► Firstly, you need to stretch your fabric onto your hoop tight, like really tight. You will want the front side of the fabric (if there is one) on the inside of the hoop, as you will be laying the hoop flat onto the fabric to trace. I usually stitch up my pattern with the hoop like this and once the pattern is completed, I just reverse the fabric in the hoop the right way.
► Ok, now you have the fabric secured in the hoop, next take your paper pattern and you can use your light box. If you don’t have one of these, just use your window. A computer/tablet monitor will work just as well too. You just need some light to see through the fabric to trace.
► You are now ready to get stitching! You can leave your fabric in the hoop this way, you are just working from the back of the hoop. When you are finished with your pattern, just take the embroidery piece out and turn it the correct way and now you are ready to back it!
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As I mentioned above, there are other methods you can try, like using carbon paper, iron on transfers, transfer pens & the magic paper method. I will cover these types of methods in another blog post. These can be handy if you have a very detailed pattern, but for beginners the above method will work just fine !
Please click on the links below for more information on:
Embroidery Supplies
Stitchy tips
Finishing your Hoop
