August 26, 2019
In my previous blog post, I wrote about the best fabrics for hand embroidery. In this post, I wanted to touch on another embroidery essential - the hoop.
There are many different types of hoops out there, and I’ve about tried them all! From pricier imported wood hoops to plastic hoops to "hoops" made of plastic piping, there are a lot of varieties to try out. Sometimes it comes down to personal preference depending on what feels good in your hands and what materials you choose for your stitching projects.
Using a hoop makes stitching much easier as your hands have something to hold. It also keeps your fabric taut, which helps you to stitch evenly and to prevent your fabric from puckering.
The size of hoop you select completely depends on the size of the embroidery you are hoping to stitch. I typically work with hoops in the range of 5 to 7 inches wide.
In my new guide, Hand Embroidery Essentials, I do a deep dive into hoops and go into great detail about how to use a hoop, the various brands I've tried, and what I prefer to use. You can find the guide here.
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