• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Embroidery
    • Embroidery Machines
      • 11 Best Embroidery Machine (Computerized Embroidery Machines for Home)
      • Best Affordable Embroidery Machine
      • Best Embroidery Machine For Home Business in 2023
      • The Top 5 Rated Best Commercial Embroidery Machines in 2023
      • The Best Embroidery Machine For Custom Designs
      • Best Embroidery Machines for Hats
      • Best Monogramming Machine for Beginners
    • Brother Sewing and Embroidery Machine
      • Brother PE770 Embroidery Machine Review
      • Brother SE400 vs. SE600-Computerized Sewing Embroidery Machine
    • Sewing
      • Janome Sewing Machine Reviews
      • Best Mini Sewing Machines in 2023
  • Accessories
    • Best Fabric Cutting Machine To Buy in 2023
    • Best Embroidery Scissors in 2023- Complete Guide
    • Best Machine Embroidery Thread-2023
    • Needles for embroidery- Complete Guide
  • Guides
    • Digitize
      • Embroidery Digitizing Programs
      • Embroidery Digitizing Software Mac
      • Embroidery Pricing Spreadsheet
    • Embroidery
      • Simthread Conversion Chart for Machine Embroidery
      • Embroidery Stabilizer Guide
      • Understanding Hoops Sizes- Machine Embroidery
      • How To Transfer Embroidery Pattern
      • How To Store Embroidery Floss
  • How To’s
    • Embroidery
      • How Long Does Embroidery Take?
      • How To Applique With Embroidery Machine
      • How to Start an Embroidery Business in 2023
      • How to Make Clothing Labels with Embroidery Machine
      • How to Thread an Embroidery Needle
      • How To Remove Embroidery Patches
      • How to Frame Embroidery: Easy Methods
      • How To Remove Embroidery With Backing
      • How does a Punch Needlework?
    • Sewing
      • How to embroider letters with sewing machine
      • How to Make Pants Waist Smaller without Sewing
      • How To Embroider with a Regular Sewing Machine
      • How to Sharpen Sewing Needles
      • How To End a Stitch
    • Digitize
      • How To Convert jpg To Embroidery File For Free
      • How to Digitize for Embroidery
SewBroidery Crafts

SewBroidery Crafts

Let's Craft Your Imagination!

Understanding Hoops Sizes- Machine Embroidery

by Stella Alex, Last Modified: June 14, 2022

embroidery hoops- featured image

Embroidery hoop is an important constituent for embroidery machines. If you are an embroiderer, you will be well aware of the importance of hoops for cross stitching and embroidery work. In actuality, it’s not just a tool but you need to know a lot about this ubiquitous tool specially Embroidery hoop sizes.  Do you ever wonder why hoops are available in different sizes? The reason is pretty simple: different designs require distinctive types of machine embroidery hoops as per embroidery sizes . 

Table of Contents
  • What is an Embroidery Hoop?
  • Is It Essential To Use An Embroidery Hoop?
  • Important Types of Embroidery Hoops
    • Screw Tension Hoop
    • Spring Tension Hoop
    • Flexi Hoop
    • Q-Snaps Hoop
  • Regular Embroidery Machine Hoop Sizes
  • Embroidery Hoop Sizes Chart
  • Embroidery Hoops: Plastic vs. Wood
  • How to use an Embroidery Hoop?
  • Tips for Getting a Good Tensions of Embroidery Hoop
  • Final Words

In this ultimate guide, I will discuss what machine embroidery hoop is, its types, embroidery hoop size chart, how to pick up the right embroidery hoop, and everything that you need to know about. Let’s begin!

What is an Embroidery Hoop?

Embroidery hoop is also known as the frame. It’s a special tool to keep the fabric stretched and taut while doing embroidery or any form of needle work. A hoop or frame consists of a twin of elliptical or circular rings to keep the fabric inside it. 

But how to measure an embroidery hoop size? Well, the sizes of both rings are different and bigger rings are to be kept outside and a metal screw is there to tighten it. They are available in different sizes to work on small or large fabric. They are designed in such a way to work with a single hand and control it easily by keeping it in rest motion. Read more to check out what is the largest embroidery hoop size and much more. 

Embroidery Hoops —– Check Latest discounted Offers.

Is It Essential To Use An Embroidery Hoop?

It usually depends on the embroiderer, embroidery type, embroidery size, machine embroidery design, embroidery hoop design and a few other factors such as stitching type, fabric that you are using and experience. It is particularly beneficial to keep the embroidery fabric stretched and better to go for multi hoop embroidery.  It helps create beautiful & neat stitches and save the stitches from puckering due to spaces. 

flexi hoops

Also Read: 11 Best Embroidery Machines – Computerized Embroidery Machines for home

Furthermore, cross stitches always require a hoop because you can’t handle the holes without it. And here you need to be considerate upon cross stitch hoop sizes, specifically.  When it comes to choosing a hoop type, you can use a 4 x 4 embroidery hoop, 2.5 inch embroidery hoop, 15 inch embroidery hoop or you need to choose according to the circumstances. It purely depends on many factors that we will discuss in the hoop types. 


Important Types of Embroidery Hoops

Normally, all types of hoop for embroidery serve the same purpose of holding the fabric tightly. Nevertheless, it’s important to know about using an embroidery hoop according to  hoop types. Check out the significant embroidery hoop types in the following:

Screw Tension Hoop

Screw tension- hand embroidery hoops is the most common type of embroidery hoop and has a screw at the outer ring. The attached screw lets you expand or lessen the tension of the hoop. They are readily available in different sizes, materials, and shapes. 

screw tension hoops

Spring Tension Hoop

In such types of plastic embroidery hoops, tension is generated via an inner ring that slots into a holt. This is also attached in a plastic outer embroidery ring. It is frequently used in cross-stitching and hand embroidery work. It nicely keeps the fabric tight. The only problem is the bulky handles. 

spring hoop

Flexi Hoop

Flexi hoop- metal embroidery hoop, gives a real look of quality wood and is crafted from malleable vinyl that gives perfect taut. People like it due to its stretching capability and its professionalism on how to put fabric in an embroidery hoop . Conversely, it’s a bit challenging to use them. Experts use it for framing a finished piece of embroidery work, not for stitching. 

flexi embroidery hoops

Q-Snaps Hoop

These embroidery hoops without screws are not technically hoops but a convenient tool for cross stitches. We like it among types of embroidery hoops due to its lightweight, availability in different sizes and comfortability to hold them. 

Q snap hoop

Regular Embroidery Machine Hoop Sizes

There are three frequently used embroidery hoop sizes in inches such as 4×4 embroidery hoop, embroidery machine 5×7 hoop, and embroidery machine 6 x 10 inches hoop. Some machines use only a single hoop, but some models utilize more than a single hoop. To know about it, please read the manual included with your embroidery machine. You can visit the brand’s official website to know about the accurate embroidery hoop sizes suitable for that specific model. Otherwise, we have also mentioned the machine embroidery hoop size chart  in the following.

brother embroidery hoops
Discount Offer
  • For a 4”x4” hoop, the sewing field is about 3.94 x 3.94 inches. 
  • For a 5”x7” hoop, the sewing field is 5.12 x 7.09 inches.
  • For a 6”x10” hoop, the sewing field is about 6.30 x 10,24 inches.

Embroidery Hoop Sizes Chart

Hoop SizeSewing Field
4×4 inch100 x 100 mm
5×7 inch130 x 180 mm
6×10 inch160 x 260 mm
8×10 inch200 x 260 mm
8×8 inch200 x 200 mm

Also Read: Brother SE400 Vs. Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine


Embroidery Hoops: Plastic vs. Wood

plastic embroidery hoop

People are moving towards flexible embroidery hoop technology and cost-effective solutions; therefore, plastic embroidery hoop is inexpensive and always a beginner’s choice. Pick up an excellent quality plastic hoop that gives extra taut to the stitching fabric. Don’t forget to check the quality and reliability of plastic flexi hoops before buying. However, the only problem with plastic is that it can bend or warp if not carefully used.

wooden embroidery hoop

Likewise, wooden hoops for embroidery are more reliable options and come in various sizes. You can choose the width, thickness according to your needs and requirements. Check the smooth round edges before buying a wooden hoop, and it doesn’t snag or splinter. The best embroidery hoops- wooden are fitted with brass fittings and long-lasting performance. 


How to use an Embroidery Hoop?

Regardless of the style you have chosen, the primary procedure on  how to put fabric in an embroidery hoop is similar. For your ease, we have mentioned the steps on how to use an embroidery hoop in the following:

plastic embroidery hoop
  1. First, unfasten the screw a little bit and separate both the inner and outer hoops. Drape the fabric that you want to use on the smaller hoop. For embroidery hoops without screws like flexi hoops, you just need to place the fabric in the boundary and stretch it as per your requirements. 
  2. Set the fabric according to your requirements,hoop it all and put the bigger hoop on it. Keep in mind that the fabric should be stretched completely. 
  3. Tighten the screw enough that the fabric remains stretched and does not loosen up. 
  4. So, it’s all done. Enjoy your embroidery as you want. 

Tips for Getting a Good Tensions of Embroidery Hoop

We want to share some useful tips that will make your experience better with embroidery hoops while using them:

Always keep the fabric tight, just like a drum. It will give you amazingly neat and clean stitches in needlework hoops. 

embroidery hoop huggers

To get accurate tension, pull the fabric evenly from all the sides and tight it perfectly along the hoop. For this purpose, round hoops are preferred instead of rectangle embroidery hoops.

Tighten the screws by ensuring that the fabric does not slip while performing the stitches job. Use a foam grips frame for embroidery hoops if needed to help tighten the screws firmly. 

embroidery hoop foam grips

Wrap the small hoop with quality cotton twill tape to get more tension. This tip works best on  wooden hoops for embroidery .

wrapping the hoop

Final Words

So, it’s all about what to do with embroidery hoops, what is embroidery hoop, how to use embroidery hoops, machine embroidery hoop size chart, and all the necessary information. Don’t forget to follow our tips before working on any embroidery project. We hope you will find our efforts helpful. 

Enjoy Your Embroidery!


Filed Under: Guides

About Stella Alex

Hello and Welcome to my Website! My name is Stella, and I have been an embroidery enthusiast for over 6 years. My interest in embroidery machines came in my teenage from my mother. I hope my efforts will help you a lot to get the best one. Thank You!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Important Pages

  • About Us
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Services

Recent

  • How to Thread an Embroidery Needle
  • How to embroider letters with sewing machine
  • How does a Punch Needlework?

Search

Sewbroidery Craft is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertiser program specially designed to give sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, amazon supply, and the amazon supply logo are amazon.com, inc. or its affiliates. As an amazon associate, we get affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Sewbroidery Craft