in-the-hoop projects are all the rage in machine embroidery and a top choice for many holiday gifts. You can do everything from stitching a quilt or table runner to making a purse. These tips will help you have success when using batting in the hoop.

Choose Low-loft

Low-loft batting is easier to stitch and much easier to turn when making a purse or bag. Save the higher loft for larger quilt blocks.

Fiber Counts

Natural fibers or natural fiber blends, like cotton, wool, or bamboo, will traditionally wear better.

Use a Magnetic Hoop

Magnetic hoops like Snap Hoop Monster make hooping fabric, batting, and stabilizer so much easier, especially with quilting projects. Multi-positioning is a snap.

Top and Bottom Matter

Batting does have a top and bottom. The scrim side, a rougher side, should be used as the back of the batting and should be placed against the wrong side of the backing fabric. It contains a thin layer of stabilizer needle punched into the batting for extra strength and durability.

If you are seeing bearding, specks of the batting pulling through to the top of the fabric, you may have your batting upside down.

Hold Everything in Place

Multiple layers can be a handful. Using a temporary spray adhesive like 505 helps to hold everything flat while hooping and stitching. Magnets like SewTites work wonders when helping to keep layers in place.

You can also opt for a fusible batting, which is often suggested by embroidery designers for their specific projects.

Tacking everything with a basting stitch helps keep layers from shifting, particularly when you are floating batting or fabric.

Consider Battilizer

Bosal Stable-Batt is made up of both stabilizer and batting. It is a foam-type batting that works very well for quilted placemats, wall hangings, pillow tops, and totes.

Debbie SewBlest