For the most part the best option is to hoop you fabric. By hooping your fabric you are ensuring that the fabric is secure and stable for your various embroidery projects. Of course there are exceptions to this piece of advice, a few fabrics that are better suited for not being hooped includes:

• Velvet
• Satin Faced Silk
• Thick Piled Terrycloth
• Corduroy
• Velour
• Expensive Silks
• Fine Linens

It is a good idea to test a fabric for hoop-ability by testing a small corner of delicate fabrics before you hoop your project.