Hooping 101: How to Hoop for Machine Embroidery

Hooping is one of the most challenging parts of machine embroidery and I’ll show you how it’s done!

Hooping is an essential part of machine embroidery. As with anything, it takes practice and everyone has their own method. I’m just sharing one of them so be sure to comment with your own method. These photos show and refers to hooping fabric, but the same method would be used when hooping pre-made items.

Start by ironing your fabric. Wrinkles will affect your stitch quality and alignment. I like to use spray starch when ironing my fabric to add a little stiffness and body to any fabric, thus, reducing puckers. Mark vertical and horizontal centering lines  that will make it easier to center fabric in the hoop.

Using the smallest hoop for your design will also help to keep fabric and stabilizer at its best. Make sure you have your bottom/outer hoop aligned properly. A hoop mat makes it easier by keeping the hoop from sliding around.

Loosen the hoop screw to allow room for the fabric and stabilizer. Cut a piece of stabilizer slightly larger than the hoop size. Don’t skimp on stabilizer. At least an inch should stick out around the outside of the hoop. Layer your stabilizer and fabric (right side up) to the side of your bottom hoop.

Place your top hoop over the fabric and stabilizer, lining up centering marks on the hoop with the crosshairs marked on the fabric. When centered, grab the fabric and stabilizer on each side of the hoop, along with hoop edges, lift them up and place them in the bottom hoop.

If fabric and stabilizer don’t want to stay put while hooping, spray the back of the fabric with a temporary adhesive made for machine embroidery and smooth it onto the stabilizer. You can also add double-faced tape to the flat back side of the inside hoop to help position and hold the fabric and stabilizer layers in place.

Press the hoop in place. It should fit snugly. Stabilizer and fabric should be smooth and taut.

On the back, stabilizer should also be smooth. Any wrinkles affect stitch quality.

Make sure the two hoops fit snugly together. If not, take them apart, slightly tighten the outside hoop, and hoop again. Crosshairs should line up with center markings on the hoop. If they don’t, rehoop.

What tips do you have for easier hooping?

Debbie Henry
Sew Inspired by Bonnie