Newbie Here!

[Really? No Reilly]

Hello all, I just got my Amaya XT a little over a week ago, and I love it....I think! lol It is a persnickety machine! At this point, I am still entirely lost, but reading the tutorials and trying to learn. Eventhough it is still early in the game, I am thinking that i need a better hooping system. I want to do purses, bags, totes, lunch boxes, etc. I have looked at fast frames and the mighty hoop. I would love any input on either system. thanks!

[Debbie Garifi]

Fast Frames are worthless. Do either Slim-line or Mighty hoops depending on just how much you want to invest.JMO
Enjoy!!

[Greenwing]

I would recomend the mighty hoop, you only need the hoop and not the fixture to hoop all the items you listed.
If you want to do shirts later then buy the fixture.

[Rod or Sharon]

Fast Frames are not worthless. Each type of hoop has its time for use. We use our Fast Frames in a ton of ways and also the Clamping System. I wouldn't give up either. We don't have the Mighty Hoops so I can't give any credit there.
Sharon

[Gabi Kat]

Diddo to the Mighty Hoop. true the fixture isn't paramount - but it does save time, faster hooping, and placement concistancy(sp?)

And welcome to the group!

[Chris & Cindy]

If you go with Slimline make 100% sure you keep it clamped at all times. If you leave the lever up and move the frame it can catch the thread wiper and bend it. It can also cause you to drop the needles. This happened to me so I just thought I would share that with you.

Good luck. It takes a long time to get a good feel for this business. You will learn something new almost daily. I've been doing this for over 5 years and I still know very little compared to some of the nice folks here.

[Jenny]

I have to disagree...different people like different things...we like our fast frames so much we bought another whole set...we use them all the time...I want to buy other hoops like the Mighty Hoop but for now the hoops that came with my Amaya serves our purpose for now...we did buy one slimline and I am scared to use it much...bent the heck out of my Maya once when I forgot to clamp it down and take it off and when I turned the machine back on Oh, My what a mess I got myself into...so yes I want a better faster hooping system but I can't say that the fast frames are worthless...some people love the Slim Line but not me but I wouldn't say it was worthless...good luck with your new Amaya and Welcome to the club...have a great day and until next time...

Jenny
Westbrook Wonders

[gcannon]

Learn to use FACTORY PARTS first- ask any seasoned embroiderer- THEN take on "shortcuts" & such. Be affraid, vewy vewy affraid. Don't want to scare you, but please, keep it simple to start with. JM2CW...

[Really? No Reilly]

Thanks for all of your input! That will probably be the easiest question that I ask! I think that I am going to buy one mighty hoop just to get me going, and then add the fixture later, thanks for that idea. **jackie

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

I agree with Sharon and Jenny.
Fast Frames are NOT worthless.

How else would you hoop the pointed tip of a shirt collar or say, a hair ribbon???

Ed

[gcannon]

In that case, Ed, you would use your backing or stabilizer as a part of the garment in the hoops made for your machine.

[Rod or Sharon]

I'm wondering if those who think fast frames are "worthless" are using them only with sticky backing? We found we didn't like sticky backing so we use regular backing and small, but very strong clamps (ones that stay out of the way when you trace) around the edges. Of course, there are times when only sticky spray or sticky backing is a must.
Sharon

[signman]

We switched over to the SLimline system (original, just 2 sizes) couple years ago and sold our fastframe setup-haven't looked back since.
Of course, we haven't done any jobs that didn't work in the slimline-so it depends on what you need to sew what will work for you!

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Gregory,

True, true. You are correct. I guess one could use a standard hoop, and even in combination with sticky backing, to accomplish the shirt collar or hair ribbon.
I just appreciate the thin frame of the fast frames which can also aid in where you're able to insert the thin fames into. Say, that of a pocket or bag.

Ed

[gcannon]

I've never had the luxury of having my own machine(s)- so I pretty much have to find a way to do things, even when the bossman doesn't want to spring for gadgets & such. I think this has made me a more flexible embroiderer. Please, no sticky stuff- I care more about our machines.