for those of you with multi hoops...

I have a Pfaff 2170 with 4D. I use all my hoops except the Grand Hoop. I have only used it once in a class. I just don't do designs that big. I always use the smallest hoop I can get away with. If your design is not filling the majority of the hoop it is easier for the fabric to shift ever so slightly and we all know what happens then. I often resize designs if they are just a tad bit big for a hoop so that I don't have to go to the next size up. This also saves stabilizer as someone else mentioned.

It really depends on what I'm doing. My little tiny one is great for monograms on my husband's shirt cuffs. The 4x4 is popular with a lot of designs but I quickly grow out of it if I add more than one design to the project. I try to stay in the smallest hoop possible to save stabilizer and because my machine tends to shift less with smaller work areas.

well I can honestly say I don't have a favorite...I truly love really big designs though...I am not good at re-hooping yet, so the big bad boy is what I like to use for those, plus I do alot of multi designs....I haven't tried out the pocket hoop nor the endless border hoop...Think I am going to need to go to class on that one.... flowers 4 all

1 comment

by maryjo 02 Jul 2009

What machine do you have? I have a Pfaff and the "Endless" hoop is actually very easy to use. I did an FSL border on a sheet that was 72 inches long and it worked like a dream.

Good question!
Wit the Elna I like the 4.5 x 4.5 for 4x4 designs but find its 6 x 10 hoop a waste of stabiliser for 5x7 designs.

With the Diamond the larger 4.7 x 4.7 is an annoying waste of stabilser for 4x4 designs, the other large hoops are too large for most designs but great for doing multiple FSL designs and will be great for when I branch out and start doing the larger designs. I've just purchased a 5 x 7 hoop for doing standard designs with the Diamond.

The Brother only has a 5 x 7 hoop and this is really wasteful so I still have to buy a 4 x 4 hoop for it, when money permits. I don't use the Brother much as I don't like its lack of variable speed.
hugs n roses, M

1 comment

by camylow 02 Jul 2009

the bigger machines have variable speeds, and lots of hoops to go with it....

mostly I use the 5"x7", and sometimes the smaller one

Probably the 5x7. BUT I do like the new 120x120 that came with the Viking Diamond. Sometimes the 4x4 hoop is just a tiny bit too small and I don't want to go up to the 5x7. I rarely use the really big hoops. But it's nice to know I have it if I need it! The Tweets from EmbLibrary have to have a larger hoop, so I do use that one when I do a Tweet design.

I have small, med,/ large & extra large hoops. 2 of the large cause this is the one I use the most. *

I know that most people, including my instructor like the 5x7, but I like the 6x10 especially if I am using the Magna hoop inserts.

I use the 5x7 most - but have just started to use the 150mm x 150mm more - especially with quilt blocks. I have several hoops, but don't use the others too often. I purchased a tiny tiny spring hoop to do small embroidery, and bet it has not even been out of the box. What an easy sell I am, right? Thought I would use it at the time. Just an easy sell for Viking. LOL

1 comment

by gerryb 02 Jul 2009

I did the same thing! The spring thing is too hard to use with my arthritic hands! I think you get all caught up in things when it's being demo-ed and then you never use it!

5 x 7

I use the 5x7 more but the 4x4 is more manageable to me ;D *2U

OK - which do you use? I have three sizes and tend to use my 5x7 the most - I can put mutiple FSL in it and not worry about the slippage as in the 7x11.75 - there are times that the 4x4 works if I am in a hurry to do just one item. But when I am doing embroidery on shirts and towels - if the desing works best on the larger hoop - I will use it - so I can secure it with a good basting stitch. I am of no help here - am I? Hehehe! *4U

I like to use 4x4, but I mostle use 5x7 because of the size of the design.

I use my 5x7 the most I think. I have 5 for my machine, but you know, I rarely use the larger ones (goes up to 8x12). I'm a 4x4 and 5x7 kinda girls. :-)

my 4x4 is my favorite, but it seems what I choose to monogram calls for the 5x7....what's up with that?

I used the 5x7 for a long time. Now that I bought a 4x4, I alternate the two following the pattern I want to embroider :o)

I use my 6x6 do-all because it has inner hoops for light and heavy fabrics. And you don't need to rehoop because it has a release button, so if you are doing quilt squares from same fabric, you just release the one you just finished and snap new one on. Really cool :) The Mega Hoop is also fun. I haven't tried my endless hoop, but one of these days. . . . . . Yeah, right, Daisy

Absolutely the 4" x 4". I think it's easier to hoop things & seems like the project always snaps in perfectly.

I prefer to use the 5x7, but I use the 4x4 if the design fits so I can save on stabilizer.

4"x4"