Hoop size guide

8 × 8 in embroidery hoop (200 × 200 mm)

A square hoop with a 200 × 200 mm (about 8 × 8 in) stitch area. It is the usual choice for quilt blocks and square designs, but only on machines whose field is at least 200 mm both ways. Machines limited to 5 × 7 or 6 × 10 in cannot use it.

A 8 × 8 in hoop gives about 62 square inches of stitch area: 8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm). 45 machines in our guide can stitch this size in one hooping.

8 × 8 in next to 5 × 12 in and 6 × 10 in, drawn to scale.

What fits in a 8 × 8 in hoop

Quilt-block designs up to about 7.7 in (195 mm) square
Pillowcase and cushion-cover motifs up to about 7.7 in (195 mm) square
Large single motifs for wall hangings and framed pieces
Square wreath, crest and monogram designs up to about 7.7 in (195 mm)
Round designs up to about 7.7 in (195 mm) across

Needs a bigger hoop

Jacket backs and full-front designs taller than about 8 in (200 mm)
Banner or border designs wider than about 8 in (200 mm)
9 in (229 mm) quilt blocks
Long names or slogans that need a rectangular hoop such as 8 × 12 in (200 × 300 mm)

Good to know: Makers agree on this size. Baby Lock's EF91 hoop, the Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff quilter's hoops and Janome's SQ20b are all 200 × 200 mm, and Embird lists a Brother square hoop at the same size. Eight inches is 203.2 mm, so the metric figure is the one to trust. The field is square, so rotating a design never helps. The machine's maximum area must be at least 200 mm in both directions. A 5 × 7 in or 6 × 10 in machine does not have the travel, even with the hoop attached. Check the hoop's compatibility list: Baby Lock lists the EF91 for models such as the Altair, Solaris and Meridian, and a Janome parts retailer lists the SQ20b for the Memory Craft 400E and 500E. Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff both sell 200 × 200 mm quilter's hoops, and Pfaff calls its hoop a good size for 8 in quilt blocks. Viking's version is a metal magnetic hoop that uses eight magnets instead of an inner ring.

Standard placements that fit at typical size: left chest, pocket, sleeve, cap front, cap side and back, beanie, towel, baby onesie, baby bib, tote bag, pillow cover, quilt block, patch. See the design size chart.

Check your exact design size

Machines that can stitch a 8 × 8 in design

Machines whose largest field is 8 × 8 in

Machine	Type	Formats	Typical price
Brother PRS100	Embroidery only	.PES, .PHC, .DST, .PEN	$3,999–$4,499
Janome Memory Craft 400E	Embroidery only	.JEF	$1,399–$1,699
Baby Lock Alliance	Embroidery only	.PES, .PHC, .PEC, .DST	—

Machines with a bigger field (also fit 8 × 8 in designs)

Machine	Field	Type	Typical price
Janome MB-7	9.5 × 8 in	Multi-needle	$5,999
Janome MB-4S	9.5 × 8 in	Multi-needle	$4,999
Pfaff creative 3.0	10 × 8 in	Sewing and embroidery	$3,599–$5,299
Janome Memory Craft 500E	11 × 8 in	Embroidery only	$2,099–$2,399
Poolin EOC06	8 × 11 in	Embroidery only	$1,059–$1,299
Brother PR680W	12 × 8 in	Multi-needle	$12,999–$13,629
Brother VM5200	8 × 12 in	Sewing and embroidery	$5,499–$5,500
Brother PR655	12 × 8 in	Multi-needle	—
Brother PR670E	12 × 8 in	Multi-needle	—
Brother PR650	12 × 8 in	Multi-needle	—
Baby Lock Array	12 × 8 in	Multi-needle	$13,249–$14,574
Brother PR620	12 × 8 in	Multi-needle	—
Brother Innov-is Quattro 6000D	8 × 12 in	Sewing and embroidery	—
Baby Lock Pathfinder	8 × 12 in	Embroidery only	$4,084–$4,299
Brother PR600II	12 × 8 in	Multi-needle	—
Brother PR1X	12 × 8 in	Embroidery only	$6,999–$11,899
Ricoma EM-1010	12.2 × 8.3 in	Multi-needle	$5,079–$6,879
Brother PR1055X	14 × 8 in	Multi-needle	—
Janome Memory Craft 550E	14 × 8 in	Embroidery only	$2,899–$3,499
Brother PR1050X	14 × 8 in	Multi-needle	—
Brother PR1000e	14 × 8 in	Multi-needle	—
Baby Lock Venture	14 × 8 in	Multi-needle	—
Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 50	14 × 8 in	Sewing and embroidery	—
Brother PR1060W	14 × 8 in	Multi-needle	$24,200–$25,700
Bernina B 700 E	15.7 × 8.3 in	Embroidery only	$2,999
Melco BRAVO	12.7 × 10.5 in	Multi-needle	$8,995–$10,887
Brother Stellaire XE1	9.5 × 14 in	Embroidery only	—
Brother Stellaire XJ1	9.5 × 14 in	Sewing and embroidery	—
Brother Dream Machine 2 XV8550D	9.5 × 14 in	Sewing and embroidery	—
Baby Lock Altair 2	9.5 × 14 in	Sewing and embroidery	$10,284–$10,999
Baby Lock Meridian 2	9.5 × 14 in	Embroidery only	$7,947–$8,499
Brother Stellaire XE2	9.5 × 14 in	Embroidery only	$8,449–$8,500
Bernina B 880 PLUS	15.7 × 10 in	Sewing and embroidery	—
Brother Luminaire XP3	10.7 × 16.1 in	Sewing and embroidery	$20,999
Pfaff creative 4.5	14 × 13.8 in	Sewing and embroidery	$6,989
Pfaff Creative Sensation Pro	14 × 13.8 in	Sewing and embroidery	—
Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby 90	14 × 13.8 in	Sewing and embroidery	$16,999
Pfaff creative icon 2	14 × 13.8 in	Sewing and embroidery	$22,999
Melco EMT16X	16.1 × 15.5 in	Multi-needle	—
Ricoma MT-1501	19.7 × 14 in	Multi-needle	$9,569–$11,969
Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 2	17.7 × 17.7 in	Sewing and embroidery	$17,999
Husqvarna Viking Designer EPIC 3	18.1 × 17.7 in	Sewing and embroidery	$23,999–$25,999

Frequently asked questions

What is an 8x8 embroidery hoop used for?

Mostly quilt blocks, square designs, pillowcases and wall hangings. Pfaff's own page calls its 200 × 200 mm hoop a good size for 8 in quilt blocks.

Is 8x8 the same as 200 × 200 mm?

Makers quote it as 200 × 200 mm. Eight inches is 203.2 mm, so the metric figure is a slightly smaller, rounded stitch area. Use the millimeter size when you check a design.

Will an 8x8 hoop fit my machine?

Only if the machine's maximum embroidery area is at least 200 × 200 mm. A 5 × 7 in or 6 × 10 in machine cannot use it. Check the hoop's compatibility list, such as Baby Lock's list for the EF91.

Is there a magnetic 8x8 hoop?

Husqvarna Viking sells a 200 × 200 mm quilter's metal hoop that uses eight magnets instead of an inner ring. It is listed for the Designer Epic range and the Designer Ruby 90. For third-party magnetic hoops, check that the model is listed for your machine.