Basic Directions for Preparing

And Aligning Split Designs for

Multi-Hoop Sew-outs

Prepared and copyrighted by

Barbara Carlson

February 5, 2003

Using “Victoria” design from

Machine Cross Stitch Victorian Ladies by

Although “Victoria” is used to illustrate this method, it can be used on any multi-hoop embroidery design (either cross-stitch or regular), as long as you have software that enables you to edit a design. I use Pfaff’s PC Designer, which uses a vertical and horizontal line drawn through the design center point to create a “bulls eye” for hooping a design. If your machine uses a different process for hooping, adapt these steps accordingly.

Preparing for hooping

Open each design in your software and “clean up” unnecessary stitches left by design splitting. Add two or three new stitches at the beginning of each design that will be used later to line the design up after hooping and before sewing out the design. Use the following illustrations as references.

Screen shot of new stitches 1 and 2 added in Pfaff software (design #3):

Remember to re-name and save each new design after adding the stitches. Print out each design section in a 1:1 (actual size) format. Cut away excess paper and tape the segments together to make an actual-size template (see Illustration 1). Find the exact center of the template by using a ruler or by folding the design in half horizontally and vertically.

Illustration 1: Template showing vertical and horizontal lines drawn through center as well as each of the six design center points (the red lines are drawn to show where design sections are taped together tomake a template and are only for illustration). On the fabric you’re going to be embroidering the design, draw your vertical andhorizontalmarks so that they intersect in the spot that will be the exact center of the finished embroidered design using a fabric marking pencil.

Illustration 2: Lightly spray a piece of water-soluble stabilizer (WSS) with a spray adhesive and smoothly lay it over the template. Carefully transfer the center horizontal and vertical lines (the black lines from illustration 1) as well as each of the six center points to the WSS by tracing. Using the horizontal and vertical lines as a gauge to assure straightness, draw through each of the six center points the vertical and horizontal lines that will be used for hooping each design. Circle each center point to assist in recognizing when hooping.

Hooping and Embroidering

Stabilize your design appropriately, using whichever stabilizer works best for you.

Design 1 does not require any special aligning as it is the first one to be embroidered. Hoop, using the center point and the vertical and horizontal lines drawn on the WSS (blue lines in Illustration 2). When done, un-hoop and carefully smooth out the WSS without shifting or pulling it (use the template to realign, if necessary).

Design 2 is the first section that will have to be aligned with another section (design 1). Carefully hoop, again making sure the WSS doesn’t move (use more spray adhesive if you need to) and using the appropriate center point and vertical and horizontal lines (orange in Illustration 2). When it’s hooped and attached to your machine, move your machine needle to the center/beginning point. Then, by hand, move the machine’s flywheel so that the (unthreaded) needle moves to the first stitch you added in your software, then to the second, and then to the third (if there is a third). Watch where the needle pierces the fabric with each of these stitches. If it doesn’t pierce the fabric in exactly the right spots in relation to the previously sewn out portion of the design (refer to pictures on pages 8 through 12), move the needle accordingly. If one stitch is in the right spot and another one is not, then you need to adjust your hooping.

When you are satisfied that your alignment is correct, embroider. Move on to design 3, 4, 5, and 6 using the same steps.

I hope you have success working with these directions. If you find any errors or have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at <>