Here's the question from my mailbag...  " I need tips for getting my clothing items straight in my hoop. Seems like I'm always crooked. "

Rather than write an answer from our own experience, I've asked our readers to answer in our Discussion Forum.   Then I picked the response I liked best.  There were many great answers, but here's my favorite...

This winning answer was from "TrishRosema" and she has won a $10 Joann's gift card as our thank you for this response!

There were 59 responses to this question!  Some of the many runner-ups are posted here...

pbarron

1. Find the place of the object I want to embroider and mark it lightly with fabric marker. 2. Then I print a templete of the design I am sewing out and cut a small hole in the center (at the cross hairs that print on the design) 3. Now place the center of the templete over the marking on your object to embroider (shirt, towel, ect.) and attach it with pins. 4. Now I hold up obejct to be sure I like the placement of the design. 5. Now when I hoop it I can see the design templete thru the plastic templete that goes over my hoop. Using both as I hoop helps me get it hooped straight.

Jennilee

Those are great tips everyone! :) Okay....here is how I do T-shirts, Onesies , etc. I have finally figured out it is easiest for me NOT to hoop these items. Meaning I use a non-hoop method for embroidering on them. 1. Print a paper template of the design you are using or you can skip this step and wing it like I do. 2. First you need to mark the center of the Onesie or T-shirt. I just kind of eye the center, as some Onesies/ T-shirts are sewn crooked and measuring the exact center doesn't always produce the best results. Then, using the plastic grid template that came with your embroidery machine hoop, mark the center of the Onesie or T-shirt as well as putting dots at both sides and the top and bottom. I faintly mark the Onesie with a pencil. I do this because sometimes those disapearing/water soluble ink pens don't disappear. :( 3. Hoop tear away stabilzer or whichever stabilizer you prefer. Mark the center of your stabilizer, again using the plastic grid template that came with your machine. Mark the dots in the center, sides and top and bottom, then use a ruler to draw lines through the dots...so you end up with a large cross on your stabilizer. 4. Turn the Onesie or T-shirt inside out. Pin the Onesie or T-shirt to stabilizer using the pencil mark dots on the Onesie and on the lines on the stabilizer as guides. I use four pins (north, south, east, west and sometimes even pin the corners if the design is stich intensive). (If you are using a template: Cut out the template of the design and pin it to the Onesie in the position you desire). 5. Slide the hoop on the machine from the back (it's easier this way). 6. Check the design to make sure it is in the center of the Onesie/ T-shirt. I do this by importing the design to my embroidery machine, then touching the "center" button on my embroidery machine screen. The needle and the center mark on your Onesie should line up. Sometimes I will move the design up a tad if I want it closer to the neckline. (If using the paper design template use the arrow buttons on your embroidery machine screen to move the needle to middle of the template position (usually marked by crosshairs). 7. You are ready to embroider: The needle/embroidery foot should be in front of the excess Onesie/ T-shirt fabric and you will hold the back of the Onesie/ T-shirt fabric out of the way while you embroider. 8. When finished embroidering, take the Onesie/T-shirt off the machine by sliding it off the back of the embroidery machine. Trim jump stiches, tear away stabilizer. Wash out pen/ pencil marks. Let dry. You are done! See that wasn't that hard was it? Plus, it is always good to remember that "perfect" is great when it happens but when it doesn't you are just like 99% of the embroidered clothing sold in stores. If you ever take a good look at them they tend to be a little wonky too. ;) I hope this helps.

sillycat

Hmmm-a combo of what other have suggested. 1) Print a template first 2) Using BLUE painters tape, place tape under the center point, then using the template, I center it. Fold Vertically, draw line on tape, fold horzontally, place line on tape. 3) Now I have "Cross-hairs" to align my garmet, plus i have the center point to align my needle.

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