Machine embroidery advances are being driven by the same things that drive the computer industry - High interest, Innovative ideas and human ingenuity. 

With so many new embroidery products on the market, one can hardly get to know what they do and why an item should be bought unless they can see a full demonstration.  This is why I encourage everyone to attend classes and programs for embroiderers so that you can keep up with it all.

I fell in love with this item at the Stitchin' Sisters event last month in San Marcos, California.  Because the concept of the embroidery hoop has not really changed much in hundreds of years, this idea really caught my eye.

Snap-Hoop^TM is the brain child of the Designs in Machine Embroidery people.   This trusted brand of multiple embroidery materials has created something that has great features.  

I purchased the magnetic hoop and used it on my first project.  It requires a few seconds to assemble using the 4 ruler strips that are included.  Just the rulers on the hoop were a great idea that I wish my other hoops had as well.

The rulers are self adhesive and were easy to apply.  You may also recognize the target stickers that are a great way to be sure your item will be placed where you want it.  I use them frequently; they are especially great if you want to position a design at an angle. 

Next, I placed one of my pre-cut pieces of stabilizer and quickly noticed that it was 4" too long for this hoop.  I cut several pieces of my own stabilizer to save time.  This hoop will be saving about a full piece of stabilizer for every 3 pieces I use.  That means I use 33% less stabilizer:  for every three that I would have gotten, I now get four pieces.  (Heavy duty math on this one!)

Next, I hooped my fabric.  I wanted to be sure that I was square on my garment and I can see that I am right on target.

Those extra markings on the rulers make it a snap to be in alignment!

Because I do so many of them, I know to use two pieces of stabilizer in the magnetic hoop for this fabric.  One attached to the hoop and one floating.  The floating is usually a piece left over from another project.

I just need to place the hoop on my machine.  The machine recognizes the hoop just like it recognized the original ones.

My project is done and perfectly aligned.

I will be doing a continuous embroidery such as an edge around a pillowcase.  The significant benefit will be that, after stitching the first set of designs, I will just lift the top frame and slide the fabric.  Replace the top frame and I will be ready to go!  Eileen has generously given this design for you to try for the endless hooping.  You can see my instructions for endless hooping at my blog.

Just like the pastic hoops, I did notice that really thin fabric like shears and organzas tended to slip a little.  I used a little painters tape, running it down the face of the bottom hoop for more grab.  That seemed to work just fine.

For more benefits, check the Snap-Hoop^TM videos right here at AnnTheGran.  Welcome to the 21^st Century hoop!

Note:  My last blog was about a Bridal FSL Glove.  One comment was that the reader had a shrinkage problem because the thread was cotton.  I had the same problem the next time I created the glove.   I solved that issue by using a thick (2") piece of Styrofoam and pinned (about 25 pins) the stretched glove to it while it dried.