Embroidery is a delicate art form. If you would like to get perfect embroidery results, you should acquire the using technique of embroidery hoop and pay special attention to details. After that, you must make sure that the embroidery hoop you used is perfectly matched with your embroidery machine. Doing that, you can ensure your fabric can be stretched tight enough. However, if you want to know can you put a larger embroidery hoop to your embroidery machine to handle those larger embroidery projects, then welcome to come with me to know it!
1: Can you put bigger hoop on embroidery machine?
Yes, you can. But not every bigger hoop can be put on your embroidery machine, that depends on the model and specifications of your embroidery machine. When your embroidery pattern is larger than your embroidery area, you had better select a multi - position embroidery hoop so that you can remove it back and forth, as if you have a bigger hoop. In that case, as long as your embroidery machine allows it, you can go on your embroidery project. Of course, if you have enough money ,you can buy and use a bigger hoop instead of multi-position hoop.
Well, speaking of embroidery hoop, do you know how to choose the right one? I have one way to tell you. If you haven’t known what size of your stitched pattern is going to be, you can measure it first by using a soft tape, and then you can choose a hooping size with its embroidery area that allows for your design. For example, a 125mm x 125mm pattern can be sewn out when you are using a 130mm x 130mm (5.1” x 5.1”) hoop. Besides, when you buy a hoop, it is the best thing that using a hooping size is closest to your pattern size. That is because there is minimal fabric between the pattern and the embroidery hoop, which means less fabric movement and makes better embroidery results.
2: What is the best size machine embroidery hoop?
You can choose the embroidery hoops from 5 inches to 8 inches. On the shop, you can see that the suppliers display the hooping size in inches and millimeters. There is a detailed medium sizes of magnetic embroidery hoop at Sewtalent brand.
| Hoop size in inches | Hoop size in mm |
| 5.1x5.1 | 130x130mm |
| 6x8 | 150x200mm |
| 6.9x6.9 | 175x175mm |
| 7.6x2.7 | 195x70mm |
But one thing you need to know is that the merchant gives the physical hoop size, not the actual embroidery area. For example, if you buy a 5.1”x5.1” hoop, its actual embroidery area is 4.1”x4.1”. This is because embroidery needle cannot work on the edge of the inner hoop. You must leave at least 1 inch space for the needle.
3: What is the best thread count for machine embroidery?
On the market, most embroidery patterns are made with regular embroidery thread with a strength of 40, which is the most versatile and also ideal for thread painting and thread sketching. Sometimes, rayon and polyester threads are available in a strength of 60, which is finer. They are used ideally for making very small fonts, such as a font with a length of 5 mm, but can also be used to make small and detailed embroidery patterns. Embroidery threads differ from sewing threads in that they are much softer, so they spread out more evenly. Using embroidery threads can make your embroidery look more beautiful, especially when you make finer fabrics and delicate embroidery files. Also, embroidery threads often have a smoother surface texture than embroidery made with sewing thread.
3.1 Five common embroidery threads For machine embroidery
This time I would introduce 5 common embroidery threads: polyester, rayon, cotton, silk and metallic.
- Polyester threads:
Most customers choose polyester thread for embroidery because of its strength and durability and color fastness. On one hand, many customers consider polyester to be the best embroidery thread for machine embroidery. However, there is a shortcoming of polyester thread. It is not as natural as the items embroidered with other embroidery threads. Recommend for embroidery novices.
- Rayon threads:
People choose rayon thread for high-speed multi-head embroidery machines and home embroidery machines because of its bright colors, durability and low cost.Besides, if your are doing complicated embroidery project, you can choose rayon thread in that it is softer and more flexible.
- Cotton threads:
The cotton thread itself is very soft and has a natural matte finish. Perfect for your vintage embroidery patterns and traditional designs. If you you don't want a shiny surface, you can use the cotton thread. Additionally, cotton thread just makes very little friction or heat with the fabric during embroidery, which helps prevent fabric damage.
- Silk threads:
Silk thread itself has natural sheen and excellent smoothness that other threads just couldn’t match. Although silk has a smooth surface and looks delicate, it is actually very strong and is perfect for embroidering delicate fabrics and high-end embroidery projects that are durable, such as elegant and gorgeous dresses and luxury goods. Nevertheless, silk thread is more expensive than other embroidery threads.
- Metallic Threads:
Metallic thread is not as commonly used as the other four embroidery threads because it is more difficult to work with your embroidery project. If you use the metallic thread in a wrong manner, you would get your thread curled easily. Moreover, you should install a specific needle with your machine. So, while you may want to use the metallic thread to make your design unique, it can be a challenging task. Specifically, that thread is broken easily in machine operation. So it is not recommended for embroidery novices.
5: What is hoop burn embroidery?
When you have completed your embroidery project, you would take your fabric from a hoop. Perhaps, there are some hoop burns on your fabric, as shown in the above figure. If you make your knitted fabric embroidered, that fabric is prone to leaving marks. The reason is that your hoop kept the fabric too tightly. But you don't have to worry too much, there are ways and techniques to remove these marks. Besides, with the innovation and advancement of science and technology, these problems may not be a problem anymore one day. Below I will introduce several ways to help you deal with these marks.
5.1 How to remove hoop burn for your fabrics?
5.1.1 Getting your fabric wet by clean water
You can spray the marking area with a bottle filled with clear water, as shown in the above figure. And then wait for the fabric to dry.
5.1.2 Steaming
By steaming, you can remove the hoop burn. You should be careful to use the steaming iron. You had better not keep the iron touch your fabric straightway.
5.1.3 Spraying white vinegar
By spraying white vinegar mixed water around the marking area, you can remove the hoop burn.
5.1.4 Using Ice
You can deal with the hoop marks with ice, and then dry your fabric.
5.1.5 Using the same fabric to rub
If you have tried to use the clean water, steam, white vinegar and ice, the hoop burn still does not disappear. In this case, you can rub the hoop marks with the same fabric.
5.1.6 Washing your fabric
If your fabric is washable, you can hand wash it or wash it in a washing machine and then wait for the fabric to dry and the marks will basically disappear.
5.1.7 Using spray starch
You can also use spray starch to remove marks. You just need to spray it on the marks, wipe it with a soft cloth or by hand and then dry your fabric. But it is just suitable for light-colored fabrics. If your fabric is with a dark color, I advise to wash it directly.
5.1.8 Using sticky roller brush
This method is suitable for removing marks from fluffy clothes, especially dark-colored textiles. Using a roller can help the fibers return to their nature and then the marks can be removed.
5.2 How to avoid hoop burn for your fabric?
In this part, I will introduce 4 methods to avoid the hoop burn.
5.2.1 Using magnetic embroidery hoops
An effective way to avoid marks is to use a magnetic embroidery hoop, because it is said that the fabric is fixed by the magnets, and there is no need to press the fabric to fix it. But you must be especially careful when using a magnetic embroidery hoop, because the magnet is very strong and your hands may be pinched if you are not careful. Patients with pacemakers should be cautious when choosing magnetic embroidery hoops because the magnetism is very strong and will interfere with their devices. Therefore, my advice is to avoid using them and choose other methods to remove the marks.
5.2.2 Floating hoops
This method is only suitable for lightweight and small embroidery projects. To float, you just need to clamp the stabilizer and stick your fabric on top, and then you can sew the item. But if you are engaged in larger embroidery projects, it doesn’t work.
5.2.3 Using fast frames
The method of using fast frames is to first stick the stabilizer on the inside of the frame, and then make your fabric on the sticky surface of the stabilizer. Moreover, you shouldn’t use the clips around the edges of your fabric. In this way, you can avoid leaving marks.
5.2.4 Masking hoops
Masking hoops refer to that you should make a mask to protect your fabrics from hoop burns. As shown in the above figure, like for fabrics with fuzz, you can take an identical piece of fabric and lay the fuzz fabric underneath. And you must ensure that the fuzz surface is in contact with the fabric, which is a way to alleviate the marks left.
6: What is flagging in embroidery?
If you find your fabric and needle moving up and down together in embroidery, we call this wrong movement as flagging. Because this up and down movement resembles a fluttering flag, people call it as flagging in the embroidery industry. As shown in the figure, under normal circumstances, the fabric and the needle move independently. At this time, you may be wonder why does flagging occur? Perhaps, you use the embroidery hoop in a wrong manner. And possibly, the presser foot does not adjust correctly, the loosing fabric, the use of an inappropriate backing or adhesive, etc., all of which may cause flagging. For the above possible reasons, we advise that you make adjustments directly. Here are some simple suggestions: check whether your embroidery hoop to operate rightly, and you must strictly follow the correct installation steps; carefully check the presser foot to see if the stitch adjustment is incorrect; use a stable and correct backing; or check your use of adhesive, if you have poor adhesive, and give up using it; if there are no problems with these, you can check the stitch density and appropriately reduce the stitch density in your embroidery program.
7: How loud are embroidery machines?
A noise testing agency made tests at an embroidery machine factory. Based on its testing data, the normal noise is with a range of 67.2 - 80.6 dB (A). If the noise may exceed 85 dB (A), it would impair the worker's hearing. In that case, the factory owners should decide how to protect their employees' hearing. If you're using a home embroidery machine, it generally won't affect your hearing. The noise level of them is generally below 80 decibels. A company called Stac UK had a report on the household appliances noise. The company indicated that a standard sewing machine made a noise with 60 decibels. That nears the volume of human normal sound. If your newly home embroidery machine makes a clicking sound, it is most likely that your machine lacks oil. Or, you use the wrong needle. In this situation,try a different needle to check.
Conclusion
In this time, there are some questions about embroidery hoops to be introduce. I believe that you have known that you can put bigger hoop on your embroidery machine as long as your machine can allow it or you can use multi-position embroidery hoop. And then what the best size of embroidery hoops is between 5-8 inch. After that, the best thread count of embroidery machine I have introduced is with a strength of 40. In this part, you have known about the five common embroidery threads. And then you should learn how to tight your embroidery hoop, and in this part, I have a suggestion for you that you can buy a magnetic embroidery hoop instead of plastic embroidery hoop if you want to make your embroidery project become easier. In the following parts, we are talking about some problems happened in embroidery, like hoop burn, flagging and noise. I am so glad that this paper can help you in some aspects. If you have any doubts about embroidery hoops and frames, you can get more information here: www.magnetichoop.com.
