All those interested in hand embroidery or cross-stitch know the value of the right embroidery hoop. An embroidery hoop is essential to create tidy and artistic embroidery patterns. A sewing hoop not only simplifies the task but also improves its efficiency. They come in different sizes; the choice of size depends on the task or project one intends to do.
Experts and beginners have used the embroidery hoops for ages. Even in this era of technology, nothing has been able to replace the centuries-old hoops. That is why sewers, especially beginners, still search for how to make embroidery hoops.
In this article, our goal is to provide you with a step by step guide on making an embroidery hoop at home and what material you’ll need for that. We’ll also let you know which material is best to make an embroidery hoop. And most importantly, by the end of this article, you will understand that making a DIY embroidery hoop is not as difficult as you thought. Your responsibility is to follow the steps carefully, and the result will be the same as what you want.
So, here we go!
Material Required To Make An Embroidery Hoop
The following things are needed to make an embroidery hoop.
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- A drill bit or drill machine
- Jigsaw
- Polished wood
- Screw, screw holder and screw binder
Steps On “How To Make Embroidery Hoop”
- On this polished wood, mark a circle with a diameter of 18″, which means its radius is 9″.
- For the cutting of the circle, make a hole in the wood. The size of this hole should be such that the jigsaw blade can penetrate and cut the circle.
- Now, trace a line of 7 centimetres from the centre of the circle.
- Drill a hole at the end of the 7 centimetres line.
- Now mark another line of 7 centimetres from the centre. It should be parallel to the first line so that the hole we make at the end of this line coincides with the hole drilled at the end of the first line.
- After drilling the second hole, you might notice some extra edges inside the drilled holes. Cut these edges using something sharp but make sure you don’t cut too much.
- The pivot point in our central jig is 7 cm. Put this pivot point(in the form of a nail) in the centre of the circle that we have cut.
- After doing this, put the circle cutting jig on the jigsaw table.
- Pass the blade through the holes in the circle.
- If you cannot pass it through the circle, you will have to make the drilled hole broader by using something sharp.
- When the blade has been successfully installed, have a grip on the circle with both of your hands, it should not be too hard or loose. Switch on the jigsaw.
- Start rotating the circle steadily with your hands once it is turned on and the blade has started doing its job. Be careful so that you don’t harm your hands during this.
- Continue doing this until you are done cutting the hoop. Pay attention as you proceed towards the end because you don’t want to ruin the whole hoop by doing over or undercutting.
- Remove the blade; it will be hot so remove it carefully.
- Lastly, if there are any imperfections, you can get rid of them using a filer.
This is how to make an embroidery hoop.
You must be curious why we use wood to make the hoop and not any other material such as plastic, PVCs, or springs. Following few lines will make things clear to you.
Why Only Wooden Hoops And Not Any Other?
Commonly wood is used to make the embroidery hoops first because it is readily available. Second, wooden hoops have been in use for many years, so people are more familiar with them. Best of all, they are comfortable and convenient to handle.
Another primary reason is accessibility and lower cost. Wood is easily accessible and cheap. In addition, wooden hoops do not require much maintenance, making them affordable.
Unlike many other materials, such as plastic, wood is not damaged by higher temperatures. Therefore, it is long-lasting. The longevity and durability of wooden hoops also depend on the type used to manufacture them. For instance, if you are using birch wood, there are bright chances that it will last for a more extended period.
A wooden hoop can work for a lifetime if used properly. But if you exert lots of pressure on the hoop, it will break.
We mentioned that these hoops come in different sizes. But how do we know which size is best for us? So, let’s determine which size is reasonable for our use.
How To Choose The Size Of A Hoop?
The embroidery hoops frames have various sizes, typically the diameter between 4 to 12 inches. Three most commonly used dimensions are 4 x 4, 5 x 7 and 6 x 10 inches.
Choosing the size of the hoop primarily depends on the size of your embroidery project. Usually, it is said that a perfect sized hoop is the one in which there is some extension left outside the hoop once you have fitted the fabric in it.
Tip: For large projects such as embroidering hoodies or shirts, you can use a shirt embroidery machine that comes with a variety of hoop sizes depending on the project
Moreover, it is advised that the size of the hoop should be such that it can fit in one hand, and you can trace patterns with the other hand.
Qualities Of A Good Embroidery Hoop
A good embroidery hoop should be able to hold the fabric properly. This hold on the material should neither be too tight nor too loose. If the grip is too tight, then the fabric might get damaged as you try to trace an embroidery pattern. And if it is too loose, then obviously, you won’t be able to make any pattern in the first place.
Another way to understand the hold of the fabric more clearly is through the “drum-tight technique”. This technique implies that the grip of the hoop on the fabric should be at a level that if we tap the fabric, it produces a sound similar to that of a drum.
The hoop should be firm enough not to lose its shape or get bent. Otherwise, it is of no use. Because of this reason, wooden hoops are preferred. Birchwood is best to make hoops because it doesn’t have any spikes so that it won’t damage your hands and the fabric. If you are not planning to use wood, you can consider using brass. Brass is long-lasting and solid. Even if the screw is too tight, the hoop made of brass will not bend.
Additional Tips
While making the pattern, remove the fabric from the cloth for some time. Because if you keep it intact throughout the process of making the pattern, the hoop might leave a stain on the spot. Most of the time, it is not possible to remove these stains.
It would help if you chose the depth of the hoop based on the weight of the fabric. If the fabric you are using is of medium size, then your hoop should have a thickness of ⅝”. If the cloth under your use is heavy, then a depth of ⅞” will work perfectly for you.
Conclusion
We are confident that this article has not only guided you on how to make embroidery hoops, but it has also given all the other information related to it that was important to know. Making a hoop is not tricky, but you need to pay attention to make a good one. Because a small error can ruin the whole process, getting the best embroidery hoop is essential since our work will lack beauty and tidiness.
FAQS
What can I use if I don’t have an embroidery hoop?
If you don’t have an embroidery hoop, you make a hoop yourself. Take the lid of a container, and mark a circle on it with the help of a marker. Now cut the circle using a cutter or a sharp knife. Lastly, file the hoop to smoothen the edges.
How do I know what size embroidery hoop I have?
If you don’t know the size of your embroidery hoop, you can measure it with the help of a ruler. Take the ruler’s side from where the measurement starts and put it on one edge of the hoop. In this way, you’ll get the diameter of the hoop. It can be either in centimetres or inches, depending on the unit used on the ruler.
Can you make your embroidery hoops?
Yes, you can make your embroidery hoop using the cover of a container. Just mark a circle, cut it with a cutter, and file the edges. This type of hoop is not durable and can quickly get bent. Which, in turn, will impact the quality of your embroidery. Therefore, it is just suitable for temporary use.
How to hoop for machine embroidery?
To perfectly hoop for the machine embroidery, you should adhere to the following tips and methods.
- Always opting for the most accurate hoop size. You are going to have exceptional results if the hoop size you select is in accordance with the embroidering size.
- If you are using rectangular hoops, always opt for T-pins for holding the fabric.
- Opting for tape which can is sticky from both sides.
- The fabric should be straight inside the hoop, neither too tightened nor too loose.
Can I buy a bigger hoop for my embroidery machine?
Whether or not you can buy a bigger hoop for your embroidery machine depends on whether your machine allows it or not. Some of the machines do not support more than one specific hoop size. While the other machines can take more than one hoop size. If your embroidery machine entertains more hoop sizes, you can definitely buy a bigger hoop for your embroidery machine.