This little trick will help keep your stabilizer from sagging in the hoop!
I stitch a lot of in-the-hoop (ITH) projects, many of which require floating pieces on no-show mesh or fabric-type water-soluble stabilizer. Both of these are extremely thin and can sag or loosen in the hoop, no matter how tight you make it.
The very nature of creating ITH projects means that you will need to remove and replace the hoop often. That also adds to the chance of your stabilizer slipping a bit during handling.
We have discussed hooping hacks, namely T-pins or double-sided tape as ways to help keep stabilizer and fabric from slipping in the hoop. I found another option that works really well - vet wrap or self-adhesive bandage wrap.
The thin, textured wrap grips to itself without leaving any adhesive residue behind and is available in a variety of sizes and pretty colors. I purchased the one-inch size to try.
Some recommended putting it in the corners but I don’t have issues with slippage there. The sides are my trouble areas, especially with larger hoops where the sides are extremely long.
I started by wrapping the inside hoop along the long sides, overlapping edges of the tape slightly. You don’t want to wrap it too thickly or your corners will be loose.
Now, hooped thin stabilizers, whether they are no-show mesh or fabric-type water-soluble, will stay secured in the hoop.
You don’t want to wrap the outer hoop, because the wrap may grip or drag on your embroidery machine surface instead of moving freely. Wrapping the inside hoop provides a layer of stabilizer between the wrap and the machine.
When the wrap needs changed, or you don’t need it when hooping several layers of fabric, batting, and stabilizer, just unwrap it.
How do you snug up embroidery in your hoop?
Debbie Henry
Sew Inspired by Bonnie
Jamie sowder - December 27, 2022
You can buy that cheeper at a home and ranch store like Cal Ranch, Bomgaars. It’s the same stuff.
Pamela Hansen - December 27, 2022
Hoop Grip is my favorite! It does the job wonderfully!
Debbie Henry - August 03, 2022
Thanks Patti!
Debbie Henry - August 03, 2022
Thanks for that info, Krystyna!
Debbie Henry - August 03, 2022
I love multi-use products, Kathleen!
Bonnie Welsh - August 02, 2022
Jeannette—You can purchase this wrap at most any pharmacy.
Patti Adams - August 02, 2022
Great tip ever.
Jeannette Williams - August 02, 2022
Where can you buy this kind of wrap?
Krystyna - August 01, 2022
I’ve used this method on my 6×10 hoop. Total life saver!!!
Thanks for the reminder. Oh, we call it Coban wrap, it’s s pretty handy if you have fur babies !
Kathleen De Verville - August 01, 2022
I use the T-pins. I got mine at Sally’s beauty supply Years ago when I was doing wigs. Thankfully they have more than one use.