Many stitchers have their favorite ways to stitch. I still haven’t figured out which way of stitching I like best. I do like stitching in hand but my work gets so wrinkled. It’s easy to flip it and see the back side or fix something that needs to be fixed. I want to find a way to stitch and love it.
So far, I haven’t. I think the first thing I tried was the Q-Snap. It’s ok. One of the problems I have with that is that I seem to travel around a lot when stitching. I often do the outline of the whole border before doing anything else. I think I’d like the Q-Snap method better if I worked on one space, did all the stitching there, then moved to the next space.
Next, I ordered a Rolaframe lap stand. I didn’t know enough about what I was doing and should have waited. I had just started stitching. I didn’t realize that the Rolaframes are limited in the size they can handle by that bar across the back. A second (or third or more) back boards can be ordered but those are expensive.
Next I ordered a 28″ Rolaframe floor stand.
The “frames” for the Rolaflrame come right out so I can have several frames and not have to take the linen in and out of the frame.
Next, I ordered a K’s Creations Original lap stand that will accommodate a piece of linen that’s 13 – 22″.
Next, I ordered a K’s Creations Large lap frame that will accommodate a piece of linen that’s 22″ – 36″.
With the K’s Creations stands, there are canvas leaders and the linen is pinned or basted to the canvas.
Then, I ordered the Lowery frame and that’s the one I like the best. It will hold a Q-snap and it will hold the Rolaframe frames, as well as most any frame/scroll bars.
I think if I would sit down and stitch and not have to keep getting up and down and stop and do other things, I could learn to like one or more of these stitching frames. It’s so easy when stitching in hand to pick it up and put it down 10 times an hour.
I’m done buying frames! Really, all of these were purchased pretty much when I first started stitching. The Lowery was the last one I bought and that was way last year – August, 2021.
I’m sure they’re all great frames . . I just need to get used to using them.
Which frame(s)? do you love using? Any tips for me other than just do it?
Shelley says
https://www.vpotoky.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=140
Look at this one
MRH says
I have used the E-Z stitch scroll frame for many years. I do tend to work in one area at a time though. I do a lot of back and forth flipping of the frame as i switch between colors and don’t have any idea how one would use a lap frame or stand and still do that.
i generally work pieces that are tall rectangles. i usually use the 6″ sides and scroll as needed. When i am stitching i hold the frame tall-ways so am basically working the piece while holding it sideways. Then i can rest the bottom on my torso and only have to hold the top corner with my left hand.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Those frames are very similar to the Rolaframes that I use with the Lowery stand. That’s the best method I’ve for myself.
Peggy K says
Looking forward to the comments on this. I have tried them all (almost) q-snaps, traditional embroidery hoops, stretcher bars, roller bars sit on frames, holders that go under the chair and I am currently using nothing-just roll up the fabric on either end and secure with a wonder clip and then stitch in hand.. seems to bother my arms/hands less.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I’m kinda with you right now. Stitching in hand is seeming easier and not requiring so much “stuff”.
Val says
I have the Lowery stand that I am happy with but it’s tiring to flip my work over. I saw the frame set that Noelle Parkman had where teframsat on arms and you could just pick it up and flip it over. I decided I could build one myself and my 2nd Prototype is really good. I will email youa poto Judy if you are interested. The hardest bitwas cutting the angle on thpiee of wood that clips into the head of the Lowery.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
It’s great. Thanks. I’m hoping Vince makes one for me soon.
Tracy says
–The piece I am working on now is very large, not a full coverage, but a lot of motifs and geometric patterns. It is about 360 stitches across and 300 up/down. I wanted to start it with a scroll frame/Lowery combo, so I could get the entire bottom border finished and use it as a marker for stitching the rest of the piece. I am about a third of the way through the lower section, and I really don’t like flipping the frame so much. I am going to switch over soon to a 10″ hoop and use the Lowery to hold it. I am a two handed stitcher, one on the top and one on the bottom. For me, holding the work in one hand (on a scroll, hooped or in hand) makes for stiffness, wrist pain, and a bit of tennis elbow. I’m interested in seeing Val’s version too 🙂
Shelley says
I. Interested in looking at the frame your husband built as well
Shauna Trueblood says
I tend to use q-snaps because I do more smaller projects. I do stitch in hand some but I find my left hand getting sore and stiff from holding the fabric. I got a couple of scroll frames from Amazon that are sort of like a q-snap in that you use plastic clamps to hold the fabric and I like them, but that are limited in the sizes they have. For stands I bought one off of Amazon and HATED it because it never stayed tight and I was constantly having to adjust it. Then I got a Lowery and I love it. I also have a K’s Creation Z lap stand that I use on a table. It works well and I like it for smaller projects. Overall I like the Lowery best because I can just swing the project out of the way when I want to get up and move. My only issue with it is I still struggle where to keep my chrome book (which I use for PK), but that has more to do with the whole layout of my stitching spot, which is not perfect, but I keep making adjustments.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I may be wrong but I think there’s an attachment you can get for the Lowery that holds the tablet.
Nope . . can’t find one but I thought I had seen one at one time.
Shauna Trueblood says
You can get something that works for a tablet like an iPad but I think my chrome book is too large for it. I have seen a rolling laptop desk/table but I’m not sure it would hold up against my crazy dogs. I have been considering changing the end table next to my chair to a table that is taller or even a rolling cart of some type, but I’ve not found one that I really like yet.