Hoop Tips

Hoop Tips

"Timepiece In A Hoop"

I enjoy the flexibility of quilting in a hoop, often listening to music or tv as I do. Many quilters ask about avoiding puckers on the back side of the quilt when using a hoop. Here are some suggestions:

I actually pin baste quilt layers with 1" safety pins about 6" apart then baste with thread around the outside edge of the quilt on the 1/4" seam allowance.

Start quilting in the center of the quilt and work towards the outside. Lay the quilt over the bottom part of the hoop and open the top of the hoop generously to accommodate the thickness of the "quilt sandwich". If the hoop is too tight the quilt top stretches very taut and the bottom layer is loose....a sure way to get distortion. Then I feel the back of the quilt to make sure it is smooth. If there are creases or puckers take the hoop off and try again. Push from the bottom up through the center of the quilt to loosen the tension in the hoop even more. I always turn the hoop over and look at the back side to make sure it is smooth before I actually tighten it.

I usually remove all safety pins from the portion of the quilt contained in the hoop to eliminate tangling of the quilting thread.

Try to keep your quilting in the center of the hoop. I like to use a 16" hoop. Don't quilt closer than within 2" of the outside edge. Quilting closer to the edge can create distortion and you will not have a smooth transition when you move the hoop to another location. This means that you will be quilting about a 12" circular area. Change the position of the hoop often and reposition including at least 2" of overlap from the previous quilting area.

Reposition the hoop from the center of the quilt outward. I leave enough backing and batting around the edge of the quilt top (about 5-6") so that I can still use the hoop when I get to the last border without having to attach additional fabric or use a half-hoop.

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