In both canvas work and surface embroidery an embroidery hoop or frame can be used to stretch the material and ensure even stitching tension that prevents pattern distortion.
From the en.wikipedia.org
It's a stop-frame animation of medieval-esque embroidery.
From the guardian.co.uk
We also agree there is much C20 fiction in America by women that reminds one of intricate embroidery in a 5 inch by 5 inch frame.