Have you ever wondered about using magnetic embroidery hoops? I did some research and will share what I discovered about magnetic hoops for machine embroidery!
When I did my research, I found Snap Hoop Monster magnetic hoops from Designs in Machine Embroidery. Editor Eileen Roche invented these hoops.
Snap Hoop Monster (SHM) is a pretty powerful no-slip magnetic hoop that works well with quilting and embroidering on thicker items, such as a quilt. I will say that I really liked how it handled my quilt.
Choosing the Right Size
The hoops are available in various sizes depending on the machine. Brands include Baby Lock, Bernina, Brother, Husqvarna Viking, Janome, Paff, and a special SHM for Quick Snap frame owners.
Normally, when I embroider a design, I pick the hoop size closest to the design size. If I had a 5 by 7 design, I would pick a 5 by 7 hoop. However, if I wanted to stitch an all-over pattern, I knew that I had to align up my start and stop points exactly. Edge-to-edge quilting (which is the same as an all-over pattern) requires a bit of fudge room and these magnetic hoops are great for that.
If items in regular hoops aren’t hooped right, you have to start over again. With magnetic hoops, once you get your project hooped and over to the machine, you can make tiny adjustments for proper design alignment.
My personal preference was that I wanted to be able to move the design element in the hoop. Therefore, I went with the biggest hoop for my machine, which was 9.5 by 14. Even though my design was only 7 by 12, the larger hoop would allow me to adjust more with all-over quilting designs.
I purchased my SHM from Sewing Machines Plus. No affiliation, it's just where I found the best price. I didn't have to pay tax because it was being shipped to me out of state and, if you do a Google search on their site for coupons, first-time buyers can get 10% off.
Well Made
It came in a nice box, was really well packaged, and had this divider between the two magnetic pieces. They recommend that you store the hoop with the divider. It also comes with some ruler labels that you stick on yourself. For the price, I was a little disappointed that I had to take the time to measure the hoop and get the ruler strips centered on the horizontal and vertical sides of the hoop. It wasn't hard to do, just take your time and make sure you get it nice and centered because you want those measurements to be accurate in your hoop.
When you take the hoop apart, you will see that two sides of it have little notches so that it's easy to get your fingers in there to separate the hoops from each other, which I thought was really nice and well-designed. Also a nice design element is the very thin, soft pads on the bottom of the hoop so that your machine does not get scratched.
I would love to see these pads on our original hoops. When I worked at a dealer, I had customers come in where a design was actually etched on the bed of their machine from being scratched by the bottom of a hoop, so I'm really pleased to see that the Designs team put little pads on there to protect our machines.
Eileen Roche did a video on her YouTube channel that I watched. She said that if you're having trouble getting the hoop to slide and easily connect to your machine, you can take some sandpaper and just lightly sand the hoop edge where it attaches to your machine. Mine did not have any issues whatsoever.
Very Easy to Use
These hoops are easy to use. Separate frames. Place stabilizer on top of the bottom frame. Add your fabric on top.
Stand up the top frame on its edge
and lay it over until the magnets to connect.
Now, this goes against everything you’ve heard about hooping. With magnetic hoops like these, you can pull the stabilizer and fabric snug in the hoop to remove wrinkles. (I simulated hooping a larger piece of fabric by adding fabrics on either end.)
They are especially useful for hooping thick items, like towels, and for quilting (more on that later).
See the full video here.
May your day be blessed with perfect stitches and GlitterFlex!!
Bonnie Welsh - December 14, 2020
Celia—You need to get ahold of whomever you bought the hoop from or DIME (who makes the hoop) and see why it’s not working as it should. The Destiny 2 has a sewing field of 9.5×14. I’m sure DIME can help troubleshoot their hoop for you.
Celia - December 14, 2020
I bought a 9.5 × 14″ Monster Snap Hoop, but I cannot use it because it keeps giving the message “This embroidery frame cannot be used” . I have a Destiny 2, so I can’t figure out why I keep getting this message. From what I understand, the hoop is compatible with the Destiny 2. Can someone help?
Bonnie Welsh - June 23, 2020
Dianne—If the hoop is larger than the fabric area you will need to create a temporary border or extension to widen the area so there’s no gaps. Ameilia Scott has covered this technique very well in her various Edge to Edge Quilting books. I’ve also sent you a private email. =)
Dianne - June 19, 2020
Bonnie I am looking to purchase one of these frames and I can’t make my mind up on size. Like you I want to do all over quilting but also use it for adding embroidered blocks to a quilt. I was thinking of the 9.5×9.5 or 9/14 but don’t know if I can use that size hoop for both projects. If the hoop is larger than the fabric does that create a problem? Can only buy one and I don’t want to make a mistake. Thanks for your help. Dianne
Bonnie Welsh - January 27, 2020
Joann—I would check with your dealer or the makers of the magnetic hoops (DIME) to see which one you should purchase. =)
Joann - January 24, 2020
I own a 790 bernina, which hoop should I buy? Thank you. Joann
Bonnie Welsh - August 26, 2019
What type of fill are you looking for? I know you mentioned an all over fill but are you wanting a quilting type design or a knock down stitch to embroider on top of for something like towels?
S.Greenside - August 24, 2019
I have been searching the web for the back ground fills for in the hoop . I have a Brother Dream Weaver, but it didn’t come with any back ground or all over fills. Does anyone know of a site.
Bonnie Welsh - June 13, 2019
Renee—There’s one video for the magnetic hoops that’s broken down into three blog posts. So the video reference for the three blogs is the same, yes. =)
Renee - June 12, 2019
Are all 3 videos on the magnetic hoops the same?? I quickly browsed through the photos and they look the same???
Bonnie Welsh - May 29, 2019
There’s a link to the full video just above my signature at the end of the sentence that reads, “See the full video here”.
cathy leporati - May 29, 2019
I recently purchased the magnetic hoop and it really is so much easier. I haven’t used it much so I am still getting comfortable using it. I couldn’t find the video, but I will look on youtube.
Bonnie Welsh - May 28, 2019
Cheryl—The Luminaire and Dream Machine use the same hoops. Personally, I’d get the 8×8 instead of the 5×7 just to have a little more wiggle room for quilting. If, however, you’re using it just for designs, you might want the 5×7 for a little stronger hold of your design.
Cheryl Thompson - May 28, 2019
I called the phone number of Sewing Machines plus and he couldn’t tell me if it would work for the luminaire from Brother. I wanted the large one Also would it be better to get a 8 × 8. Instead of a 5 × 7 for more possibilities if I wanted a smaller one too. But I need to know if they work on the Brother 8500 Dream Machine and Brother. Luminaire before I’ll pay that kind of money.
Bonnie Welsh - May 26, 2019
Shirley—That’s a good question regarding pacemakers. I honestly don’t know the answer to that one. I’d contact DIME (the maker of the hoops) and ask them or ask your doctor.
Kandy - May 25, 2019
I ordered an 8X8 for my Destiny and I love it. I shopped around as well. I did have to use the sand paper to allow the frame to fit. But it wasn’t bad. I too wished the measuring tapes would have been on the frame for the amount I had to pay for it. And I did order it from Sewing Machines Plus and had a coupon but had to wait a while before they had any to ship. Which was a disappointment. But it’s still my go to hoop.
Shirley Moore - May 25, 2019
What are Pacemaker restrictions with these magnetic hoops? Thanks
linda brown - May 25, 2019
Joy Joslin I had some issues with my Viking recognizing the hoops from DIME. I found a workaround that I use often. I hoop my magnetic hoop, place in the machine and machine says to insert proper hoop. I remove the prepared magnetic hoop and slide on an empty “regular” hoop of the proper size. Push go and then swap for the magnetic hoop. Works great. Every now and then I have to do it again if I have backed up stitches, etc. but now it is second nature and worth the trouble to be able to use these amazing hoops!
Bonnie Welsh - May 22, 2019
Judy—They’re not cheap. I don’t carry them so I don’t have pricing on all the various sizes that the hoops come in. However, I believe they run around $150-200 for these specialty hoops. At Sewing Machines Plus I was able to get a coupon for 10% off by searching for “Sewing Machines Plus Coupon” in my Google search bar. =)
Judy Goulet - May 21, 2019
What is the price of the hoops?
Bonnie Welsh - May 21, 2019
Colleen—Great to hear! I enjoy mine as well! =)
Bonnie Welsh - May 21, 2019
Carolyn—Yes there’s a link to the full video just above my signature on the blog post. It says, “To see the full video, click here” above.
Bonnie Welsh - May 21, 2019
Joy—Good to know! Keep those receipts! If you paid by credit card you should be able to look that up as proof of purchase too. So far so good with mine. How long ago did you purchase? I know they’ve made some changes to the hoop(s) from their earliest versions. =)
Bonnie Welsh - May 21, 2019
Brenda—Just take it slow til you get the hang of it. Just like anything new, it might take a little practice to feel completely comfortable with it. =)
colleen moran - May 21, 2019
I own 2 and love both I use a brother. I sold my first brother with one and the lady loves hers as she has a sight problem. great for towels i just lay on top and carefully pin in place
Carolyn Toczek - May 21, 2019
Is this on a video? I have cataracts and have a hard time reading and listening is easier for me right now? I checked on utubevand didn’t see this on magnetic hoops.
Joy Joslin - May 21, 2019
I have the monster one for the Brothers. When I first got it all was fine. BUT now I can NOT use it because it keeps giving me messages. I brought it and my machine to the repair shop and they could not solve the problem. They said it was because it was not made by Brothers so it does not fit properly. I no longer have the purchase slip from an Arlington shop in order to get it repaired by DIME. I ALWAYS stored it properly!! Oh, others on the chat ,also, have had the problem, too.
Brenda Jerles - May 21, 2019
Thank you for showing your experience with these hoops! I just purchased one from Sewing Machines Plus as well. The largest I could get for my machine was a 7×12. I am eager to try it for edge to edge quilting. I can’t wait to see what you think.