If you’re new to machine embroidery, you might be thinking that your hoop size is the same thing as your sewing/embroidery field. After all, the hoop size is how big a design can go, right?
Well...not quite. In order to accommodate the mechanics of the presser foot and needle, the sewing field is usually smaller than the physical hoop. The machine simply cannot stitch too closely to the edge of the inner hoop (without colliding) so there must be a buffer on all sides of the embroidery design.
Here are Kimberbell’s standard sizes for hoop sizes and their corresponding sewing fields:
| HOOP SIZE | SEWING FIELD |
| 4x4” | 3.94” x 3.94” (100mm x 100mm) |
| 5x7” | 5” x 7” (127mm x 177.8) |
| 6x10” | 5.7” x 9.45” (144.78mm x 240.03mm) |
| 8x8” | 7.87” x 7.87” (200 mm x 200 mm) |
| 8x12” | 7.87” x 11.75” (199.90mm x 298.45mm) |
| 9x9” | 9.05” x 9.05” (229.87mm x 229.87mm) |
| 9x14” | 9.4” x 14.1” (238.76mm x 358.14mm) |
Some machines take more than one hoop size, so be sure to check your manual! Entry-level machines generally use smaller hoops only, while top-of-the-line machines can fit several sizes.
