Hoop Malfunction: How Basting Stitches Saved the Day!

It’s happened to all of us. A project pops out of the hoop before embroidery is done. Here is how to fix it on any embroidery machine!

First, calm your panic. Most of the time, you can save the project. That is especially true if basting stitches have been used.

Why Basting Stitches are Important

We have seen how using a basting box in embroidery helps hold layers of fabrics and stabilizers in place. They are also useful when stitching thicker items like towels that require a topper. If you are stitching on mylar, basting stitches hold the film in place.

With multi-hooped quilt blocks, basting boxes help with proper alignment. Applique designs, like all of Bonnie’s buddies, use a type of basting stitch for placement and tackdown of fabric or GlitterFlex.

Most in-the-hoop (ITH) projects use placement-type stitches to baste batting or fabric to hooped stabilizer. That is the kind that was most helpful to me.

Fixing a Hoop Malfunction

There are various reasons for hoops to pop apart mid-project. Whether your design included a basting box or you added one before beginning. They can be a lifesaver.

The ITH project I was working on included a placement and tack-down stitch for adding and trimming the batting. It also tacked down the fabric. I used that stitch as registration guide for getting the partial project lined back up in the hoop.

Hoop a new stabilizer. Run the tack-down stitch for the batting directly onto the stabilizer. Remove the hoop from your machine and place thumb tacks up through the back at each of the four corners.

Lay the hoop, right side up, on a flat surface. Take the partially stitched block, spray the back of it with a temporary adhesive, and place each of the four basting box corners over the corresponding thumb tack.

Important! Make sure to look at your design screen to be sure that you have the block arranged correctly in the hoop. You don’t want it to be upside down!

Carefully remove the thumb tacks, place the hoop back on the machine, and run the stitches you missed.

Disaster averted! The final quilting for this block stitched out perfectly. I hope this helps you some time!

Debbie Henry
Sew Inspired by Bonnie