Build Your Own Tufting Frame – Guide & Measurements

Building a tabletop tufting frame isn’t rocket science. But there are a few things you should keep in mind to make sure your tufting experience is smooth and enjoyable. This guide will walk you through the materials, measurements, and assembly process for a solid and reliable DIY tufting frame.

The type of wood is not as important as its dimensions and stability.
✔️ Deeper than tall: Gives better grip when clamped to a table

✔️ No bending: The wood must not flex when the cloth is stretched

✔️ Recommended size: 80 x 40 mm wooden slats (e.g., fir)

✔️ Double rows of gripper strips: Slightly offset placement helps create even tension
💡 Tip: Our tufting frames are 8 cm deep and 4 cm thick — stable and reliable.

Your tufting frame consists of four wooden parts:
2 Side pieces: Clamped between the top and bottom boards 1 Top board: With an overhang on the left side and 2 eyelets for guiding the yarn 1 Bottom board: With overhangs on both sides to clamp the frame to your table

Always leave at least 5 cm (2 inches) of space between the edge of your design and the inner edge of the frame to allow for proper tension.
Example:

Your rug should be 50 x 70 cm

👉 Frame’s inner dimensions: at least 60 x 80 cm
Max height:

We don’t recommend going higher than 90 cm with a simple tabletop frame, as it may become unstable without extra supports.

Clean and accurate cuts are essential. Get your side pieces cut at a hardware store. Avoid cutting by hand or with a jigsaw, as the edges won’t be flat enough and your frame may wobble.
Detailed Measurements:

Part Measurement Formula

- Side pieces (2x)Width (B) + 2 × 5 cm (spacing)

- Top board (1x)Length (L) + 2 × 5 cm + 2 × 4 cm (wood thickness) + 15 cm (overhang for eyelets)

- Bottom board (1x)Length (L) + 2 × 5 cm + 2 × 4 cm + 2 × 8 cm (overhang for table clamping)

You’ll need:
✔️ 8 matching wood screws

✔️ 2 metal eyelets (screw-in)

✔️ Wood glue for attaching gripper strips
How to assemble:
Screw the frame parts together as shown
Apply a bit of wood glue and nail the gripper strips in place
Important: Nail angle must face outward!
Now clamp the finished frame securely to your worktable using screw clamps – and you're ready to tuft!

With the right wood, exact measurements, and some care during assembly, you can create a sturdy, practical tufting frame that will support all your creative rug projects. Enjoy tufting with full tension and less frustration!