Free Machine Embroidery Tutorial & a Confession

I confess to not using many gadgets when sewing.

I read how others do and how these gadgets & tools make their sewing lives much better & easier, having asked myself on numerous occassions "why not you too", the only excuse I can come up with is laziness. 

   I simply can't be bothered.....or should I say, couldn't be bothered because the other day I REdiscovered a gadget bought years ago, sitting unused on a shelf.
The discovery came whilst creating the Sculpted Shirt.

I was amazed at the brilliance behind the simple design and blinded by my stupidity for not using it before now.
Just as free machine embroidery changed my life, the embroidery hoop has enhanced it.

I thought it might enhance yours, so I've put together a little tutorial on how I used it.
The reason you would want to use a Hoop is to keep your embroidered design flat, as opposed to the blistered effect you get when free machining.

1. It might have another name but 'Embroidery Hoop for a Sewing Machine' is what I'm calling it - until I hear otherwise. It's different from other embroidery hoops because it sits low (almost flat), making it perfect for sewing machines.

2. You just squeeze the 2 handle things on the Inner Spring Ring and it separates very easily from the inside lip of the Outer Rim.

3. The Outer Rim has a lip around the inner wall which allows the Inner Spring Ring, once positioned & released, to slide into place holding the fabric taut ready for stitching.

4. Now the fun begins - once you have attached the correct Foot for free machine embroidery and got those Feed Dogs out of the way you move the Hoop around under the needle creating your design.

Caution: I did find that the back of the foot crashed into the protruding Spring Ring handles causing me to have a little heart attack and the design to get mucked up. Being free machine embroidery the muck up soon became part of the design and by maneuvering the hoop so that the handles were always in front or out of the way I avoided this drama.

I love the mess I can create with free machining however now that I have the choice of a more controlled finish, I feel that this is a very warranted gadget and well worth the owning.