Table of Contents
Watch the video: “How to Install Custom Hoop Sizes on a Happy Japan Embroidery Machine” by Pink Bird Originals
When you load a magnetic hoop that your Happy Japan doesn’t “know,” you’re flying blind. This tutorial shows how to measure your hoop precisely, format the data in a simple .txt file, and upload it so the machine draws a safety line on-screen. Safer stitching, fewer needle crashes—confidence restored.
What you’ll learn
- How to square, trace, and measure a non-standard hoop (Type 1 with rounded corners)
- How to collect 10 center-to-edge measurements at 10° increments in millimeters
- How to format a custom hoop .txt file with Type, Name, and Form values
- How to upload, center, and verify your hoop with the on-screen safety line and a trace test
Introduction to Custom Hoops Non-standard hoops, like magnetic hoops, aren’t pre-programmed into the Happy Japan interface. That’s why the machine can’t automatically detect their boundaries. The solution is to measure your hoop’s shape and tell the machine exactly where the safe stitching area lies.
Why Use Non-Standard Hoops? Magnetic hoops can improve convenience and fabric handling, but they introduce risk if the machine doesn’t know the hoop’s limits. Properly measuring and programming the hoop adds a visible red safety boundary on the machine’s display to warn you before the needle approaches the physical frame. This guide follows the process exactly as demonstrated in the video, focused on Type 1 hoops (rounded corners).
Understanding Happy Japan Frame Types The video centers on Type 1 frames—the kind with curved edges. Type 2 frames are square. If you’re working with Type 1, you’ll map the curvature by measuring and entering angle-based distances. If your hoop is a square Type 2, input is simpler, but that scenario isn’t covered in the demonstration.
Pro tip
- Keep everything strictly in millimeters for consistency and compatibility.
Gathering Your Tools and Materials To replicate the tutorial precisely, you’ll need: a non-standard hoop (the presenter uses a 15 cm magnetic hoop), plain paper, a ruler, a protractor (a printed one works—just trim it cleanly), and a pencil. You’ll also need a computer with a basic text editor (like Notepad) and a USB stick to transfer the file to your embroidery machine.
Watch out
- If you print a protractor, cut it to the lines so extra paper margins don’t introduce parallax or alignment errors.
The Essential Toolkit
- Non-standard hoop (example: 15 cm magnetic hoop)
- Plain paper and a flat, clear workspace
- Ruler and pencil (erasable is helpful for fine adjustments)
- Protractor (printed is fine; accuracy matters)
- Computer with Notepad (or any editor that saves .txt)
- USB stick to transfer the file
Quick check
- Confirm your frame type. This tutorial covers Type 1 (rounded corners) on a Happy Japan machine. happy japan embroidery machine
Measuring Your Custom Hoop Accurately This is where precision pays off. You’ll create a squared reference on paper, trace the hoop, locate the true center, and mark angle increments before measuring distances.
Squaring Your Workspace Start by creating a square reference on your paper: measure 10 mm in from two adjacent edges and draw straight lines. This gives you perpendicular baselines to align the hoop. Position the hoop so those lines sit just inside its edges, then trace the hoop carefully to capture its exact outer perimeter.
From the comments
- Viewers reported success using this approach for multiple custom hoop sizes on their Happy Japan machines after carefully tracing and measuring.
With your hoop traced and aligned to the reference, you now have a faithful outline to work from. Take your time—clean, confident lines make the next steps easier.
Plotting Degrees and Distances Find the center by drawing diagonals corner-to-corner within your squared reference; the intersection is your center point. Verify the center by checking equal measurements from the center to opposite edges.
Align your protractor: place its center on the drawing’s center point, matching the protractor’s 90° line with your horizontal axis. Mark 10° increments across the relevant quadrant(s)—the video shows working from 90° toward 180° to capture the corner curvature.
Watch out
- Avoid drawing full radial lines. Mark the degree ticks, then measure directly with your ruler. Drawing full lines can clutter the drawing and make it hard to see the precise center.
Now measure: with the ruler’s zero exactly on the center point, align it to each 10° tick. Read the millimeter distance where the ruler meets the traced hoop edge at that angle. Record the distance right next to the mark. Repeat for all the 10° increments you’ve marked.
Quick check
- Are you consistently measuring to the curved line of the hoop outline? Are all values in millimeters? Keep the ruler’s zero locked on the center every time. magnetic hoops for happy embroidery machine
Repeat until you have your full set of distances for the rounded section. The presenter’s final set (for a 15 cm square magnetic hoop) includes values like 75, 78, 81, 86, 90, 93, 94, 95, 96, 96 mm—yours will depend on your hoop.
When you’re done, your drawing should show the hoop outline, center, degree ticks, and a clear row of millimeter measurements.
Creating the Custom Hoop Data File With measurements in hand, you’ll compile them into a simple text file that the Happy Japan machine can read.
Notepad: Your Digital Blueprint Open Notepad (or any editor that can save plain .txt files). You’ll enter four parts, each on its own line: Type, Name, Form, and END. The video focuses on Type 1.
Formatting Your Measurements for the Machine
- Type = 1
- Name = "MagSq150" (or your chosen name; minimum 8 characters total)
- Form = 10 comma-separated measurements (no comma after the last one)
- END (in uppercase)
For example: Type = 1 Name = "MagSq150" Form = 75, 78, 81, 86, 90, 93, 94, 95, 96, 96 END
Save the file to your USB stick as a .txt. If your system adds an asterisk or any wildcard in the Save As dialog, remove it, and ensure the extension is .txt. The name must meet the minimum character requirement.
Watch out
- Spacing matters: include spaces around the equals sign (e.g., Type = 1). The machine expects this exact syntax.
Save As tips - Choose the USB drive as your destination and explicitly type .txt in the filename. Confirm the file shows as a text document on the USB.
From the comments
- A number of viewers noted the tutorial helped them create multiple custom hoop sizes—because the machine only needs a correctly formatted Type, Name, and Form.
Uploading and Activating Your Custom Hoop Now it’s time to transfer the file and display the safety line on screen.
Transferring Data to Your Embroidery Machine Insert the USB stick into your Happy Japan embroidery machine. From the home screen, tap the green hoop icon, then Change, and select the custom setting (the USB-to-multi-needle style icon). Locate your Custom Hoops folder on the USB and select your .txt file.
If the machine shows the file, you’re ready. Select it to load the custom hoop.
Centering and Safety Checks After loading, the machine may show non-zero axis values (the video shows -2 and -4 initially). Use the arrow keys to set both X and Y to 0.0, then press Set. You should now see your custom hoop outline with a red inner safety line on the display.
Quick check
- Is the red safety line visible inside the hoop outline on-screen? That indicates the boundary the machine will respect during tracing.
From the comments
- One viewer asked how to remove a custom hoop. Another viewer suggested writing a new one “on top of it.” The tutorial does not show an official removal method.
Ensuring Safety with a Trace Test Before stitching, always perform a trace of your design with the custom hoop selected. Watch the presser foot closely as the machine outlines the design. The foot should stay inside the red safety line and well clear of the physical hoop frame.
If the trace suggests the design may breach the safety boundary, re-check your measurements and the entries in your .txt file. This single test can prevent a needle strike.
Watch out
- Skipping the trace can result in the needle contacting the hoop. A trace takes seconds and saves needles, hoops, and time. embroidery machine hoops
Troubleshooting at a Glance
- The machine doesn’t recognize the file: Confirm it’s plain .txt, the Name is at least 8 characters, and the exact spacing is used in lines (Type = 1, Name = "...", Form = ...).
- The safety line looks wrong: Re-measure from the true center, confirm protractor alignment, and verify each 10° measurement is to the curved edge.
- Can’t save the file: In the Save As dialog, remove any asterisks and type .txt explicitly.
From the comments: Common Questions Q: How do I make a profile for a 220 × 130 mm rectangular magnetic hoop? A: The tutorial demonstrates Type 1 (rounded corners). Follow the same method: trace, mark 10° increments, measure center-to-edge distances in millimeters across the curved corner, then enter those 10 values in the Form line. The video does not provide specific values for 220 × 130 mm; measure your own hoop carefully. magnetic embroidery frames
Q: Does this work for Brother PR machines? A: The creator notes the video is specific to Happy Japan. They don’t know if Brother PR machines accept custom hoop installations. Check your manual for a custom frames/hoops section.
Q: Does this formula work for Ricoma machines? A: The creator isn’t sure. They recommend checking the Ricoma manual for a section on custom hoops.
Q: How do I remove a custom hoop I added? A: One viewer suggests writing a new custom hoop over it. The tutorial doesn’t show an official removal method, so consult your machine’s manual for definitive steps. magnetic embroidery hoops
Pro tip
- Keep a notebook or digital file with your measured Form values and filenames. If you ever remake a hoop profile, you won’t have to re-measure from scratch.
Why accuracy matters Each distance you enter shapes the machine’s understanding of your hoop’s boundary. Precise center alignment, clean angle marks, and millimeter-exact distances result in a reliable red safety line. This is what helps prevent the needle from dropping onto the frame.
Measure like a pro
- Use an erasable pencil so you can correct marks without obscuring the center.
- Double-check the first and last of your 10° increments—they often reveal alignment drift.
- Keep the protractor’s center point clear of extra markings; clutter hides errors.
Closing thoughts The process is surprisingly approachable: a squared piece of paper, a protractor, a ruler, and careful note-taking. In minutes, those measurements become a small text file that unlocks safer stitching on your Happy Japan machine. The on-screen safety line and a habit of tracing designs will protect your needles and your hoops, so you can focus on clean, confident embroidery.
If you work across different brands or hoop systems, confirm whether your machine supports custom hoop input. Manuals vary, and not all models offer the same features. happy japan hoops
Looking ahead Once you’re comfortable with this process, you can build a small library of hoop profiles. Label them clearly, keep backups on your USB, and trace before you stitch—every time. embroidery magnetic hoop
A note on other ecosystems This guide is based entirely on the Happy Japan workflow shown in the video. If you’re exploring other ecosystems, consult the relevant manuals to understand hoop types, file formats, and whether custom frames are supported. happy embroidery machine hoops