Hoop or no hoop??

[Di]

Before I purchased my Amaya XT, I owned and still own a home machine (Husqvarna Viking Designer SE). It's a home sewing/embroidery machine. Anyway I NEVER hooped the fabric, I always hooped the stabilizer, used temp stray adhesive then did a baste stitch to hold the fabric to the stabilizer. Everything from t-shirts to fleece blankets to quilt squares turned out great.

Now with the XT, I know that isn't the common practice and there isn't a programmed baste stitch unless you digitize one. I did purchase the 7 in 1 slim line hoops so I could possibly do this.

So my question is, does anyone out there just use the 7 in 1 hoops most of the time with the sticky back stabilizer or spray adhesive? And if so, do you program a baste stitch or just use clamps on the hoop to help hold down the fabric? Or is that just a bad idea all together? I mostly do fleece baby blankets, bibs, onsies, and quilt blocks. My big fear is that I won't hoop it correctly and the outline of the design won't match up or it will look bad some other way.

Thanks in advance,
Di
Designs by Di

[signman]

Di...I, like many others that have posted about it here...got rid of the 'fast frame' or 7 in 1 system once we saw a demo or heard about the speed clamp system-and we use it for over half of our embroidery now.
No adhesives, no sprays, most of the time no extra clamps needed-only for heavy tote bags that don't want to stay still.

Roland

[Di]

Really!?! Do you have to use a stabilizer at all?

[GF]

I mostly use the Fast Frame system with self-adhesive stabilizer. Sometimes I use the clips, and sometimes the stabilizer's adhesive is good enough. Never use a basting stitch.

[GF]

I use the clamping system for jackets and towels and blankets. Forgot to say that. I do a lot of home decor items so I get pillow tops and drapes pre-assembled and ready for embroidery. I use the Fast Frames for these items.

[Di]

Oh man, I knew I should have spent the extra money for the clamping system. Now I need to see if MelcoMart will take back the unopened 7 in 1 so I can order the Fast Frames.

Thanks for your help!!