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Embroidery is an intricate craft as an art form. Before your embroidery journey, you need an embroidery machine certainly, but that's not enough. Embroidery machine also requires three main accessories, including thread, needle and hoop. The embroidery hoop we will talk about later is one of the essential accessories.This blog will help you master basic knowledge about embroidery hoops.

1. Do I need an embroidery hoop to embroider?

The answer is YES! In your embroidery,an embroidery hoop is a must for most projects. It keeps the fabric taut and maintains consistent tension, so that you will have an even and precise stitching process. For some small projects, like cross-stitch, can be completed without an embroidery hoop, but using an embroidery hoop can improve the quality and efficiency of every kind of embroidery.

But you can also decide whether or not to have an embroidery hoop base on the following three factors .

• The stitching type
• Types of fabrics
• Your level of experience

1.1 The stitching type

For most kinds of hand embroidery, an embroidery hoop is helpful.It can held your fabric tightly and the tension make neater stitches. It can also prevent wrinkling in the spaces between stitches.

However some kinds of hand embroidery, like sashiko, a hoop is not necessary. For cross-stitch, using a hoop is not as a must, too. But even in this case, if you are a cross-stitch beginner, an embroidery hoop can also help you hold the fabric more easier, see the holes more clearly, and maintain even stitches.

For machine embroidery, especially for those businessmen who earn money by this. Embroidery hoops are important to the quality and efficiency of production .

1.2 The fabric

The fabric also has an impact .When you embroider on dark fabric or with special threads. An embroidery hoop help to see the smaller holes better.

1.3 Your experience

Some embroidery enthusiasts with a high level of skill can embroider without an embroidery hoop, but for beginners, an embroidery hoop is necessary.

An experienced embroiderer may embroider without an embroidery hoop for their own personal reasons,but for most people, using an embroidery hoop reduces the possibility of failure no matter your embroidery level. In my opinion, have an embroidery hoop as much as possible, it will give you a more enjoyable experience.

2. What are embroidery hoops made of?

Most embroidery hoops are made of wood, plastic or metal. Different situations use different embroidery hoops.But with the development of technology,a new type of embroidery hoop have appeared ------magnetic hoop.This type hoop is made from metal and plastic, has a great tension to fabric and easy to use.I use magnetic hoops in most embroidery projects for two reasons.

Plastic embroidery hoop is a cheap choice compared to other kinds of embroidery hoops. And also a good choice for beginners. Some plastic hoops have special edges that keep fabric very tight. If you want a plastic embroidery hoop ,make sure the strength of plastic hoops. If the plastic isn't strong enough, hoops can twist and bend.

Wood embroidery hoops’ width are different, from narrow to thick.The different widths accommodate different fabric, thinner hoops for thinner fabric, and thicker hoops for thicker fabric. So in your selection, you can choose according to your fabric thickness.

Different situations use different embroidery hoops. I recommend magnetic hoops personally.

3. What is a magnetic embroidery hoop?

Magnetic hoops are a new generation of regular embroidery hoop, they use magnets to keep the fabric tight . The magnets are embedded in the two halves of the hoop (as shown below) . When you put fabric between the two parts, the magnets will attract each other and hold the fabric tightly.

3.1 What’s advantage of magnetic hoops?

The magnetic hoops has many advantages.

1.Secure fabric taut :Magnetic hoops keep your fabric tight by using the strong magnets ,they will adjust automatically to different thicknesses of fabric .

2.Versatile:Magnetic hoops are capable for many fabric types and thick garments, thanks to the magnetic force .

3.Efficiency : Magnetic hoops save time ,because of its quick and easy setup.

4.Fast and simple fabric position: Magnetic hoop help you put fabric in right place easily . Differ from the regular embroidery hoop,there's no need to adjust the screws of the hoop,the magnetic force holds the fabric and adjusts to different thicknesses automatically . It saves you time.

5.Avoid hoop burn: Regular embroidery hoop can’t avoid hoop burn because of its working principle (which tighten the fabric from the sides)But the magnetic hoop avoid hoop burn because of the magnets.The magnets hold the fabric from the top and bottom.

6.Easy to use: Magnetic hoop are more easy to use than regular embroidery hoops,you will need less time for tightening and adjusting the hoop. They're friendly to beginners and those who embroidering on large, complex designs.

7.Used by most embroidery machines on the market: many company has produced magnetic hoops ,here I take MaggieFrames for example,the magnetic hoops of MaggieFrames can be used by almost all embroidery machines brands (including 200+ brands ),You can find a corresponding embroidery hoop for any type of embroidery machine you use.

In summary, magnetic hoops have many advantages that can make your embroidery easily,they provide an enjoyable hooping experience for you . If you're consider getting an magnetic embroidery hoop, MaggieFrame is a good option to you.

4. What are the most popular embroidery hoop sizes?

Embroidery hoops have three popular sizes for home use embroidery machines : 4 x 4, 5 x 7, and 6 x 10 inches. Some machines can use multiple hoop sizes, but others can only use one size.

Here is a chart for common hoop size.

4x4 inch	100 x 100 mm
5x7 inch	130 x 180 mm
5x12 inch	130 x 300 mm
6x10 inch	160 x 260 mm
8x8 inch	200 x 200 mm
8x10 inch	200 x 260 mm

For commercial and industrial hoop size ,they are different .Here also take MaggieFrame as an example.

MaggieFrame has 17 sizes of hoops.The ST-M0505,ST-M1010,ST-M1113,ST-M1212 are popular.

4.1 How to select your magnetic hoop size?

A good and easy rule to select is to leave at least 1 inch or two of space around your design in the hoop.It's pretty simple.I illustrate this by photo below.

You must ensure the distance between your design and the inner hoop greater than or equal to 1 inch.For embroidery hoops, the bigger your design, the bigger the hoop you'll need. For a small pattern(like a logo) ,a 4 x 4 hoop is enough. But for a large pattern (like a large landscape picture ), you'll need a big hoop to contain your design. Generally, a larger hoop gives you more room to work and see your embroidery process.

5. How to use a magnetic hoop with an embroidery machine?

Put the bottom hoop on a clean work surface, place your textile beside , line them up. Next, put the top hoop over the fabric to hold it in place between the bottom hoop and the top hoop. The fabric should be tighten and centered.

This is a bit brief, still confused? I will introduce the steps in detail.And you also can refer to your specific instructions of your machine model. Here I take MaggieFrame as an example.

1.Take off the outer ring of the hoop by gently pulling it apart, (because of the strong magnetism, be careful of your fingers ) Place the hoop securely in the desired area, ensuring the area is stable and won't be disturbed.

(The left is top hoop,the right is bottom hoop.)

2.Put the fabric on top of the bottom hoop and align it to the center. Make sure the fabric is neither too stretched nor too slack. It will automatically adjusts to various fabric thicknesses.

3.Fasten the fabric by using the magnetic hoop. The hoop will keep the fabric steady while you embroider.

4.Slide the magnetic hoop with the fabric into the embroidery machine.

5.After stitching, remove fabric from the hoop. Be certain to remove the hoop from the fabric first.

There are also something you should be careful .When you using magnetic hoops,ensure that your fabric is secured properly, as improper tension can result in uneven stitches, particularly intricate needlework designs. Furthermore,you also need a reliable attachment to the sewing machine to enhance stability.

Conclusion
Although an embroidery hoop is not a strictly necessary accessory , it is highly recommended for maintaining fabric tension and achieving even stitching. Embroidery hoops made of various materials, typically wood or plastic,and magnetic hoop which I mentioned as a new combination of them.

A magnetic embroidery hoop has many advantages as an innovative tool. Besides,many brands also provide magnetic hoops, considering all aspects, especially the price, I recommend MaggieFrame magnetic hoops.

As for the hoop sizes, they vary depending on the design and the machine's model. Choosing the right hoop also can greatly improve your embroidery experience.I hope this blog will help you handle the most hoop question.

For more information, please click www.sewtechstore.com

FAQ
1.How big is a 5x7 hoop?
130 x 180 mm
2.What size is a 4x4 hoop in mm?
100 x 100 mm
3.How many mm is a 5x12 hoop?
300 mm x 130 mm
4.How many mm is a 6x10 hoop?
160mm x 260mm
5.What embroidery machine has a 5x7 hoop?
Brother Embroidery Machine PE800
6.What embroidery machine uses a 6x10 hoop?
Brother NQ1600E,Brother NQ1700E
7.What is the largest embroidery hoop size machine?
Husqvarna Vikings Designer Diamond Largest Hoop Embroidery Machine
Brother Essence INNOV-IS VE2300 Embroidery Machine
8.What is the difference between a quilting hoop and an embroidery hoop?
A quilting hoop is similar to a big embroidery hoop.
From the structure ,it has two parts: a solid ring and a slightly bigger ring that opens. You can slip it around thick fabric and then tighten it with a screw and a wing nut.
From the material,quilting hoops are made of stronger, thicker wood so they can hold a heavy quilt without breaking.
From the size ,quilting hoops have different sizes from 10 to 20 inches wide.To find the right size, measure from your elbow to your hand when it's cupped -- that's the size hoop you should use,by this way, your hands can reach everywhere in the hoop.
From the shape,they are same, both quilting hoops and embroidery hoops are round and square . Round hoops are easier to use on your lap, while square hoops give you more space to quilt. It's up to you which you like.
9.How do you keep tension on an embroidery hoop?
For regular embroidery hoops, press the inner ring slightly and carefully place in the outer hoop. There are some tips for getting a good tension with an embroidery hoop.

• Pull the fabric evenly and firmly all around the hoop.
• Or you can pull one side first and then the opposite, like left and right. The aim is to stretch the fabric evenly, make it's tight but not distorted.
• After getting the fabric taut, tighten the embroidery hoop's screw , generally, just use your finger is enough. If the hoop is difficult to tighten, use a small screwdriver to help you.Use foam handle fits over the screw head is also acceptable.