How I hoop mine, another idea.... I bought a roll of window film, the kind that men put on a window before they stucco a house. It is slightly sticky. I hoop the inside of the hoop, folding it over the edge just enough to hold it. It is tight like a drum. Slide it into the outer hoop and tighten. Set it into your machine. I take a cheap water soluble glue stick and go around the inside of the hoop. I set my fabric on the hoop, fabric does not move. Depending on how dense the embroidery is will determine how much stabilizer I use. Normally, I use a light/medium weight. For embroidery denser that the size of a quarter or fifty cent piece I will use a heavy stabilizer or two lighter weight pieces. I have the older ESe 2, which I digitized most of my designs. I have put them on Jeans, shirts, jackets and quilts. The kids love them.