A Guide To Embroidery Hoops

So you want to start embroidery, but trying to work out what equipment and which tools you actually need has already got you confused? I have BEEN THERE! That's why, for my new series "Start Here Stitching," it made sense to begin with the all important embroidery hoop.

Best Embroidery Hoop Size for Beginners

If you're a complete beginner, I recommend starting with a 6-inch embroidery hoop. This is the size that the majority of my beginner-friendly patterns and DIY kits are designed for, and the size I use most in my workshops.

For me, it’s the Goldilocks of embroidery hoop sizes - not too big and not too small! A 6-inch hoop gives you plenty of room to practice your stitches without getting too overwhelmed. Starting with a smaller hoop can be more challenging because intricate stitching may become tricky. But at the same time, a 6-inch hoop isn’t too big — meaning:

• You won’t take on an overly ambitious project and lose motivation, and
• It’s easier to manage fabric tension, which makes stitching smoother (I’ll cover this more in my upcoming fabric blog post).

Of course, if you’ve downloaded a pattern from me or elsewhere, and it’s designed for a different size hoop, don’t fret! Just follow the recommended size in the pattern description. Most patterns will tell you the ideal hoop size upfront.

Wooden vs. Bamboo Embroidery Hoops: Which Should You Choose?

Now that you know the size to start with, what material should you choose?

I personally prefer wooden embroidery hoops over bamboo. Wooden hoops grip the fabric better, which holds tension more effectively — this not only makes stitching easier but also gives you a better finish. However, bamboo hoops can be a good budget-friendly option, especially if you're just giving embroidery a try. They’re also great for stitching on clothing (more on that in a future blog post).

Key Features to Look for in an Embroidery Hoop

Here’s a tip that I don’t hear many others talk about: Always check the screw and fitting at the top of the hoop, whether it's wooden or bamboo. This is easier to do in person, but if you're buying online, try to read product reviews or descriptions carefully. Here's what I look out for:

• Solid attachment: Is the screw firmly attached to the hoop? If the bracket wobbles, the fabric will lose tension constantly.
• Good grip on the screw: Make sure the screw is tight and firm. If it feels loose or flimsy, it won’t grip your fabric securely.
• Screw material: I’ve found that hoops with golden screws tend to perform better than silver ones (just a personal observation, but it works for me!).
• Snug fit: Does the inner hoop fit snugly into the outer one? If you tighten the screw and still see gaps between the two, it won’t hold the fabric properly.

My Recommended Embroidery Hoop Brand

Now, to save you from the trouble of trial and error, I’ll give you my go-to hoop brand right here: Elbesee. This is the brand I use in all my DIY kits and personal projects. Elbesee hoops have strong hardware, are made of solid wood (which you can easily stain if you want to customize them), and most importantly, they maintain excellent tension throughout your project.

This is just the beginning of my Start Here Stitching series, and if you follow me on Instagram I’m also sharing these tips as bitesize reels.

I'd love to hear any other questions you have? What's stopping you from getting started with embroidery? Do you have any advice you'd offer a beginner? I'd love to hear from you either in the comments here, or over on insta!

Speak soon,

Stephie x