Free motion embroidery, which size hoop
 

Hi,

I'm considering trying some free motion embroidery and would like to get a hoop. I have a Pfaff 7550 with a traditional 7" inch distance from inside of arm to needle. I've seen some videos that recommend 9" hoops. I'm wondering if there's much difference between working with a 9" or a 10". The Morgan hoops come highly recommended and I figure a 10" hoop would be more versatile?

My main concern is if the hoop is too big, it will get tippy while I'm working, won't be as stable. I don't have an extension table for my machine. On the other hand, I'm considering getting a machine with a larger throat space, so a larger hoop might be nice.

Advice or suggestions? Thanks.

I imagine you could use any frame you like. You can also make your own extension table to fit your machine, using styrofoam from packing boxes, and cover with contact or such so there is no drag on your quilts. There are 'how-to s' out there if you google.

Thanks! I worry mostly that if it's too big it'll be tippy. But an extension table (of some kind) would probably take care of that problem.

I have used an old fashioned 8 inch wooden circle hoop to do free motion embroidery on my 7.5 inch machine, but the SM does have a table that slips over the freearm. Not a big table like we use for quilting, but just a slide-on surface with no legs that came with the machine. A nine inch hoop would mostly work and be supported, but I could not stitch all the way to the left edge of the hooped area without the right edge of the hoop knocking into the tower on the right. Would not matter as much if the motif did not go all the way to the edge.

I would experiment with whatever you have on hand. If we wait for the perfect setup, sometimes we never get going. Just play with the hoops and threads and machine that you have, and see what it feels like and what you might need to change next time. I love the idea suggested above to raise your own surface if no extension table available. Clever.