Table of Contents
Introducing the Bernina Large Freearm Hoop
Pam from Hayes Sewing Machine Company introduces Bernina’s Large Freearm Hoop and immediately frames the problem it solves: embroidering cylindrical or tubular items—tote bags, tees, sleeves—without stitching the back to the front. The freearm path keeps the opposite layer safely out of the needle’s way.
Pro tip Plan projects where the item can slide over the free arm: totes, T-shirts, and other tubular pieces are prime candidates. bernina magnetic hoops
Machine Compatibility: Is Your Bernina Ready?
Pam clarifies compatibility up front: the hoop works with Bernina Next Gen 5 series machines (they use the larger “big bobbin”), 7 series, and the 880. If your 5 series isn’t the Next Gen with the big bobbin, it’s not specified as compatible here.
Watch out Before you shop, verify your exact machine model and bobbin type. Using an incompatible machine can lead to recognition issues or blocked hoop selection. magnetic embroidery hoops for bernina
Understanding the 'Big Bobbin' Requirement
The “big bobbin” note matters because it’s tied to which 5 series generation you own. Hayes Sewing’s demo specifically references Next Gen 5 series with the big bobbin, plus 7 series and 880. If you aren’t sure which bobbin your machine uses, check your manual or your machine’s formatting on the model page.
Firmware Updates: A Must for New Hoops
On the machine screen, you’ll need to see and select L-FA (Large Freearm) in the hoop list. If you don’t, Pam emphasizes updating to the highest firmware version available (via bernina.com) so the machine recognizes the hoop. Firmware details beyond “highest version” aren’t specified in the video, but the presence of “L-FA” is your quick check.
Quick check Open your hoop menu and look for the L-FA option. If it’s missing, update your firmware, then check again. bernina magnetic hoop
Optimizing Your Design: Template and Area Limitations
Pam shares a printed copy of the included template—the visual map of the hoop’s stitching field. This template is your north star for placement and scale before you ever press Start.
Decoding the Hoop Template
Two takeaways from the demo: 7 series and 880 users can access the full gridded field; some Next Gen 5 series users have a slightly smaller usable area, clearly marked. The template provides grids and guide lines so you can center and rotate graphics with confidence.
5 Series vs. 7/880 Series: Usable Embroidery Space
In the video, a pink line marks where the 5 series Next Gen field ends—Pam notes it’s about 3/8" less space. It’s not a huge loss, but it is enough to push a border or lettering out of bounds if you aren’t watching the guides. Place and, if needed, scale your design to keep it comfortably inside the usable region.
From the comments A viewer asks about quilting three layers with this hoop; Hayes Sewing recommends Bernina’s new Clamp Hoop for quilting with your embroidery unit. They note they don’t have a video on that yet. magnetic hoop for bernina
Hooping Made Easy: The Ratchet Mechanism
Pam shows the hoop’s parts: a clear grid with gray clips that help the grid sit properly, and a hoop with a distinctive back—this is where the ratcheting happens. The ratchet is a small quality-of-life upgrade that makes tightening and loosening easier on your hands, promoting even tension around the ring.
Components of the Large Freearm Hoop
- Clear grid with gray clips: These align and stabilize your fabric inside the hoop frame.
- Hoop structure: Designed to let your project wrap around the free arm so layers don’t stack under the needle.
- Ratchet mechanism: Provides incremental tightening and a more consistent hold during hooping.
Tips for Perfect Fabric Tension
Aim for smooth, drum-like tautness without warping your fabric. If you see ripples or slack, release, re-seat the edge, and ratchet again in small increments. The tote in the video is hooped snugly before going to the machine, and the ratchet makes that setup less strenuous.
Watch out If clips aren’t seated or the grid isn’t fully in the track, fabric can creep. Re-clip and re-ratchet before proceeding.
Step-by-Step Embroidery on a Tote Bag
Pam’s project: a store-bought tote that already says “Sew it yourself!” on one side. On the other side, she stitches “One stitch at a time!” The sequence below follows her on-screen and mechanical steps.
Preparing Your Bernina Machine
- Load the design on your Bernina. In the demo, the B590 screen shows “One stitch at a time!”
- On the left side of the screen, select the correct hoop: L-FA (Large Freearm).
- Confirm the design fits inside the visible boundary for your machine. On the right side of the screen, the interface shades out a zone you shouldn’t enter on certain 5 series models.
Pro tip If the design grazes the boundary, nudge or rotate it so there’s breathing room. Pam shows the design confined neatly within the hoop outline before proceeding.
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Attaching and Embroidering with the Freearm Hoop
- When the machine prompts you, remove any hoop currently attached.
- Slide the hooped tote onto the free arm. Pam tucks the tote body down and ensures the handles are completely out of the way. This keeps the needle from catching the back.
- From the side, you can see the tote wraps cleanly around the free arm—this is the essence of freearm embroidering.
- Confirm the correct embroidery foot is attached.
- Press Start. The machine begins stitching; trim the starting thread tail if needed.
Quick check At the first few stitches, pause and confirm no loose fabric is in the needle’s path. If something shifts, stop, free it, and re-tuck before resuming. dime snap hoop monster bernina
Achieving Flawless Results
Pam’s stitch-out completes cleanly. Remove the hoop by lifting and angling it off the arm. Trim any thread tails between letters or motif segments and admire the finish.
Post-embroidery finishing touches
- Trim jump stitches and tails.
- Check the back of the tote for any snags before unhooping.
- If needed, give the area a light press, taking care not to flatten texture that should remain raised.
Creative projects for your new freearm setup
- Totes and bags: Add slogans, monograms, or badges to one side only.
- Tees and tubular garments: Sleeves are more manageable when they can slip over the arm.
- Small cylindrical items: If it fits around the arm and into the hoop, you can keep backs clear.
From the comments Question: Will this hoop be easier to use for quilting with three layers? Answer (from Hayes Sewing Machine Company): They recommend Bernina’s new Clamp Hoop instead for quilting with your embroidery unit. A video on that was not available at the time of the comment.
Troubleshooting at a glance
- L-FA hoop not listed in your menu: Update firmware to the latest version on bernina.com. Re-check the hoop list after updating.
- Design sits in a shaded no-stitch area on screen: Reposition or scale within the valid boundaries.
- Fabric shifts in the hoop: Re-hoop using the gray clips and ratchet in small increments for even tension.
- Accidentally catching the back layer: Pause, free the fabric, re-tuck around the free arm, and verify clearance before resuming.
Why the freearm approach matters Traditional flatbed hooping can force you to flatten or fold layers under the needle. With the freearm workflow, the project circles the arm, so only the intended surface reaches the needle. That’s the key to single-sided, clean finishes on tubular items.
Accessory note This demonstration focuses on the Bernina Large Freearm Hoop. It doesn’t specify other accessories beyond the included grid and gray clips, plus basic tools like scissors. For quilting layers, the shop recommends Bernina’s new Clamp Hoop (per their YouTube reply), which isn’t covered in the video. magnetic embroidery hoops for bernina
Set yourself up for success
- Compatibility first: Next Gen 5 series with big bobbin, 7 series, and 880.
- Update firmware until L-FA appears.
- Use the template to visualize placement and avoid the 5 series restricted zone.
- Hoop with the ratchet for consistent tension.
- Tuck, test, and stitch.
In case you’re comparing hooping options This Large Freearm Hoop is optimized for free-arm access on Bernina models listed above. If you’re exploring other hoop styles or brand-agnostic accessories, make sure they’re documented as compatible with your exact machine model and software level. bernina magnetic hoop
Final thought The freearm path turns tricky tubular projects into straightforward stitch-outs. Follow Pam’s screen prompts, keep that L-FA selected, and you’ll get clean, single-layer embroidery on totes and tees with far less fuss. magnetic embroidery hoops for bernina