Dressing Your Hoop - Learn This Modern Embroidery Technique

Hands pull the fabric in the modern embroidery hoop.

Introduction 


It’s helpful to secure your fabric nice and tight in the hoop, so that it’s enjoyable and easier to stitch on. This process is also known as preparing or loading your hoop. After practicing this a few times, it will become second nature.


So let's learn how to dress your hoop!

Step 1.


Loosen the screw of your embroidery hoop, separate the two sides, and place the inner hoop on your flat work surface.

Step 2.


Place your fabric (centred) on top.

A hand holds fabric over a hoop.

Step 3.


Unscrew the larger outer hoop quite a bit, then place it over the fabric so that it slots over the inner hoop, sandwiching the fabric in between.

Fabric is pulled tight in the hoop.

Step 4.


Now go around the hoop, pulling the excess fabric beyond the hoop, and slowly tightening the screw as you go. Keep doing this evenly around the hoop, until your fabric feels as tight as a drum.

A hand pulls fabric tight in the hoop.

TIP: To check if it’s tight enough, pop your hoop on your flat work surface, then gently press down in the centre with your flat palm. If you can easily touch the work surface underneath, then tighten things up some more. If there’s a decent amount of resistance, then it will be about right! Do a final twist of the hoop’s closure to secure everything in place – tighten with your screw-driver if possible. 

A hand presses down on the fabric in the hoop.

Step 5.


Trim your fabric so that an excess of at least 1 inch (or 3 cm) extends beyond the hoop.


Note: For more advanced projects (like stitching on clothing, accessories, stretch fabrics, or large-scale pieces), you’ll need to tweak this process to avoid issues like hoop burn. But as a beginner, don’t worry about that for now! 

The fabric is trimmed around the outskirts of the hoop.

Video examples

In this video, I’ve shared my tip about tightening the fabric in the hoop, which I think you'll find really helpful.

Conclusion


So there you have it, all the beginner knowledge you need to dress your hoop. This is something you'll do again and again as you keep making embroidery patterns.


I’m so excited for you! 

What's next?


If you enjoyed learning about modern embroidery, you may also enjoy my Modern Embroidery Foundations Course. 


This course takes you through all the beginner techniques and knowledge you need to make your first beginner pattern, Little Wildflower Meadow! Plus, it includes a beautiful second pattern, Blooming Lovely, which is a fantastic place to practice your newfound skills.


I would totally recommend this course, as it covers more embroidery techniques than just dressing your hoop, and you can also do it at your own place. Plus, this is a great way to hold yourself accountable for your own me-time and continue on your path to becoming a modern embroidery superstar.


If you liked this article, then you may also like this one, 

What Essential Supplies do You Need to Get Started in Modern Embroidery?


So, are you excited to start on your modern embroidery journey?

Here is a beginner embroidery pattern, Little Wildflower Meadow, framed in a hoop. This is available for purchase from the Clever Poppy Shop with the Modern Embroidery Foundations Course.