Released November 18, 2008
(an easy way to expand your machine’s embroidery field)
by MaryCatherine McCoy
How would you like to embroider a tote bag like the one shown below
with 12” of embroidery designs even though your embroidery machine
may be limited to the 4” x 4” embroidery field? And what if I told
you that you don’t need any any special software? Yes, it’s true!
You can do it!
Although sewing machine manufacturers offer new top-of-the-line (TOL)
embroidery machines with ever larger embroidery fields such as
6” x 10” or higher, the 4” x 4” embroidery field continues to be one
of the most dominant sizes, one factor is affordability or budget
constraints, another factor might be that an embroiderer has limited
space at home.
Since digitizers offer designs in all sizes, some embroiderers often
feel limited by their machines. A frequent question is “How can I
stitch out a larger design on my machine?” There are various options
including embroidery software (such as Embird Editor and others) which
enables an embroiderer to split a large design, and then stitch it out
in various sections. Sometimes, it requires re-hooping and lining up
each section meticulously. For specific software tutorials, please
investigate the software manufacturer’s website or manual.
Another option, discussed in detail in this article, is the use of a
multi-position hoop. Advantages of this option include no re-hooping,
no re-aligning & no additional software (which means no ‘learning
curve’ in order to master the technique).
Embroidery machines include at least 1 hoop; though many include a
variety of hoops, such as a multi-position hoop. As the name
suggests, the multi-position hoop can be attached to the machine at
several different positions. One example is illustrated below:
The embroidery unit, as shown, has 2 posts or pegs to attach an
embroidery hoop.
One of the hoops available for this unit is a multi-position hoop,
shown below, both top and side views. Please note on the side view,
there are 4 different positions on the mounting bracket (A, B, C & D).
This hoop can be attached in various combinations to allow stitching
several designs without re-hooping or re-aligning. Here‘s one example
using Jacobean Ducks from Designs by SiCK
(http://www.designsbysick.com/details/jacobeanducks).
In this example, the hoop was attached in the top position, using the
first 2 positions on the mounting bracket (positions A & B), as shown
below:
(Note: for illustration purposes, the unit is not shown attached to
the embroidery machine.)
The first duck design was stitched out. Then, the hoop was unclipped
from the machine, though the project was NOT unhooped. Next, the
hoop with the project was re-attached in the middle position (using
positions B & C), as shown below:
The second duck design was stitched out. Again, the hoop was
unclipped from the machine, but the project was NOT unhooped. Then,
the hoop with the project was re-attached to the embroidery unit and
machine in the bottom position (using bracket positions C & D), as
shown below:
Finally, the third duck design was stitched out. Then, the hoop was
unclipped from the machine, and the project WAS unhooped. Voila! A
tote bag with 12” of embroidery stitched on an embroidery machine with
a 4” x 4” embroidery field! Without re-hooping, re-aligning, design
splitting or any special software! As you can see, once again, the
end product is quite nice.
You could also consider this method for borders and other similar
projects.
In conclusion, if you feel limited by a 4” x 4” embroidery field on
your machine, then check out your owner’s manual, consult your dealer,
or visit the manufacturer’s website. If your machine came with a
multi-position hoop (or if one is an available) check it out to
e-x-p-a-n-d your embroidery options.
Also, another option is to check http://www.hoopitall.com/ for
aftermarket hoops that are positional, hopefully there is one for your
machine make and model.
I just love those Jacobean ducks. I’ve sewn them on many pillows and pillowcases.
Comment by Julie — November 18, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
I visited the site that you suggested but saw no mention of a multi-positional hoop.
Comment by Sheila Davis — November 19, 2008 @ 10:19 am
thank you for the information. I have one of the larger hoops that has the posts to reposition it but I find it only will do about one and half designs since it is only a 4×6 instead of a 4×4 so it doesn’t give me as much room as yours, but it does help with some designs I add together that are smaller. Now what I would like to know is if there is a design that is just over 4″ one way and yet under 4″ in the other, how can I load it on my card since there is a limit on the machine and the card writer goes by machine instead of hoop size? I love the liniens but they are always too long and the writer won’t let it be downloaded.
Comment by GrandmaShari — November 19, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
I have a Husqvqrnq IRIS with a 4×4 hoop and extended hoop. I have never been able to get the machine to operate with the extended hoop. Any suggestions?
I found this to be a very interesting article and will print it and Keep reading it and try to learn. Love all the hints.
Comment by Barbara — November 19, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
Thank you for this article. Even though I have this hoop, I forget that I can use it to make design areas larger than 4×4. When I did use it I used the plastic ruler that it came with. The next time I use it I will try the 4×4, I’m sure that will make it easier to center the design.
Comment by Linda — November 19, 2008 @ 6:01 pm
I bought the multi-hoop for my machine but I haven’t used it yet. You have done in the tutorial exactly what I thought I would do when I got it; but the instructions tell me I can only get 4×6 sewing feild by using it. They also said to use A-B positions and then the C-D positions. Your article just reinforced what I thought should be the right way to use it.
Comment by Linda R. — November 20, 2008 @ 3:12 am
Shiela commented:
>I visited the site that you suggested but saw no >mention of a multi-positional hoop.
Shiela, the site included in this article in regards to the aftermarket hoop is for HIA (Hoop-It-All) hoops.
This is an aftermarket hoop that is multi-positional by default (though it may not be commonly referred to as such) because it employs a sliding bracket to re-position it.
The hoops are different for each make and model, so of note is that this is not a “one size fits all” hoop, as visitors must check in the hoops area of that site to see if a HIA has been created for their make and model.
In fact, the only difference between a HIA and a standard multi-positional hoop is that on the HIA, the bracket helps re-position the hoop (hoop is not detached for re-positioning) rather than the latter which requires removing the hoop entirely and re-positioning it for the next section.
Hope this helps.
For those interested: http://www.hoopitall.com
HTH,
Charlotte
Comment by Charlotte/Newsletter Editor — November 21, 2008 @ 3:42 am
I have a Babylock Ellageo and it came with the large hoop being 6×10. Would this device be of help to me or is it mainly for the 4×4 hoop.
Comment by Mary Debord — November 21, 2008 @ 6:07 pm
I have the 4×6 hoop for the Simplicity SE2 and have used it to stitch out multiple designs at random doing a trial trace to make cetain that my designs did not overlap….unless that is what I wanted when using low density or open designs
Comment by Boltonia — November 23, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
I love this article and it is step by step so I will be able to use it easily.. However I am extremely new to embroidery and I cannot figure out how to embroidery on my small tote bags w/o having to cut them apart and resew them… Any suggestions?
Comment by Misty — December 3, 2008 @ 8:01 am