I cut the foam core board into thin strips and poked a hole near the top so I could use a pipe cleaner to tie it to the basket with a couple of twists. I did the at the front and back of the of the basket. I have 4 rows in each basket to stand the baggies with the floss. So each basket holds about 100 different colors of floss. I did not want the floss to fall out should the basket tip over so I cut the foam core board to place over the top again anchoring with pipe cleaner hinges at the back of the basket. I also wanted to have a latch at the front, so again I used the pipe cleaner. With the lids they stack nicely also. 
What would life in the stitching world be without the tools that make needlework easier, more comfortable, and more efficient?
One tool that dedicated stitchers eventually invest in is the needlework stand – a device that holds a frame or a hoop so that you don’t have to! It is essentially a third hand (or pair of hands) that leaves your own two hands free to stitch. Or, in today’s terms, you could think of a needlework stand as a “third party app” that really does make things work better!
Wrist, arm, neck and back strain; finger and hand cramps; strange sitting positions to balance large frames; awkward stitching when you need to use both hands – all of these are things of the past, when you have a needlework stand!
If you haven’t reached the point of using a stand, but if stitching has become a major part of your creative life, chances are, you’ll eventually consider one. Or perhaps you have a stand you’re not thoroughly satisfied with?
Today, let’s navigate through the world of needlework stands together! We’ll talk about different types of devices to hold needlework, we’ll discuss the benefits of a floor stand, we’ll chat about what to look for in a good needlework stand, and we’ll explore some of the popular floor stands on the market today.
When it comes to stands that hold your embroidery hoop or frame for you, there are essentially five types that can do the trick:
There are floor stands, which stand independently on the floor.
There are lap and table top stands, which rest either on your lap or on a table top in front of you.
There are clamp-on stands, that clamp onto a table top.
There are sit-on stands, that can serve as a table-top stand as well.
And there are trestles, which are the “big guns” of large needlework frame supports.
Today, we’re looking at the Floor Stand, specifically. We can look at other options down the road, but because the floor stand is usually a fairly hefty investment that requires a bit of pondering, it makes sense to focus on it first.
Benefits of The Floor Stand
The benefit of a floor stand is that it is independent of you and it is independent of any furniture around you. You can pretty much set up a floor stand anywhere it will fit, and the only thing you need to bring to it is a chair and your stitching stuff.
A floor stand rests in front or to the side of you and holds your needlework frame or hoop up in front of you while you stitch.
What to Look for in a Floor Stand
There are many manufacturers of floor stands out there! And there are many good ones on the market. When it comes to choosing one, you want to look for the following:
1. Extension & adjustability: Does it offer enough extension and can it be adjusted in various ways so that it reaches you comfortably in your favorite spot for sitting? If you sit, for example, in a recliner, some floor stands won’t work for you. Take into consideration, too, whether or not you want the stand in front of you or to the side, with the work extending over your lap.
2. Balance: Is the floor stand engineered to hold large frames and even attachable accessories (like magnifiers or lights, chart holders, tool trays) without becoming top heavy and toppling?
3. Parts & Construction: Is it made with quality parts that are easy to tighten and adjust when need be? Do all the parts fit together and move as they should, without rubbing or sticking?
Popular Brands of Floor Stands
|
