I agree with the 'taut' not tight tip. I started in 1998 and the mantra was have that stablizer 'drum tight' in your hoop. Everyone has their own interpretation of drum tight! Then people began to get puckered embroideries. Turns out drum tight may have been too tight! Very interesting to see what has evolved over the years. I still am totally enamored and fascinated with my machine embroidering! What a miracle!! My grandma would be totally blown away by how far things have come since her beloved treadle!!