Ensuring your fabric is taut in the hoop is the best way to create great-looking embroidery.

Once you have placed your fabric in between the two rings of the hoop, work your way around the edge of the hoop pulling the fabric taut and then tightening the screw in turn.Continue to do this until your fabric is taut, like a drum skin, and no creases remain. If you find it hard to tighten the screw by hand you can use pliers. Each time you pick up your hoop to sew, double check your fabric is taut and tighten the screw again if you need to.Each time you pick up your hoop to stitch double check the screw is firmly tightened and the fabric is still taut.