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Needlepoint Floor Stands

Needlepoint floor stands are such a help to stitching. They hold your work securely, they free both hands to work, and they can display the needlepoint beautifully when you aren’t working.

But, all too often, your first stand isn’t right for you and you end up hating it. Using the wrong stand (in other words on which doesn’t suit your circumstances) has none of the advantages and, in fact, may make it harder to stitch.

So consider each of these questions before buying needlepoint floor stands.

Where Do You Stitch?

This is the most important factor in buying a stand as the type of seating you prefer limits the kind of stands you can buy.

Do you stitch in a recliner? The stand can’t have a center support (the footrest will hit it) and needs either be wider than the footrest or sit at the side of the chair.

Do you stitch on a sofa? A side or front stand will work.

Do you stitch in bed or on a chaise? Then you have to use a side stand.

Do you stitch st a table? Then a table stand is your best choice, but in floor stands you need to use a side stand.

What Do You Stitch?

It may seem like a small thing, but if you stitch lots of small or large projects, be sure the stand will work with it. The frame should be strong enough to hold a large piece steady while you stitch. But the head shouldn’t be so large it interferes with stitching small projects.

What Kind of Frame Do You Use?

Scroll bars, stretcher bars, evertites, mini-stretcher bars, Q Snaps -- all these types of frames work for needlepoint, but may not work in all types of needlepoint floor stands.

If you use a scroll frame, does the stand have a scroll frame attachment. Do you need to use their scroll frame.

If you use bars that are thicker (Evertites) or thinner (minis) than normal, will it hold them? If not, can it be changed easily and inexpensively?

If you use frames that aren’t wood (QSnaps) does the head grip too tightly so the frame might break?

The Indefinables

At this point, the long list of possibilities should be down to only a few likely candidates.

Now it’s time to do a test drive. Do you have a friend with this stand? Ask if you can borrow it. Sit in your preferred chair with a typical project and stitch for awhile.

Can you get to the needlepoint easily? Can you flip to over to the back with no problems? Will it hold the canvas at an angle you like? Can you tighten and adjust things easily?

If you don’t have a friend with the stand, the next best thing is to find a shop with it on display. Bring your needlepoint and ask if you can try it.

If you can’t try a stand, ask others about the one of interest and find out why people bought it or didn’t buy it.

I’ve bought plenty of needlepoint floor stands which didn’t work for me, tried even more and finally settled on one. The time I took thinking about what I needed made this so much easier.

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