Avoiding This Newbie Mistake - The Hoop Monster

In Part 1, Puckering, Crooked Placement and Bad design Selection

In Part 2, No Discovery Sew, No Organized with CatalogXpress or other organizational software/plan 

I read a lot of newsletters on different things.  One of them is blogging.  The last one said, "Stop apologizing for your knowledge."  I had to think about it a little bit, but it is true, while I am not an expert in many things, the issues I bring to you are from my personal experiences - both good and bad.  Make no mistake, I learn from every project I do.  Have I done every mistake that can be made?  LOL, probably not.  I am more a test participant and then I share that information with persons who love machine embroidery as much as I do. 

Always feel free to put your 2 cents worth in - - make that $2 worth of your experiences.  I want to know how others do tasks and better still WHAT NOT TO DO! 

  • HOOPING: Experienced embroiderers understand hooping because of their mistakes but a newbie does not have that luxury. If you were to search the Internet for hooping techniques, you would get about a dozen or more places on how to hoop. You will also get about 1.3 million sites to sell you hooping aids.

Let's talk about how to determine your hooping method!

  • There is no one hooping method for every project. No surprise there but how do you determine the hoop technique if you are new or if the fabric is new to you? Most of the sites you may have found on Google will tell you one method. Wrong! There are multiple methods and some are downright bad for your project.
  • All the hooping aids in the universe won't help if you don't have a good idea of what to do for the amount of tension for the fabric.
  • There are some things you can do until you are more acquainted with the right hooping method for your project.

Here is what I recommend:

  • Always do a discovery sew. Nothing can be substituted for that. Use the fabric, or as close as you can come to it, in your test. Use the stabilizer appropriate for the fabric. A general rule of thumb is - the heavier the fabric, the less stabilizer it will need. For instance - denim can sometimes be sewn without stabilizer but, batiste, a semi-sheet fabric will need a lot more stabilizer. I also have felt (this is my opinion - humble but loveable) that it is easy to under-stabilize your project, causing all sorts of problems. However, it is really difficult to over-stabilize a fabric because it can always be removed.
  • Be sure you are using the smallest hoop for your project. 
  • Next, decide if you are going to hoop the stabilizer only or the fabric with the stabilizer. This is important because some fabrics will be damaged by the hoop. Some of those are: leather, velour, silk or any napped fabric. You must decide for yourself if your fabric should be stabilized. If in doubt - don't hoop.

My personal favorite hooping method - yours may be different - and again, please let me and others know.  We may find one works better than another and we want to be able to do the best job possible with as little time and money as possible.

  • If I am going to use a cut or tear away. I begin by cutting the stabilizer about 3 - 4 inches each way larger than the hoop I will be using.  To be stabile, stabilizer needs to have the strength and size to do the job right.  Skimping on stabilizer is short sighted and can possibly result in a failure of the stabilizer.
  • The next thing I like to do is to place the stabilizer in the hoops appropriately and tighten the screw.  This creates a cup like appearance in the stabilizer and when it is ready to be actually used, the folds are already present and it just slips into the hoop.  Unhoop the stabilizer.
  • If I am going to place my fabric on top of the stabilizer and hoop both I use a light coating of the Lapel Sticks on the stabilizer. It adheres the fabric beautifully and does not remain forever! I don't have to baste the fabric when I use it either.

 

 

  • Next, I place the inner hoop over the fabric, stabilizer and outer hoop.  I make sure that the outer hoop is very loose at this point.  I don't want to have to press the inner hoop at all.  I want to 'drop' it into the outer hoop. 
  • I am 'finger' pressing the fabric around the hoop but not really making it a finished, ready to embroider placement. Then I tighten the hoop to sewing firmness.
  • I may have a fabric that has some pinches or tucks that I can see.  I will loosen the screw enough to just allow reasonable movement of my fabric, usually about 1.5 turns.  I gently massage the fabric where it belongs and then reinsert the top hoop for the final, approximately, 3/4 turn. 

What I have done is created a fabric that is in its most natural state.  It is secure to the stabilizer and ready to sew.  Some will disagree with me and say that the fabric should be 'taut.'  That is great, but I am more interested in the fabric being as the designer intended for it to drape or lay. 

It works for me 99% of the time.  It works for me with the fabric not being inside the hoop as well.  Outside the hoop, the fabric already is in its position as the designer planned. 

If you are embroidering a lot, I do highly recommend Snap-Hoop, in fact, it was Snap-Hoop that allowed me to realize that hooping fabric in its native state is best for most situations.  Never forget that the best tools make the best projects.  AND, Snap-Hoop has new sizes for different machines, Check It Out!!  (Did I mention that they are on SALE?Whisper)

Please do give us your thoughts.  My method may or may not work for you. 

 

Comments (11) -

I haven't hooped fabric in years but I do use a basting stitch, my machine has one built in.


Also I use a topping on everything I do.  I used to only use one on towels, fleece etc but not I use it all the time.  It does make a big difference in the finished project.


Marge


Marge - I totally agree, I hoop very little these days.  Doing so does automatically allow for the fabric to lay naturally.


Your tip about topping (hmmm. . . . tip topping?) is excellent.  After I complete a blog, I often think that I should have added this or that and your topping tip is right on!  I have been using a 'heat away' type and it tears off perfectly.  If a small spot remains, it is either hard to see or it adds a little sparkle (because it is like a plastic wrap).  I seldom iron it away.


Thanks for your input.  All ideas, questions and thoughts are welcome.


Pat, The Avid Embroiderer


twilliams7570 3/24/2012 3:57:20 PM

I am a newbie and I appreciate your knowledge and willingness to share it!!  I was wondering about the snap hoop, whether to buy it or not and if fit really worked as well as shown on videos.  Also a question, if you don't hoop things, what do you do? I hate to sound soooo um well, newbie, but how do you not hoop?  That is the worst part for me and trying to get everything straight. lol  Thanks again


Tina


Tina - We love newbies for a lot of reasons, one of which is that we were like you at one time!!!


I love my snap-hoop because it makes it easy to hoop things and automatically allows the fabric to lay as it should.  Another reason is that the thumb screw on my older hoop has caused a calous on my index finger.  I have difficulty making that screw just right because of the poor strength in my hand. The 'fitted' hoop can cause hoop burn on a fabric. The snap hoop is magnetic and strong enough for most fabrics.  The rulers give you a better view of the center of the design. If my fabric is very light such as a voile, I can place a small piece of painters tape because it is just slightly abraisive to hold it more securely.  Unhooping is easy as well, just lift and go.  You need less stabilizer because it does not have to be larger than the hoop.  


I don't know how many answers that is, but I use both my snap-hoop (http://www.annthegran.com/Search.aspx?q=snap-hoop">www.annthegran.com/Search.aspx) more than I use my regular hoop.


If you are using the plastic and screw type hoop, continue to do so until you are ready to purchase (and they are on sale now) the snap-hoop.  


Getting the best results is the direct event from having excellent tools.  I wrote a blog on the snap-hoop -- www.annthegran.com/.../...1st-century-hooping.aspx">www.annthegran.com/.../...1st-century-hooping.aspx


Is it perfect?  Probably not for everything.  Is the original screw type perfect? - You know the answer to that.


Pat, The Avid Embroiderer


twilliams7570 3/24/2012 6:49:07 PM

Thank you so much for your answer!!  It did answer my question.  I too have a problem with the screw type. lol  Well, guess Ill be getting a snap hoop some time soon!!!


Thank you again


Tina


Don't forget that birthdays, Mother's Day and lots of other holidays are great times to let people know you are interested in getting a snap-hoop!


A few years ago, I let it be known that I wanted to get a new - upgraded - better machine.  I know my kids could not afford it.  However, they pooled their money and gave me enough so that I could buy what I wanted when I added the money I had saved.


They want you to be excited about your gift and you do as well.  Never make them guess!!!


Pat, The Avid Embroiderer


Pat I am using the same topping as you and I love it.


Tina, all you have to do is just lay whatever you are working on, on the hoop.  You can use cross-hairs to make sure everything is straight  and then line up the project with the cross-hairs on the foot of the machine.


I do a LOT of embrodery and just use the hoops that came with my machine.


Marge


Thanks for all the help.  I have a questions about the snap hoop......I was told to never have anything magnetic around my computerized embroidery machine as it can effect the settings, programming etc.  but yet this hoop is magnetic????


This is becoming one of those "old wives tales".


Don't worry about the hoop being magnetic. When used properly,  it will not affect the computer components of the embroidery machine.


I do agree with Pattiann, if magnetic items were such a problem, it would affect more than your embroidery machine.


Don't put a heavy duty magnet directly on it, just be reasonable about care of your equipment.  It should not be damp either, but some days it is 99% humidity.  


Reasonable care of your machine is expected.  If you decided to let it out in the rain, you may be in for a lot of trouble!


Pat, The Avid Embroiderer


bayshore1547 4/8/2012 6:20:53 PM

If I am hooping with two layers I don't cut into two seperate pieces I fold it in half.  I also make it just an inch or two longer than I need .  When the project is done and I cut or tear away the excess I usually have pieces big enough to use when I am using my 4X4 hoop


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