Ok so with the spring tension hoop you can use it either way with the tongs of the inner ring on top or on bottom. I use it with the tongs down and my hand wrapped round them. This way the floss does not get tangled in the tongs as I am stitching. To get the metal inner ring you squeeze the tongs together place it down on to the fabric and release it into the outer ring.
If you would like I can to a tutorial on the spring tension hoops in our LIVE this coming Thursday. It is on our Embroidery.com Cross Stitch & Hand Embroidery Facebook Page and YouTube Channel at 7pm MST. I will go over my preferred placement, size and just all things Spring Tension Hoop related.
I hope this helps and feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.
Susan H.
I have never used a spring hoop before and am quite frustrated. I am having difficulty trying to figure out the layout. If I put the fabric over the outer ring, then squeeze the inner ring inside the outer ring, is that the underside? I also am having trouble squeezing the inner bars to get it to fit in the outer ring.