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Choosing a Hoop Shape
Each hoop shape has benefits and drawbacks.
Hoop Shape
Traditional Round
Traditional Square
Specialty (Clamp & Frames)
Choosing the Appropriate Hoop Size
The ideal hoop for an embroidery design is one that just fits. The design should fall just within the hoop
limits. This removes the influence of excess material from around the design and can help with registration
(lining up), puckering, and overall stitch quality.
Occasionally there will be obstacles to using the smallest hoop possible for a design. It could be that a button
is in the way, or a seam would fall right into the hoop. Adjusting your hoop size to better accommodate the
material may be necessary.
Hoop Construction
Some of the larger hoops come in either wood or plastic. The wooden hoops are double-walled and have
more grip than the plastic. However, the inner and outer wooden hoop must remain aligned. The outer hoop
cannot be rotated for easier hooping or tightening. Each set of hoops will have a registration number printed
on both hoops to help keep them aligned.
Specialty Hoops
Specialty hoops such as clamps and frames that use adhesives are useful when dealing with difficult
placements on garments or materials that are hard to hoop.
Benefit
Even tension across the fabric.
Great hoop for most left-chest
designs.
Larger sew fields.
Tend to be easier to hoop quickly.
Better for difficult-to-hoop
materials and/or placements.
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Drawback
Limited number of sizes. Larger
hoops must be used for square-
shaped designs.
Tension is often tighter in the
corners and looser on the edges.
Does not hold the material as
securely as a traditional style
hoop.
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