I would do it the way she said, too. And to do sweatshirts, I just usually insert the hoop, get it where I need it, and then make sure the back of the sweatshirt is NOT under the hoop but rather bunched around it; DOUBLE CHECK, then embroider away! Good luck...(oh,leave the edge where your hoop-to-machine fittings are clear, also...). Clear as mud?