How To Center a Hoop for Tubular Embroidery
Osman Bayrak
How do you center a hoop for tubular embroidery?
The best way is to watch a training video like this on centering a hoop for tubular embroidery on a commercial embroidery machine. Every machine does have it's own controls, however there are some basic centering tips that work for every embroidery machine including Tajima, SWF, HAPPY, Melco and Toyota embroidery machines. When embroidering items too small for a hoop, first hoop the stabilizer, then attach the fabric to the stabilizer. Use a stick-on stabilizer, or adhere the fabric to the stabilizer with temporary adhesive spray.
To ensure the fabric is perfectly aligned on the stabilizer, with a ruler and a black marker, draw a large, right-angled guide cross on a piece of paper that's bigger than your hoop. Place the paper under the hooped stabilizer, matching the lines to the centering marks on each side of the hoop. The lines will be visible through the stabilizer and will make it easy to accurately position the fabric and center your design on it.
What are some helpful tips for centering a hoop for tubular embroidery?
1. Baste the fabric to the stabilizer to keep the layers together. Whether basting by hand or machine, nothing works as well to keep the fabric from shifting. Some embroidery machines are capable of basting the fabric to the stabilizer while in the hoop.
2. When embroidering items too small for a hoop, first hoop the stabilizer, then attach the fabric to the stabilizer. Use a stick-on stabilizer, or adhere the fabric to the stabilizer with temporary adhesive spray. To ensure the fabric is perfectly aligned on the stabilizer, with a ruler and a black marker, draw a large, right-angled guide cross on a piece of paper that's bigger than your hoop. Place the paper under the hooped stabilizer, matching the lines to the centering marks on each side of the hoop. The lines will be visible through the stabilizer and will make it easy to accurately position the fabric and center your design on it.
3. If using a temporary adhesive spray after hooping, make a shield to protect the hoop. Cut a window about 1/2 in. smaller all around than your hoop size in the center of a rectangle of paper, lightweight cardboard, or plastic that's at least twice the size of the hoop. Hold the window firmly in place to expose the fabric while you spray.