denim and flannel strips needs to be 3″ x 2 = 6″.

Make one strip of denim and one strip of flannel, each measuring 6″ x 63″ (or whatever your measurements are).

I didn’t have long enough pieces, so I pieced together my strips.

To do this, cut strips as long as you can and sew them together (right sides together) along the 6″ side.

Press all the seams to the same direction.

Cut the Elastic:

Cut two pieces of 1/2″ or 5/8″ wide elastic.

The length of each elastic piece will be 60% of the frame top’s perimeter measured earlier.

In my example, that was 50″.

So, I cut two pieces of elastic (50″ x .6 =) 30″ each

Sew the Strips Together:

Pin the two strips of fabric right sides together along each long side.

It will make adding the elastic easier if all of your pressed seam allowances are pressed in the same direction on both pieces of fabric.

Mark the fabric and place a pin 3/4″ over from the edge on each long side on each end. There will be four marks total.

These marks will be the starting and stopping points for sewing.

Use a half inch seam allowance to sew all the way across each long side, leaving 3/4″ unstitched on each end.

Turn the tube right side out and press the tube so it lays flat.

Make Elastic Casing:

Topstitch along each long edge about 1/8″ away from the seam, still leaving the 3/4″ on each edge unsewn.

Stitch 3/4″ away from the topstitching along each long side, again leaving the 3/4″ on each edge unsewn.

This will make a casing for the elastic.

Insert Elastic:

Insert the elastic into the casing.

I use safety pins on each end of the elastic to help pull the elastic through the casing.

Figure out which side of the seams the seam allowances are –

and start the elastic on the opposite end.

For example, if the seam allowances are to the left of the seams, start the elastic on the right end of the tube.

This will make putting in the elastic SO MUCH easier!

On both ends, sew the ends of the elastic 3/4″ in from the edge of the fabric attaching it to the denim fabric only.

Repeat this process to add elastic to the other side of the fabric tube.

Finish Gripper Strip Frame Cozy Cover:

Fold the fabric tube in half lengthwise with the denim sides together.

Fold back the flannel ends and pin together the two denim edges.

Sew all the way across the denim pieces.

Press the seam and press in the edges of the denim.

Press under 1/4″ on one of the flannel ends.

Fold that over the top of the other flannel fabric.

This will encase the seam in the denim you just made.

Pin the fabric and whipstitch the flannel together.

Enjoy Your Gripper Strip Frame Cozy:

The gripper strip cozy is now ready to use.

Be sure to check out our other rug hooking and punch needle tutorials!

Blessings~
Amy

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