How to Use a Hoop for Machine Embroidery
Embroidered finishes, whether a pillowcase, towel or tablecloth, add pop and style to a home's décor. Most sewing machines have a few embroidery stitches available for edging or embellishment, but dedicated embroidery machines use detailed designs for bigger projects. Crafters can create personalized designs on some embroidery machines. This has made embroidery much faster, but you must use stabilizers and hoops correctly or problems can occur. Only use hoops made for your machine and always use stabilizer to stiffen the fabric prior to embroidering. Unstabilized material is likely to bunch, which will throw off the stitches and cause problems with the end product.
Instructions
-
-
1
Compare the size of the embroidery design to the hoop. Choose a hoop closest in size to the design.
-
2
Add stabilizer to the bottom of the fabric. One sheet will usually suffice, but if using a stretchy type of fabric, you might need more layers of stabilizer.
-
-
3
Loosen the screw at the top of the embroidery hoop and remove the inner hoop. Lay the fabric flat over the inner hoop.
-
4
Place the outer hoop over the fabric and inner hoop. A small amount of fabric should show beneath the hoop.
-
5
Tighten the top screw and check the tension of the fabric. The material should feel taut within the hoop.
-
6
Place the hoop on the machine and begin the stitch. Many machines will stitch without your assistance but until you get used to how the machine works, you should watch as it embroiders to correct any issues.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use a tear-away or iron-on stabilizer for cotton fabrics.
For stretchy fabrics, like terry cloth or fleece, add a water-soluble stabilizer to the top of the fabric to help keep the material stable.
Use a thin bobbin thread so the bottom thread color doesn't bleed through the main embroidery design.
After completion of the design, remove the jump stitches first and then the stabilizer.
Some stabilizer will remain beneath the embroidery design. Trim or tear the excess from around the design.
Fill the bobbin thread and top thread before beginning to embroider. Removing the hoop and reloading the bobbin and top threads can displace the design.
Always use stabilizer. Skipping the stabilizing step will result in wrinkled fabric and a messy design.
Always use embroidery thread since it is lighter weight and made for use with embroidery machines.
