You may think a small hoop will do you just fine. However, embroidery can be as addictive as quilting and you may end up wishing you had a much bigger hoop.

Possibly one of your LQS's has a really great emb machine that someone has traded up in order to get one of the newer machines.

Hi,

I have two embroidery machines, both came with 4x4 hoops (both with 5x7 and one with a 7x12) and it's the hoop I seldom use. For 95% of my embroidery I reach for my 5x7 hoop. I do a lot of towels, quilt blocks, and some shirts. I do use my big hoop, but mostly the medium one.

I buy my thread by the spool. I bought a set of embroidery thread when I first started, still have some of the colors untouched. I would buy the basics, black, white, tan, red, etc., and then buy specialty ones that you need for specific projects. Over time you end up with various shades of every color....believe me!

Have fun......embroidery is addicting!

Bev

Be sure your dealer has classes available. There is so much to learn that it is like learning a new language. Iveonly had my emb. machine since the Spring and I feel I've only scratched the surface on knowledge. I tak a class almost every month since my dealer gives free classes to all who purchase machines from her.

embroidery is addictive warning warning-----------cut yourself a piece of plain paper 1]4x4 +1]5x7---remember you can have the 7 as width5 as depth---match these shapes with your block sizes it will make your choices easir---personally i would not have less than 5x7---------threads if you can get a thred comparison chart [robinson+anton have a great one]then from day one[i didnt regrets++]keep a record of what you have+ what you want