This should make for some great discussion and I hope everyone will chime in with their recommendations in the comments section below!
I just hold my projects in my hands, use an embroidery hoop for my cross-stitch projects, but sometimes that gets to feeling a little awkward. What would you recommend to use as a holder? A floor model or lap model for instance? And if so, which one(s)? There are just too many choices for me to decide without trying them first which of course I cannot afford to do. So if you would recommend the ones you like the best to me that would be so very helpful!
I love this question, thank you Valerie for asking it!
I have a lap stand that I sometimes use – I’m not sure if they still make it, its called a Sit’N’Stitch – it works great for me. It’s small and portable and I’m limited on space. I also don’t use it all the time, so it’s great to stash it away when I’m not using it. I poked around the web and cannot find the stand that I have anymore, they were hand made, so perhaps they have retired. (If anyone knows, please let us know the correct URL.)
The EZ Stitch Lap Stands
You clamp your frame or hoop into the stand and you put the base under your leg(s) and stitch away on your project. You can stitch using both hands or just one, whatever you’re more comfortable with. I do like to stitch with both hands and I find that stitching that way doesn’t aggravate my carpal tunnel nearly as much and I can stitch for a longer period of time.
I know some of our readers use floor stands also, so hopefully we’ll hear some good opinions and buying advice on those types here in the comment section!
Happy Stitching!
I would love to have a stitching stand. I’ve thought about it for ages. I have arthritis in my hands, and I’ve had wrist surgery, so a small 6″ hoop is usually all I can manage to hold. I would love to be able to take the weight off and have someone or something else hold my stitching for me!
Gail, I really recommend it. I know it sounds silly since I’m only 32 but I have arthritis in my hands as well and I have carpal tunnel (which surprisingly I got when I worked in an assembly plant and not from working on the computer all the time as one would expect) so when my wrist or hands are feeling particularly bad I take full advantage of having the stand. Being able to stitch two handed is helpful too!
Sometimes if I’m working on a large project I’ll just use my big q-snaps and they do not fit in my stand holder – so I just lean them against something, the table, the chair arm, my leg, and I can still stitch two handed and not have to hold onto anything very tightly.
Hi Loretta! I’m only 36, and have had the arthritis on and off for 8 years now. I am going to put a stitching stand on my list of things to buy. I’ll look at it as an investment both for business productivity, and for my health! Thanks for prompting me to look at this option again! Have a great week!
I never heard of Q-Snaps before – years ago used a needlepoint scroll frame but it’s MIA now, haha. Will have to investigate the Q-Snap deal. Any suggestions? thanks!
No, I’ve been stitching with the old fashions ‘hoop’ for too many years. I work in a cross stitch shop and we sell the stands and the Q-snaps, but my boss hasn’t been able to convert me 🙂
I have one which I made myself!. You simply need some lengths of wood, muts and bolts and a drill to make some holes at various heights and one in each side of your scroll frame. Cost me hardly anything and does the job fine! I have varnished mine but no need to bother if you don’t want to
I love the idea of making your own! That’s fantastic 🙂
Never even thought about using a stitching stand…honestly, never knew they existed! Good to know.
I have a floor stand identical to the Stitchers Wonder Scroll stand. I also have a lap stand that you sit on a paddle-looking thing. I don’t use either of them. I often stitch while in a recliner to elevate my mad leg. I found neither of those stands useful and they both sit in a closet now. *sigh*
I did come across this stand http://www.artisandesign.com/html/ergo_for_recliners.html that I found interesting. Honestly, I’m quite content with my hoops and qsnaps in hand.
Thanks, Joni – this looks very cool, would probably work for couch-sitting too unless I can fight my husband for his recliner, ha!
I normally use a lap atand but I left my stitching at the bus stop & when I went back to get it it was gone. I’m still hunting for it but. I could make another but haven’t had time yet. I can manage without but. BH.
Oh to lose your stitching..were you very far along in the stitching?
Oh yea the question….I dont use a stand I just hold the fabric in a hoop….
After wanting a floor stand for many years but always telling myself I didn’t have the room, I finally brought one from a Herreshners catalog. I really liked it but didn’t like the fact that I was stuck with the scroll frame that came with it. I even started entertaining the idea of making my own until I saw a floor stand in a catalog for The Stitchery. I noticed this one expands where the other one didn’t and accepts all kinds from hoops to stretcher bars to scroll frames. Haven’t got it yet so I can’t report on how good it is but I’m determined to make it work!!! I realized that in order for me to get serious about submitting my work for contests, I had to get serious about how I work on my projects. Had the good fortune to win third place last year at my local county fair so I’m going to submit another project this year!!!
Thank you Chrissie, I am going to check out the adjustable one you are describing too if not too expensive at The Stitchery. Congratulations on your win too!
I have tried both a floor stand and a lap stand, it turns out I really like to be able to hold my stitching in my hands. I felt restricted instead of freed by using the stands, so I have gotten rid of both of them.
I still haven’t tried Q-snaps, I think that might be a good middle ground for me as well. I stopped using embroidery hoops years ago, since I was told that they can damage linen.
I have a stitching stand but don’t use it. For small projects, I just hold the fabric in my hands. For larger projects, I prefer to use the QSnap frame. I just love them!
Hi Loretta! Wow, thank you for posting my question and for the one last week as well! This is going to be so helpful! I have seen the types you sit on but thought they might be uncomfortable so good to know you like yours! I’ve seen them for sale at Herschnners.com and Keepsake Needleworks in both their catalog and websites. And maybe from The Stitchery catalog – at any rate, have seen them around but not handmade like yours. I do generally sit on the couch while needleworking so hope it will be as comfortable….thanks so much and I’ll wait to see possible other responses but this one will be my first choice now! Thanks all for your wonderful suggestions and sharing your own experiences with regards to these tools.
I bought a stand from the Cozy Cottage last year and absolutely would be lost without it. I have stitched for about 25 years, and use q-snaps and recently scroll frames. I used to work with my work just in hand, but have developed carpal tunnel and can no longer hold my work. I did buy most of the things that go with the stand, and especially love the lighted magnifier. They sell beautiful scroll rods, and an adapter for q-snaps.
Since I bought this stand, I have now had the courage to begin a HUGE project for my daughter; a Heaven and Earth design called Aquarius. It’s about 26 in. wide, so there’s no way I could do this without my stand.
As a stitcher of many year, I highly recommend to any stitcher trying either a floor or lap stand – your wrists will thank you for it down the road.
Thanks for reading this, and good luck to everyone.
Annmarie