Until two days ago I had never seen embroidery hoops used as frames, but ever since I have been seeing this trend everywhere. I love the simplistic casual style of using embroidery hoops to “frame” beautiful fabrics. They make great visual impact when grouped together. Apparently they are called Swatch Portraits.

Modish featured pics of a Kari’s gorgoues studio from Spring Chick Designs. Above her work table she has a grouping of swatch portraits that inspire her.

Author, Jackie, of Sweetie Pie Pumpkin Noodle recently posted pics of her daughter’s nursery. She used swatch portraits mixed in with some other art pieces to make a cute shabby-chic grouping.

If you want to make your own swatch portraits, check out this tutorial on Purl Bee. Fabric, a hoop, elmer’s glue, and some scissors is all it takes. This is a great project to use all those fabric swatches you love, but have no idea what to do with.

For beauty and function follow this tutorial on Sweet Jessie to make an embroidery hoop bulletin board. I love how Jessie used all found materials for her project. All you need is some cork, fabric, hoop, glue, and staples.

If you are not crafty you can purchase some swatch portraits on Etsy. The ones pictured at the top of this post and above left are from BungleBearDesigns. For a bulletin board version check out the hoop.dee.dos by LittlePrettyStudio pictured above right.