And if so, what is the point in a larger hoop? You can tell I'm kinda new at this huh?

Well, my machine only did 4x4 designs, however you don't need to re-size bigger designs, you can do an automatic split in Embird, it splits the design into 4x4 sections, save the sections and print out the template (where it has each section numbered for you to line up and stitch, printed on the complete design) so easy !!! I suggest you look up online how to split designs, thus you can use a bigger hoop, I have even used my hoop-it-all hoop which is 12x12 Embird is the best for auto-splitting, splits it for you. love it. Sometimes you may need to re-hoop but thats not hard either, lots of good tutorials out there free.

Glad I didn't have to wonder about that as I got 5 sizes of hoops with my machine. But the answers are interesting especially about doing multiple designs in one hooping.

It is in the manual, it shoud say how big your stitching area is. If you do not have the manual try the producer homepage, mostly they have the manuals online.

My Brother SE-350 does 4x4 only but I did buy the larger hoop only to reduce my hooping so I was able to do more designs and just move the hoop to it's next set of connectors and it worked out great for what I have done so far. You can do multiple designs within the hoop so it is worth buying for that reason alone. In the review for the hoops they got low "stars" only because people thought they would be able to do 5x7s in it, your machine determines the size of design it can do, not the hoop.

2 comments

by airyfairy 17 Jun 2011

I also only have a 4x4 and Debra is absolutely correct.

by punky1015 17 Jun 2011

I have a 4x4 area but like the idea that you can do several designs within the hoop area without having to rehoop all the time. Thanks.

Very first question, does your machine allow for a larger hoop. If your machine does not allow for a larger work space, don't waste you money. I wanted one for my Brother Runway LB-6770 and called brother about ordering one, only to find out that my machine will not do larger designs and I am stuck with a 4x4 area as my largest. Thats why I could not find one e-bay etc to purchase one. I got mine as a gift from my husband for my birthday, he asked a ton of questions when he ordered it on-line. I think the person who took his call either did not know much about the machine to begin with or only wanted to make a sale and did not care. Find out what is available for your machine first.
My suggestion is type your machine information at the brands web-site and read what is available for it. Or at least get a number to speak with a tech. that knows about the machine. What type of machine do you have maybe other cutes have the same one and can tell you. Hopefully you can get a larger hoop and embroidery area. Good Luck!

a 4x4 design is always a 4x4 design. However, there are designs made for larger hoops, 5x7, 6x10 for example. Some embroidery software will increase, as well as decrease the size of a design, but one has to be careful of that because some designs (lace in particular) do not work well with sizing changes.

Thank you so much - I think I understand now. You just don't have to re-hoop as often to cover a bigger area. Thank you again cuties - you are the best!

First thing you need to establish is what size hoops your machine can take if you are purchasing "universal" typ hoops (those that don't come from the agents). The design itself dosen't change unless you have a programme where you can enlarge the design. This I can do with Bernina Designer. A larger hoop allows you to purchase (or digitise) larger designs. Hope this helps Elizabeth

The design area won't change. The larger hoop that can be use is usually 100 x 170 mm or approx 4 x 6 3/4 ", so you can place f.i. an embroidery in the top part, mve the hoop and stitch a name in the lower part. Or split a design (you'll need software) and stitch it in two parts without hooping problems.

I stand under correction but I think you can only do 4x4!! I wanted to buy one of the bigger hoops for my Elna and they told me that the two hoops I have are what my machine can cope with