What kind of machine do you have and do you have any pictures of any ornaments you could post? I'd like to see them. Do you mean you don't use your hoop at all, or just don't put the top of the hoop on to hold the material taut? I haven't tried, but I'm not sure my embroidery software will even work without a hoop attached.

Has Anyone done the Hoopsisters quilt blocks on their embroidery machines When I get time I am going to try them I have the dresden Plate and turned ribbon block just need to try them out

I have that same Brother S350...such an economic embroiddery machine. I have done bits and pieces with mine, and always use it for the 'nightgown part' of the flip rag dolls I make (one side has smiley face and one has sleepy face) and I put hearts on the nightgown, flowers, cats, dogs etc for the local kids with cancer I donate the dolls too. In case some of you haven't seen the dolls, I'll try to find the file it is in and send a picture. The local office (ACS)says the skin color makes no difference to these little guys. I made a couple boy dolls too that do not flip but turn front to back. I truly love this machine. I wish I could afford one of the large ones, but not on this senior citizens budget, I'm afraid. I buy different skin color fabrics when I find them, but we are a couple hours from big fabric stores.

I have that same Brother S350...such an economic embroiddery machine. I have done bits and pieces with mine, and always use it for the 'nightgown part' of the flip rag dolls I make (one side has smiley face and one has sleepy face) and I put hearts on the nightgown, flowers, cats, dogs etc for the local kids with cancer I donate the dolls too. In case some of you haven't seen the dolls, I'll try to find the file it is in and send a picture. The local office (ACS)says the skin color makes no difference to these little guys. I made a couple boy dolls too that do not flip but turn front to back. I truly love this machine. I wish I could afford one of the large ones, but not on this senior citizens budget, I'm afraid. I buy different skin color fabrics when I find them, but we are a couple hours from big fabric stores.

You all are inspiring me! The tshirt is so cute!

I am awaiting my Ellegante next week. Cannot wait to get started with my heirloom and vintage projects!

Happy Stitching! Sassysewer53

Happy, you can embroider without hooping on the 8500. For continuous design embroidering, I would definitely baste the fabric to the appropriate stabilizer.

You would have to mark your rehooping spots on selvage ends of your fabric for the continuous embroidering.

I think you will enjoy your Pacesetter 8500, the only drawback is in design transport. You will need a converter system to do that. I have the BL Esante ESE2 that uses exact same accessories as your 8500 Brother.

Of course, if you have the stock designs, you can do those with no hoop, although I would use hoops to keep tension even.

SassySewer53

I have a Janome 11000 plus a pfaff 2170 you can call me a little compulsive lol i hoop the stablizer and lay the material on top of that , my machine has a basting stitch that holds the material . Now I can't do that with everything .

There is a software called Embird - go to Embird.com. This is the cheapest and best bang for your buck. It is marvelous, has wonderful customer service and a few Yahoo groups to give you a hand. Thru Embird you could run a design thru it's 3d to see what it looks like sewn out, it will sew it out for you - this is great as you can watch it sew and see the problems. It is an editing software that is unparrelled in price for what it does. There is no brand name (Viking, Bernina, Brother) to name a few, that are as powerful in what it does and the price is down right reasonable. You can download a 30 day trial. Here's where you would load a new design in and look it over, see it sew.
I've had Bernina Artista and Brothers Ped, nothing was as easy to learn and did as much.
Judi in Ohio

I have been doing embroidery for 15 years or more. I LOVE sewing machines and have had them all - well almost all. I started out with a Viking Rose, got an 1+, had the Pfaff 7570, then a 2170, then the Creative Vision (they've lost me for good on that one), Had a Brother 8500, a ULT 2001 & 2003 - (wonderful machines), bought the Babylock EMP 6 needle, and now have the Ellisimo. On the way, I had a Janome 10001 for about a month, a Viking Diamond for a few months before I bought the Ellisimo - I'm sticking with her and my EMP6. I sound like a millionair, but honestly just buy and sell at the right times. Many of my machines were used, and everyone who bought my machines ended up very happy. And I've never gotten a bad machine. I use Ebay and the yahoogroup sewitsforsale - love it. So don't think you have to stick to a lower end machine because of budget. There are many nice used machines out there - for instance the Brother ULT line was a great machine imho! TOL a few years ago and dependable and has a large hoop, and you can pick up fairley reasonable.
I think all the current machines are pretty equal in capabilities - they've all caught up. I love the Babylocks because I hate Disney so won't buy a Brother, and think these are great machines - ease of use, embroiders wonderfully.
Judi in Ohio

I have a Brother ULT 2003 D that I bought on Ebay and I love it. I use it for embroidery only as I have an Elna for sewing. I am looking to replace the Elna tho, and am considering another ULT or up. I also use Embird and found it to be user friendly and very helpful people around to help when you need it. I saw a ULT 2003D on Ebay before Christmas for around $1000.00 Wish I could have afforded it then. I paid way more than that for mine. I also have a Brother 180D that is almost brand new, bought it and then found the ULT so it never gets used. Anyone interested I am wanting to sell. As far as I know it only uses a 4x4 hoop, never really got to know it. I hope I can find my way back to this chat !!