What is hooping in embroidery?

Clamping fabric and stabilizer together in the hoop so they stay flat and firm while the design is stitched.

Stabilizers and hooping

Hooping, explained

Woven fabric should be taut like a drum, while knits should be flat but never stretched, or they relax into puckers once unhooped. Mark the center and placement lines first, and don't tug the fabric after the hoop is closed. The placement guide shows where to hoop each standard position.

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