Frequently Asked Questions About HoopMaster

The HoopMaster is a precision embroidery hooping system designed for accurate, repeatable garment placement. The Mighty Hoop is a patented magnetic embroidery hoop that uses powerful neodymium magnets to secure the garment and stabilizer without manual tightening. Each can be used independently, but they work even better together: the HoopMaster handles positioning, while the Mighty Hoop provides a strong, even grip. Together, they make embroidery hooping faster, easier, and more consistent.

Mighty Hoops are compatible with over 35 embroidery machine brands, including Avancé, Bai, Baby Lock, Barudan, Bernina, Bluesky, Brother, Butterfly, Elna, Happy, Highland, Holiauma, Husqvarna Viking, Inbro, Janome, Meistergram, Melco, Poolin, ProEMB, Redline, Ricoma, Ricoma EM1010, Ricoma Creator, SinSim, Smartstitch, SWF, SWF Sunny, Tajima, Tajima SAI, Toyota, XT Pro, and ZSK, among many others. Mighty Hoops work with almost all multi-needle embroidery machines. New brands and models are introduced frequently, so our website may not yet list every compatible machine. If yours is not listed, contact us; we may still have Mighty Hoops available for it. HoopMaster's Hoop Identifier tool confirms which Mighty Hoop sizes fit a specific machine model, and the Sewing Field Measurement guide helps determine the correct sewing field width before ordering.

To learn more about your machine and its sewing field size, read HoopMaster's guide, How to Measure Sewing Field Sizes.

The HoopMaster hooping station is compatible with traditional hoops from most embroidery machine brands, including Allied, Bai, Baby Lock, Barudan, Bernina, Brother (Commercial), Brother (PR), Butterfly, Durkee, Elna, Happy, Inbro, Janome, Meistergram, Melco, Poolin, ProEMB, Ricoma, Smartstitch, SWF, Tajima, Toyota, XTpro, and ZSK.

Mighty Hoops are available in 35+ sizes, ranging from small round hoops for sleeves and cap backs to large rectangular hoops for jacket backs. Some popular sizes include the 5.5", 7.25", 8x13", and 11x13". The full size list with dimensions is available on the Mighty Hoop product page.

The 12.5x15.75" and 13x16" Mighty Hoops are virtually identical in sewing area. The biggest difference is the shape of the corners. The 12.5x15.75" Mighty Hoop allows more room for the hooped garment to lay nicely when placed in the embroidery machine and helps keep the garment from getting caught on the machine itself. If your design will fit in the 12.5x15.75" Mighty Hoop, we recommend purchasing that size. The embroidery machine brand and model also determine which hoop can be used, and not all machines will fit both or either size. Use the Hoop Identifier tool to verify that the hoop will fit your machine before ordering. Click here for more information.

Yes. The neodymium magnets in Mighty Hoops automatically adjust to different garment thicknesses and can grip heavy workwear, canvas, leather, horse blankets, and other materials that traditional hoops cannot hold. Mighty Hoops have also been used on rain ponchos, velveteen blankets, knit sweaters, fleece pullovers, backpacks, and rugs.

Yes. Because Mighty Hoops use magnets instead of a clamp, there is no pinch point. The magnetic grip can hold fabric securely when hooping over zippers, seams, button plackets, and pockets without damaging them. This allows embroidery placement in areas that traditional hoops cannot reach.

Mighty Hoops significantly reduce hoop burn compared to traditional hoops. The magnetic grip distributes pressure evenly without the concentrated pinch of ring-and-clamp hoops. On thicker or plush materials, a temporary pressure ring may appear after extended hooping, but it fades on its own or disappears instantly with a quick steam.

Yes. Mighty Hoops are ideal for normal shirt hooping and even delicate fabrics. One advantage of Mighty Hoops is that they generally reduce hoop burn. Mighty Hoops hold fabric differently from traditional embroidery hoops. Unlike standard hoops, Mighty Hoops have a slight gap that allows the material to be held securely without being pinched, reducing the possibility of hoop burn. Leather, satin, performance wear, and vinyl are just a few of the additional materials that can be hooped using Mighty Hoops.

Mighty Hoops use powerful magnets positioned around the hoop to hold the garment securely and distribute pressure evenly. Unlike traditional hoops that require manual tightening and adjustment, the magnetic grip automatically accommodates different garment thicknesses while maintaining consistent tension around the entire hoop. This helps produce secure, even hooping without repeatedly adjusting an outer ring.

Mighty Hoops can fit multiple embroidery machines. Each hoop comes with one set of brackets for the machine it was ordered for, and additional bracket sets for other machines can be purchased separately. Before ordering additional brackets, confirm that the Mighty Hoop size fits both machines using HoopMaster's Hoop Identifier tool. You will need to unscrew and reinstall the brackets whenever you switch the Mighty Hoop between machines. These brackets fit only Mighty Hoops and will not fit other brands of aftermarket hoops or frames.

Yes. Unlike some magnetic hoops that require you to purchase an entirely new hoop, you can purchase just a new set of brackets to use a compatible Mighty Hoop on your new machine. Not every Mighty Hoop size fits every embroidery machine brand and model, so be sure to review the sewing field information listed on the individual machine-brand pages on our website before ordering brackets. If you are still unsure, email info@hoopmaster.com or call 262-257-0930. Our in-house Customer Service team will be happy to help you.

No. Mighty Hoops are very different in the way they are made and used. They are also much stronger and are made for commercial embroidery machines.

Yes. Mighty Hoops are available for the Brother single-needle Persona, PR1, PR1X, and PRS100, as well as the Baby Lock single-needle Alliance and Capella.

If you have any type of medical device that can be affected by magnets, consult your doctor before purchasing or using Mighty Hoops. A printable document titled Mighty Hoop Safety Warning is available under the Support tab on our website to provide to your doctor or medical professional for review.

Mighty Hoops have been used for years and have been thoroughly tested. When used properly, we have found no adverse effects on embroidery machines. Please review the general Mighty Hoop warnings for additional information.

Most Mighty Hoop fixtures will work on older HoopMaster Stations. The 13x16" fixture will only work on stations manufactured after approximately November 2010 unless a drilling jig is used to add the necessary holes. The 11x13" fixture requires holes that were added to stations beginning in 2006. If your station does not have the required holes, order the drilling jig with your fixture so you can add them.

The color of a Mighty Hoop does not indicate its magnetic strength. The color difference is related to the internal manufacturing process. White hoops are machined from solid plastic, which is only available in white. Blue hoops are injection molded, which allows us to change the color and produce the hoop faster. Both have the same number of magnets and the same holding strength.

White and blue Mighty Hoops have the same magnets and holding strength.

For easier handling during daily use, place the bottom ring upside down on top of the top ring at a slight angle between hoopings, with the white sides of both rings visible. This keeps each hoop together as a set while preventing the rings from snapping together or pinching your fingers. It also makes the rings much easier to separate before the next hooping because you are not fighting the full strength of the powerful magnets. Watch this video for a demonstration of the recommended method. When carrying Mighty Hoops, especially multiple hoops or hoops containing heavy garments, we recommend holding them by the plastic portion of the hoop rather than by the brackets. This provides better support and makes them easier to carry.

The HoopMaster Hooping System is an excellent choice if you want to continue using the standard embroidery hoops that came with your machine while making the hooping process faster, easier, and more accurate. It helps you hoop garments consistently without measuring and marking every item, allowing you to increase production and reduce setup time. You can also document design and logo placement for repeat orders, making future setups quick and accurate. Because the HoopMaster holds the garment and hoop in position, it can reduce strain on your arms, wrists, and back. It is also a cost-effective way to get started with a professional hooping system because you can use your existing embroidery hoops.

Mighty Hoops are an excellent place to start if you want to make hooping faster and easier while expanding the types of items you can embroider. Unlike traditional hoops that must be manually tightened and adjusted for different material thicknesses, Mighty Hoops use powerful magnets to automatically accommodate everything from lightweight garments to thick jackets, canvas, and other difficult-to-hoop items. Their magnetic grip helps maintain consistent tension around the entire hoop and reduces hoop burn by distributing pressure more evenly across the garment. Mighty Hoops can also make it easier to hoop over seams, zippers, pockets, and other challenging areas while reducing strain on your hands and wrists. They can be used independently with a compatible embroidery machine or paired with the HoopMaster Hooping System for faster, more accurate, and repeatable placement.

Using Mighty Hoops and the HoopMaster together provides the greatest combination of speed, accuracy, consistency, and ease of use. The HoopMaster holds the garment in position and provides precise, repeatable design placement without measuring and marking every item. The Mighty Hoop then uses powerful magnets to secure the garment quickly while maintaining consistent tension around the entire hoop. Together, they make it easier to hoop garments accurately, reduce hoop burn and physical strain, increase production, and document placement settings for fast, consistent setup on repeat orders.

The HoopMaster includes alignment tools such as a T-square and engraved placement letters and numbers that allow you to record the exact settings used for each design or logo. When a customer places a repeat order, you can return to those settings instead of measuring and marking every garment again. This makes setup faster and helps maintain accurate, consistent placement across production runs.

Yes. The HoopMaster creates a standardized hooping process that is easier for new employees to learn and follow. Its built-in guides, alignment tools, and adjustable fixtures reduce guesswork and help operators place designs consistently without relying on extensive hooping experience. Recorded placement settings also allow new employees to accurately reproduce previously completed orders.

Yes. By eliminating the need to measure and mark every garment, the HoopMaster can significantly reduce hooping and setup time. Its repeatable placement system allows an operator to prepare garments more quickly and consistently, making it easier to keep multiple embroidery machines or multi-head machines supplied with hooped items while reducing production delays and operator fatigue.

Yes. Mighty Hoops and the HoopMaster can benefit embroidery businesses of many sizes, from home-based businesses to high-volume commercial shops. Home-based embroiderers can use them to improve speed, accuracy, and consistency, while commercial operations can use them to standardize production, train employees, reduce operator fatigue, and keep pace with multiple embroidery machines. Each product can be used independently, or they can be paired for the greatest overall improvement in the hooping process.

Mighty Hoop Fixtures are hooping aids designed to make garments easier to hoop accurately and consistently. Size-specific Fixtures include magnetic backing-holder flaps to hold stabilizer securely, the patented Blue Clip to keep the magnetic Mighty Hoop in the Fixture while the garment is adjusted, and alignment lines and numbers for accurate, repeatable placement.

Most size-specific Mighty Hoop Fixtures include a FreeStyle Arm. The Fixture and FreeStyle Arm attach to the Portable Mounting Base for hooping smaller or difficult items such as tote bags, infant and toddler garments, beanies, backpacks, sleeves, and pant legs. The Fixture can also be removed from the FreeStyle Arm, turned over, and placed on a compatible HoopMaster Station. On the Station, it can be positioned within the available Station holes for left- or right-chest and center-front or center-back hooping.

There are three main options. A size-specific Fixture is made for one Mighty Hoop size and provides the most placement flexibility, including left- and right-chest hooping. A Station Adjustable Fixture attaches to its corresponding HoopMaster Station and adjusts to hold multiple Mighty Hoop sizes, but it is intended for center hooping only. The Adjustable FreeStyle Fixture attaches to the Portable Mounting Base and fits most Mighty Hoops measuring 13 inches tall or less, except the 4.375-inch Round Mighty Hoop. It is useful for sleeves, pant legs, beanies, totes, infant garments, and other smaller or difficult-to-hoop items.

No. Station Adjustable Fixtures must match the size of the HoopMaster Station. For example, the Standard HoopMaster Station requires the Standard Station Adjustable Fixture, while the Infant Station requires the Infant Station Adjustable Fixture. Be sure to order the corresponding Adjustable Fixture for the Station you use.

A Mighty Hoop Backing Holder is designed to securely hold backing material against the bottom ring of a Mighty Hoop during the hooping process. It is especially helpful when hooping small or tight areas such as sleeves, pant legs, and pockets. The Backing Holder keeps the stabilizer taut and securely in place while you slide the bottom ring into the garment.

No. The Mighty Hoop Backing Holder is used only during the hooping process. Always remove it before placing the Mighty Hoop onto your embroidery machine.

Because the Backing Holder is removed before the Mighty Hoop is placed onto the embroidery machine, you typically need only one Backing Holder for each Mighty Hoop size you use.

The HoopMaster Station Extender makes it easier to hoop larger garments. It attaches to the top of the Standard 16-inch HoopMaster Station and increases its width to 22 inches, providing additional support and workspace for larger items. The Station Extender is one of the most commonly added accessories because it makes the Standard HoopMaster Station even more versatile.

The Standard Station Adjustable Fixture attaches to the Standard HoopMaster Station and adjusts to hold most Mighty Hoops with a depth of 14 inches or less. It is designed for center hooping only and does not provide left- or right-chest positioning. Four magnetic flaps securely hold the backing material in place during the hooping process.

The Standard Station Adjustable Fixture can hold most Mighty Hoop sizes and is compatible with the Standard Station included in any Mighty Hoop Kit. However, it will not work with the 4.375-inch Round Mighty Hoop.

The Standard Station Adjustable Fixture is included with the 8x13-inch and 11x13-inch Mighty Hoop Kits.

Yes. The Standard Station Adjustable Fixture can be purchased separately for use with the Standard HoopMaster Station.

The Pocket Guide helps you align a garment straight in the Mighty Hoop before hooping. It is especially useful when placing left- or right-chest embroidery designs above a pocket. The Pocket Guide rests securely in the two notches on the top ring of the Mighty Hoop, providing a straight reference for garment alignment.

We strongly recommend pairing the Pocket Guide with a Weak Bottom Ring when hooping garments that are thinner than a sweatshirt. Using the two accessories together makes it easier to align and securely hoop thinner items.

The Station Extension makes the end of the HoopMaster Station longer and more square, providing additional support when using larger hoops such as the 17x16-inch Mighty Hoop. It can be attached to either the top or bottom of the HoopMaster Station, depending on where the additional support is needed.

You only need one Station Extension. Although product images may show it attached to both the top and bottom of the HoopMaster Station to demonstrate the available placement options, only one Station Extension is included with your purchase, and you do not need to order two.

The Adjustable FreeStyle Fixture attaches to the Portable Mounting Base rather than the HoopMaster Station. It adjusts to hold most Mighty Hoops measuring up to 13 inches tall, including the 4.25x13-inch Mighty Hoop, but it is not compatible with the 4.375-inch Round Mighty Hoop. It is intended for flexible FreeStyle hooping and is not recommended for left- or right-chest placement.

The Adjustable FreeStyle Fixture is ideal for hooping smaller items that do not require or are too small to fit on the HoopMaster Station. Common uses include beanie hats, tote bags, infant garments, sleeves, and pant legs.

The Tubular Hoop Support slides onto the embroidery machine's bobbin arm to provide additional support when using hoops or frames. It supports the extra weight of heavy items, helping reduce unwanted pressure on the machine's arms. It can also reduce the bouncing that may occur when embroidering with lightweight frames.

The Tubular Hoop Support is only compatible with Brother and Baby Lock one-, six-, and ten-needle tubular embroidery machines.

Go to our documents and downloads page and look for the document for your machine: hoopmaster.com/mighty-hoop-resources.

The HoopMaster Home Edition is designed specifically for flatbed Brother and Baby Lock embroidery machines. Kits are currently available for the PC-8500, Innov-is, SE-PE (supporting 40+ models), and ULT series. The Home Edition uses the machine's original OEM hoops and features a patented magnetic backing material holder.

Yes. You only need to purchase a bracket for the second machine model.

No. HoopMaster hoop-holding brackets have special pins that lock them onto the station. Other brands of hooping devices use different bracket-mounting methods, so the holes are different sizes.

No. The HoopMaster Home Edition is designed for flatbed embroidery machines only and will not work with commercial multi-needle machines such as Tajima, Barudan, Melco, BAI, Smartstitch, SWF, or Ricoma.

Yes. We are working on brackets for most home embroidery machines. Check the HoopMaster website for updates.

Individual Mighty Hoops range from $125 to $249. Mighty Hoop Starter Kits start at $541 and include a HoopMaster Station, a 5.5" Mighty Hoop with 5.5" Fixture, T-Square, and Portable Mounting Base. Upgraded kits with additional larger hoops are available for $816 to $835. All pricing is listed on hoopmaster.com.

Shipping costs vary based on the size and weight of your order and its destination. We use the best shipping rates available to us, and your exact shipping cost is calculated and displayed at checkout.

HoopMaster orders typically ship the same business day, Monday through Friday. Orders ship from Germantown, Wisconsin, via UPS or FedEx, with delivery typically taking 1 to 4 business days within the United States, depending on the destination. Although it is extremely rare, if an item is out of stock, we will contact you about any possible delay.

Yes. Next Day Air, Second Day Air, and additional expedited options are available through UPS and FedEx. These options are available at website checkout, or you can call us for a quote.

HoopMaster generally directs international customers to regional resellers to help avoid complications with customs and taxes. HoopMaster products have been sold to over 103 countries. International customers can email info@hoopmaster.com to be matched with a reseller for their machine, brand, and country. If no reseller is available in the customer's country, HoopMaster can assist with placing and shipping the order directly.

HoopMaster accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Apple Pay and Android Pay are also accepted through the HoopMaster website.

HoopMaster provides a three-year warranty on all products. If something happens to a product during the warranty period, call us so we can help get you back up and running. Because every product is manufactured in-house at the Germantown, Wisconsin facility, HoopMaster can replace individual components down to the smallest screw rather than requiring a full product replacement.

Because HoopMaster builds its products in-house, individual components can be replaced down to a nut or bolt. If your warranty has expired, call us for assistance. You may not need to purchase an entirely new product.

HoopMaster offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Products may be returned for any reason as long as they are undamaged and returned in saleable condition. The refund is minus shipping cost. To initiate a return, call 262-257-0930, extension 1.

The neodymium magnets in Mighty Hoops are permanent. Under optimum conditions, they lose only a small fraction of their magnetic performance every 100 years. Mighty Hoops are built for daily commercial use and do not weaken over time with normal operation.

Every HoopMaster and Mighty Hoop product is designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA at the company's facility in Germantown, Wisconsin. HoopMaster employs approximately 50 skilled workers and controls the entire manufacturing process in-house.

Midwest Products, Inc. (the company behind HoopMaster) has been in the embroidery industry since 1983. The HoopMaster hooping station was patented in 1998. The company began as a contract embroidery operation serving clients including McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Briggs & Stratton, and the Olympic Games. The production challenges they faced running high-volume embroidery led directly to the invention of the HoopMaster.

Yes. HoopMaster is part of Midwest Products, Inc., a family-run company that began in 1983 as a small home embroidery business called Midwest Embroidery. The family's experience growing that business into a large contract embroidery operation led to the development of the HoopMaster, which was patented in 1998, and later the patented Mighty Hoop. Today, Midwest Products manufactures most HoopMaster and Mighty Hoop parts in-house, employs approximately 50 people, and remains proud to be a small, family-run operation making and assembling quality products in the USA.

Charles and Jesse Mack of Midwest Products, Inc. invented the patented Mighty Hoop and introduced tubular magnetic embroidery hoop technology to the embroidery industry. Their experience operating a high-volume contract embroidery business helped them develop a faster, easier, and more versatile alternative to traditional embroidery hoops.

Mighty Hoops are designed, engineered, manufactured, assembled, and originally shipped from the Midwest Products, Inc. facility in Germantown, Wisconsin, USA. Although HoopMaster has distributors throughout the world, every Mighty Hoop begins at the Germantown facility. This allows Midwest Products to maintain consistent quality and support its products directly.

No. Mighty Hoops work on their own with any compatible embroidery machine. The HoopMaster station is a separate product that makes using Mighty Hoops faster, easier, and more accurate by adding precision placement and repeatable positioning. Mighty Hoops were designed with the HoopMaster in mind to give embroiderers the best hooping experience possible. Many embroiderers start with Mighty Hoops and add a HoopMaster station later when they want documented, repeatable placement for production runs and repeat orders.

HoopMaster recommends starting with the 5.5" Mighty Hoop because of its versatility and because it fits many common embroidery placements, including left-chest logos, cap backs, and small designs. However, we also suggest considering your own embroidery needs and niche. Look at your average design sizes to help determine which hoop may cover the greatest number of your needs when starting out. The Recommended Mighty Hoop Sizes blog post covers which sizes work best for specific garment types and placements.

Start by considering the Mighty Hoop sizes you use, the items you embroider, and whether you need left- or right-chest placement, center hooping, or a portable FreeStyle setup. For a complete size-by-size breakdown and help comparing the available options, read our blog, Which Mighty Hoop Fixture Do You Need for Embroidery?

HoopMaster's sales and support team is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT. Call 262-257-0930 or email info@hoopmaster.com. The team provides unlimited customer support and can help match products to a specific machine model, hoop size needs, and production workflow.

You will speak with one of our friendly, knowledgeable Customer Support team members. Our entire support team works from our Germantown, Wisconsin, office and is well versed in all things HoopMaster and Mighty Hoop.

Mighty Hoops are the original and only U.S.-patented tubular magnetic embroidery hoops. They are designed and manufactured by Midwest Products, Inc. and incorporate patented technology developed specifically for machine embroidery. Mighty Hoops and HoopMaster Fixtures are covered by five U.S. patents. Other tubular magnetic hoops may look similar or be sold under different names and colors, but a product that uses Midwest Products patented features that are used in the Mighty Hoop, or copies its trademarks or copyrighted materials without authorization, violates U.S. intellectual property laws when it is made, used, offered for sale, sold, or imported into the United States. Midwest Products, Inc. actively protects and enforces its patent, trademark, copyright, and other intellectual property rights.

Authentic Mighty Hoops are clearly marked with the Mighty Hoop trademarks and applicable U.S. patent information. To ensure you are receiving a genuine product, purchase directly from HoopMaster or an authorized HoopMaster reseller. If you are unsure whether a product or seller is authorized, contact HoopMaster before purchasing.

U.S. utility patents protect the inventions defined by the patent claims, including protected aspects of how a product is constructed, functions, and operates. They give the patent owner the right to prevent others from making, using, offering for sale, selling, or importing the patented invention in the United States without authorization. Changing a product's color, name, or superficial appearance does not avoid patent infringement if the product still uses the features covered by the patent claims. Trademarks separately protect brand identifiers such as names and logos, while copyrights protect original creative materials.