Impressions - September 2020 - 36

The double-height wall of the Allied hoop (right) gets
more surface-area contact with the hooped goods.

Traditional Hoops
Shown is replacement hardware from
Allied Intl., featuring a large end for easy
adjustment by hand and a screwdriver slot
for extra security on heavy goods.

to back or back to front, while the clamp's
inner window is guided straight down by a
lever or screw. Specialty clamps are available
for specific heavy or hard-to-hold items,
such as shoes.
Some clamps are mounted to the arms
that hold tubular hoops, while others -
like large, multihead clamps - mount
directly to the pantograph's back rail.
Clamp windows are lined with a gripping
material, but it's good practice to provide
additional support for extra-heavy items.
For example, some creative embroiderers
place a stool in front of an embroidery head
to support a varsity jacket or work coat.
Clamping generally is a good holding
solution for many heavy items, including
sweat shirts, wool jackets, blankets and
canvas or nylon bags.
Magnetic Hoops: Many embroiderers
agree that magnetic hoops, such as those
offered by Mighty Hoop by Midwest
Products, are the "silver bullet" for dealing with the heavyweights.These hoops
are so strong that handling them can be
frightening to the uninitiated, but most
become believers after learning how well
they hold just about anything.
The design of these patented hoops
P.36

creates a natural countersinking of the
inner ring and a space where the two
rings meet, eliminating the "pinch" associated with traditional two-ring hoops.
The countersunk or recessed hoop holds
the item flat on the machine table and
the space eliminates hoop burn associated
with hooping an item too tightly using a
traditional hoop.
Unlike the clamps that stay on the machine during hooping, goods are loaded
into magnetic hoops in a separate hooping
station that's made for the specific magnetic-hoop size. This station holds the
bottom-hoop portion so that it doesn't
interfere with the top-hoop portion.The
station also provides placement guidance
like traditional hooping stations.
Both clamps and magnetic hoops
help avoid the potential repetitivemotion injuries associated with traditional
hoops, which are even more likely when
hooping heavy items. Combined with
the additional benefits of superior hold
and not adversely affecting the items, the
investment is worthwhile for those who
embroider heavy items.These alternative
holding methods also can be used successfully on lightweight goods.

If you're hooping heavyweight goods in
traditional two-ring hoops, you may have
resorted to unorthodox methods to get
the job done. I have heard of hooping
being done on the floor using a hammer,
among other tales.
You may have learned it's counterproductive to tighten a hoop after the item
has been hooped, but thick items are the
sole exception to this rule. It's generally
not advisable to use tools when hooping.
One exception is the judicious use of a
screwdriver to tighten the outer ring when
a screwdriver slot is provided on the hoop's
hardware.The risk is that you could "strip"
the threads, which would result in no hold
at all. I prefer to use a thin piece of rubber,
normally used to loosen tight jar lids, for
tightening screws on hoops.
What happens when you strip a screw?
Replacement screws,barrel nuts and springs
should be available from your machine
distributor and aftermarket suppliers. For
example, Allied Intl. offers longer screws
as replacements, which allow a wider
hoop opening. The company also offers
heavy-duty options specifically for hooping
thick items.
Table height also is important when
it comes to hooping thick items. I prefer
a table that is low enough so that I can
extend my arms fully when inserting the
inner hoop.This allows me to exert even
pressure on the inner ring with the most
natural motion. I like to insert the inner
ring at the back edge first and the inner
edge closest to me last, using only moderate
pressure.Then the hoop can be tightened
gently. Using hard pressure to insert the
hoop may mar the garment.
If the heavy jacket you're embroidering
is lined, ensure the lining is smooth and
unpleated during hooping. If it is pleated
after hooping, then you should remove it
from the hoop and rehoop it. Linings are

I M P R E S S I O N S M A G . C O M SEPTEMBER 2020

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Impressions - September 2020

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