Why is my 4x4 embroidery design too big for my hoop?

A 4x4 hoop does not stitch a full 4 by 4 inches. Its embroidery area is 100 by 100 millimeters, which is about 3.94 inches each way.

If a design is even slightly larger than that area, the machine will refuse it or not show it at all. This is the most common reason a design labeled 4x4 won't load.

Things to check:

1.      You copied the right size. If the download has several sizes, make sure you picked the smallest one.

2.      The design wasn't resized. Enlarging it even a little can push it past the limit.

3.      The design wasn't rotated. A design that fits upright may not fit when turned.

4.      Your machine's limit. The largest area your machine can stitch is set by the machine, not the hoop. A bigger hoop does not raise it.

The same applies to other hoops. A 5x7 hoop has an embroidery area of 130 by 180 millimeters, so a design must be a little under 5 by 7 inches to fit.