Help! I have an embroidery hoop that is 7x11+. I has screws to tighten on both ends. I can not seem to get the stabilizer and fabric tight. It is always saggy in the middle. Thanks, Hugs.

Flower

As I'm reading this, and your answers, I'm wondering if I really want a Janome Gigahoop. Is this the hoop you all are having problems with? This kind of sounds like more trouble than it's worth, especially if it made you sit down & cry, D! I do that with much less provocation, lol. Thanks for all the brilliant information, and flowers to all. Marji

1 comment

by shirlener88 05 Mar 2008

Marji, the gigahoop is different than this hoop - that Sally is using - but we each have to learn - what we can work with - always go to your dealer and learn about the tools of your trade - before you make a purchase - if they want to sell it to you - they will help you understand it and anything about it - if they are a good dealer.

I think I may have found a really good answer for your problem. I've encountered the same thing with my hoops. I took a good look at them and realized that in the molding process the sides of the hoop (where your fabric is sandwiched) become sort of concave. So there's very little gripping power, with the exception of the top and bottom edges. I hope that just made sense.

So I just did a small experiment with my hoops and the results were just great!!!!....AND everyone can do this too. I'm guessing most of you have hot glue guns. Well fire 'em up right now and find something like a popsicle stick. You'll be using this to smooth the hot glue out.

Too bad I can't post a picture here. I'll try to explain this. Really it's so simple, but you'll have to work quickly. We'll work with the outside hoop first. Check the insides surfaces of the hoop and look for any concave surfaces first. You want to bring them level first. Work on one spot at a time an run a strip of hot glue in the area. Quickly take your stick and smooth the thin layer of glue flat. Continue all the way around. Now test the hoop to see if it holds fabric any better. If not, run short strips of glue, and smooth with the stick, all the way around the inside edge. Test fit again. If that doesn't do it run strips of glue around the outside edge of your inner hoop. If you make a mistake or want to take the glue off, a razor blade will do the trick or even rubbing the glue will remove it.

This sure beats wrapping the hoops with gauze!!!!

Let me know how well it works for you :)

3 comments

by dlmds 05 Mar 2008

Aqualight, You explained this so well your picture was in my head. I have been fighting this so long. I have ruined so many designs. One day I sat and cryed. Yes it is concave in places. Thank you so much. H.*.

by aqualight 05 Mar 2008

Will you let me know how the hot glue works for you?

I sure don't want you crying over this anymore :)

by aqualight 05 Mar 2008

By the way. My hoops are for a Singer Futura CE 250. I don't think it matters what brand you buy. It's just a limitation of the plastic molding process.

if you can get the stabalizer secured but not both then try this trick. use a glue stick instead of spray to secure the fabvric in the hoop. I do a lot of in the hoop projects and had lots of problems with the spray glue,
now however i simply use a childs glue stick (Use the blue glue stick if you can as you can then tell where the glue has been placed and it will fade in a short time) simply apply it to the fabric back and press down onto the stabalizer even if its WSF it will work well, hope this helps someone
annie in the uk

1 comment

by dlmds 05 Mar 2008

I have some glue sticks and will also try your advice. Thank you, H.*.

Others have suggested gauze for wrapping the inner hoop with. I have used the clear (bathing suit) elastic on mine. It is thin, so it won't take up too much space, but it is rubbery so it doesn't slip against the fabric or stablilizer. It has worked very well for me, and you can use glue to stick the end in place when the hoop has been wrapped sufficiently. Good luck!

2 comments

by shirlener88 05 Mar 2008

cutiepie, great tip - a*4U

by dlmds 05 Mar 2008

Cutiiepie, Do you glue the elastic to the outside hoop or the inside hoop or both? Thank you H.*.

There is a product called "hoop ease" that can be put on the bottom portion of the hoop. I have not used mine, but it is supposed to take up some of the slack in the fabric, and allow you to tighten the stabilizer and the fabric prior to stitching. it was recommended to me when I was going to do stitching on fabric for heriloom.

1 comment

by dlmds 05 Mar 2008

I will check with my dealer about this product and how to use it. I would also love to do some heirloom, it is so beautiful. Thank you H.*.

If it has two screws, make sure they are equally tightened. My hoop did that when I tightened one side more than the other.

1 comment

by dlmds 05 Mar 2008

I have tryed this and many rehoopings. My hoop sides in the middle have seemed to have turn out. I forgot to say this. Thank you H.*.

I have a 12 1/2 X 9 (outside dimensions) but only 1 screw. If you are emb. on something very thin you can put double sided tape inside the outside hoop.;)

1 comment

by dlmds 05 Mar 2008

Since it is double sided tape, my guess is that it wraps around the inside hoop. Is this correct? H.*.

I read someplace (emblibrary???) that you can use small strips of muslin around the top hoop sides to take up the slack on the long sides. Just don't make it too thick. Some hoops have clips that can be used for that purpose.

2 comments

by letvia 04 Mar 2008

Another flower. XoXo

by dlmds 05 Mar 2008

Sad to say mine does not have clips, wish it did, as that would probably solve my woes. Thank you H.*.

What sort of stabilizer are you using? That hoop is hard to tighten - I have some trouble with it each time. I have decided to put my hoop bottom down on something that will not move - the place the stabilzer on next, then with a bit of time consuming patience - I but the top hoop into the bottom hoop - adjusting the stabilizer some as I go - then when I have it all in place - I tighten one end some - than adjust the stabilizer a bit and tighten the other end some and go back and forth - until I feel that it is tightened without pulling on the stabilizer - to not stretch it out of place. I don't know if this will help you or not dlmds, but it does work for me. *4U

3 comments

by shirlener88 04 Mar 2008

I did forget to tell you - that when I got really tired of doing all the above - over and over - each time that I used the hoop - I did wrap my inside hoop with guaze, just like you put on a bandage - just make sure that it is thin and not thick - so that it will not interfer with your material or stabilizer, but cause a gripping effect for your stablizer or material to adhere to. Hehehe! Forgetful me.

by dlmds 05 Mar 2008

I does not seem to matter what stabilizer I use, it will still sag in the middle. I have even rehooped many times. I see my hoop edges seem to turn out in the middle,[bottom hoop]. I will try these ideas. Thanks. H.*.

by letvia 07 Mar 2008

Flower and XoXo

Wrap the inside of the long side of the hoop with a thin layer of gauze, it work good for me.
Good luck and a flower to help

1 comment

by dlmds 05 Mar 2008

Thank you modo, at least I now have many ideas of how to correct the problem. Thank you, with this problem I sure need all the luck I can get. Ha! H.*.