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Embroidery machines are so much fun! I love adding fun designs and monograms to the things I sew.
However, did you know that embroidery machines can do so much more than stitch out simple pictures and letters? With an ‘in-the-hoop’ design, your embroidery machine can practically sew a complete project for you!
If you’ve never tried in-the-hoop embroidery designs, prepare for your mind to be blown…
What Is an In-the Hoop Embroidery Design?
An in-the-hoop design is an embroidery machine stitch file with several steps you follow to create a complete project. You hoop a piece of stabilizer and follow the steps for adding fabric. Then, your embroidery machine stitches out the necessary designs.
You can think of in-the-hoop designs as applique on steroids. They are sometimes called, “ITH,” for short. I’ve seen in-the-hoop designs for little zipper pouches, decorations, and even stuffed animals!
The only caveat with in-the-hoop designs is that most of them require an embroidery machine with a very large hoop. I own a Bernette b79 embroidery machine — it has a 6”x10” hoop. I wish it was larger, but that is all I could afford.
You can find embroidery machines with 10”x14” hoops or larger, but you’re going to have to shell out upwards of $8,000 to get one. My Bernette b79 cost me about $2,000.
Don’t get me wrong… I love the entry-level Brother embroidery machines, but you should definitely buy an embroidery machine with as big of a hoop as you can afford so you can sew in-the-hoop embroidery designs.
Are In-the-Hoop Designs Difficult to Follow?
In-the-hoop designs do have a lot of steps, but don’t be intimidated…
I think they are much easier to follow than standard sewing patterns. Plus, they stitch out projects much faster than you could do without an embroidery machine. A class can be helpful, though. Sweat Pea offers an in-the-hoop embroidery class online.
You see this cute teddy bear? I made it on my embroidery machine with an in-the-hoop design. Everything was stitched out almost entirely in the hoop!
I got this ITH teddy bear design from Planet Applique during a Christmas sale. My embroidery machine stitched out the arms and legs separately, as well as the body and head. I then attached everything together with standard doll joints. I made a few mistakes, especially when trying to figure out the head, but I am happy with how it turned out in the end.
I’m sure you already think embroidery machines are awesome, but in-the-hoop designs are beyond amazing!
I mean, just look at this cute bear…
Who would ever think it was sewn almost entirely with an embroidery machine?
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Also Read: 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Your First Embroidery Machine
Amazing designs and love to see such designs.