When it comes to hand embroidery, have you ever wonder about the question of how to choose embroidery hoop? All we need is a needle, floss, fabric, and a most important good embroidery hoop, especially for beginners. Hoops are important for hand embroidery as it can make your embroidery experience joyful or unhappy. Using hoop totally depends upon what type of embroidery you are doing. As few stitches don’t actually require using hoop but for a vast range of stitches, you do need embroidery hoops.
So, How to choose embroidery hoop? To choose the best embroidery hoop for your embroidery project you should consider various factors like the type of hoop such as wooden or plastic, hoop size based on the size of the embroidery project that you want to create, and also the material of hoop.
Selecting the right hoop depends on your project and it should be comfortable for holding while doing embroidery. It totally depends on one’s personal preferences.
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How to choose embroidery hoops? Let’s find out!
Finding the right embroidery hoop is key to a neat, beautiful, and joyful embroidery experience. Using embroidery hoops is the easiest way to keep tension on the fabric as it helps to hold the fabric tight while working. Hoops should fit around the design and tighten the fabric but not too loose and not too tight. There are a variety of types and sizes in hoops, not all hoops are the same. I have covered all the important factors one should know about Embroidery hoops.
What is an Embroidery Hoop?
An Embroidery Hoops is a frame-like hoop which is used to keep the fabric tight and maintain proper tension so that you can create beautiful designs on it. It is a traditional tool to do embroidery. It comes in two frames in which fabric is to be fixed and the outer frame comes with a screw which helps to tighten the fabric firmly. An embroidery hoop is adjustable, easy, and comfortable to work with.
Why do you need a hoop?
An Embroidery Hoops keeps the fabric tight so that you can maintain proper tension on your stitches. It holds the fabric firmly so that embroidery stitches don’t come out warped. Not every stitch requires hoops but it is best for beginners to use embroidery hoops so that they can carry on learning without getting irritated and unhappy.
While using hoop one should also consider the type of fabric as if you are using thin fabric and hoop is very tight or you are tugging the fabric too tightly it can cause the fabric to damage. Soo hoops should not be too tight nor too loose while working.
Also read: What Is The Best Fabric For Hand Embroidery?
What size embroidery hoop one should use?
Size of embroidery hoops depends upon your embroidery design but it is not always necessary to fit your design into the hoop in one go. If your design is too large then you can complete your embroidery in one section and then move to another unless you are using sequins into your design as sequins can crush in two rings of the hoops. The medium size of hoops is comfortable to handle and it maintains proper tension on the fabric for a longer period of time as compared to larger hoops.
Embroidery hoops come in various sizes and are generally small enough to control with one hand and rest in the lap. Read More on Wikipedia…
How to measure an embroidery hoop?
Round embroidery hoops are commonly used in hand embroidery and for round hoops, they are measured in diameter. Round hoops have two frames, the diameter is measured of the outer frame and the inner frame would be the smaller than outer frame.
Hand embroidery hoop sizes
Embroidery Hoops available from 4 inches to 14 inches in diameter and if you are a beginner and trying hoops for the first time we recommend you to use 5 inches – 7 inches as these sizes are comfortable and it covers a good amount of space for designs. However, advanced users can try any size of hoops deepening upon their preferences. Special designs may require larger or smaller hoops. For example, for a small piece of fabric like a napkin, you may require small hoop, and for larger projects, one may require larger hoop or hoop stand.
Types of embroidery hoops
There are various types of embroidery hoops and each hoop is designed for different projects.
Hand-held Hoops:
These hoops are portable, lightweight, and affordable. They are available in different sizes from 4″ to 14″. They are good for small projects.
Quilting Hoops:
These hoops are larger in size. Quilting Hoops range from 10 inches to 22 inches in diameter, however, 14 inches to 18 inches hoops are comfortable to use. These hoops are 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep and have a little rounded edge. These hoops are used for hand quilting projects.
Spring tension hoops:
Spring Hoops are made of two plastic rings and a metal ring with a spring adjustment on it. It is light in weight and does not leave any marks on the fabric, nor the creases. It is available in a variety of sizes and as a hand-held hoop it is portable.
Machine embroidery hoops:
Machine embroidery hoops prevent the fabric from bunching during machine embroidery, Always use stabilizer while embroidery, but be sure to purchase the hoop that is right for your machine.
Stand hoops:
Stand Hoop is very helpful as both hands are free and are perfect when you need both hands to sew. It is useful for larger projects like blankets, quilts, or rugs. Most stands have adjustable heights and allow the hoop to pivot as per preference. Many stands have a removable hoop for and some are foldable or collapsible for easy storage.
Q-snaps:
Q-snaps are lighter and more durable than other materials. It is made of PVC tube and the length of the tube can fit together into a square or rectangular shape. It has a separate frame inside that can be pushed onto each side of the frame to hold the fabric in place. Lay the fabric over the frame and gently push the clamps down stretching the fabric from the outside of the frame. It is portable and easy to store.
Flexi Hoops:
Flexi hoops looks like real wood but they are made from a flexible vinyl. It comes in two frames, these consist of a flexible outer ring that stretches over the fabric, to hold it in place, tightly and hard plastic inner ring. It has a beautiful look and can be double used as it is good for displaying finished embroidery projects.
Materials of embroidery hoops
Embroidery Hoops are crafted out of Wooden, bamboo, plastic, and metal. The selection of hoop materials depends upon personal preferences.
Wooden hoops: These hoops are the traditional embroidery tools made from wood. While selecting wooden hoop, quality is important as if you got the cheap hoop you many find the risk of having to crack while you’re stitching. Wooden hoops are not all excellently made, as sometime you may find gaps or even splinters in between two rings. Select the wood which is not layered or glued and has no gaps or wraps and both rings fit together tightly. It is lightweight, steady, and has tightening adjustable screws. Sometimes you may find good wooden hoops and sometime you may not find a good one.
Bamboo hoops: Bamboo Hoops have a smooth inner hoop. It is a good alternative of wooden hoops as It is made of one piece of fiber and thus it reduces the risk of splintering, splitting, and warping. Bamboo hoops are ideal for hand embroidery as it is lighter in weight. Outer frame stretches and fits on the inner ring tightly and locking the fabric firmly.
Plastic hoops: Plastic Hoops come in various bright colors and are consider flexible and durable. It is made of high-quality plastic and hence it is not prone to break.
Metal Hoops: Metal Hoops are not as beautiful as bamboo or plastic hoops but it works well. These are lighter as compared to wooden hoops and it fit together by tiny and strong spring. It holds the fabric very well as it is lined with cork. Metal hoops are very rarely used as it is prone to corrosion.
Shapes of embroidery hoops
Round: Round hoops are the very common shape, it is are available in many sizes and you can get it easily at any craft store. It is comfortable and easy to use.
Oval: Oval Hoops are less common but it is a good option for wider embroidery and quilting projects, Oval Hoop sizes are limited.
Square: Square hoops are good for machine embroidery.
Important Points to be considered while choosing embroidery hoops
- First, choose the size and material that would be comfortable for you to work with. You can try round or oval shapes depending upon the design of your embroidery project.
- While selecting the hoop, have a close look at the hoop and see it the hoop fits tightly or there is any gap in between two frames of the hoop. Avoid the hoop which has a gap in between as it can not fix the fabric equally and firmly on the ring.
- The hoop should fix tightly but it should not be too tight or sturdy so that it can stretch the fabric and cause a visible hole on the fabric while working with stitches. You need to select the right needle depending on the type of fabric you are using for the project.
How to use Embroidery Hoops?
Find simple steps to use an embroidery hoop
Step 1
Embroidery hoops have two rings, outer ring, and inner ring. The outer ring is removable and adjustable, to remove the outer ring just unscrewing it.
Step 2
Place the inner ring on the table. Now place the fabric over it, place the design of fabric in the center of the ring. Now keep the outer ring over the fabric and press it down till the inner ring is snug inside the outer ring. Now stretch the fabric from corners to make it taut, make sure the fabric is tight and firm.
Step 3
Screw the outer ring back on the top of the fabric and once more tug the corners of the fabric and once more make sure the fabric is taut.
Once the fabric is taut it is ready to embroider.
Best embroidery Hoops
The best embroidery hoops should be selected by considering multiple factors such as material, size, shape depending on the embroidery project. Please check out our recommended embroidery hoops.
I hope you have got the answer to the question How to choose embroidery hoops? Also, what factors you need to consider before selecting the right hoops for your project. If you find this article helpful then please share this article and write your suggestions or questions in the comment box below.
