Merry Day #6....

 ~ Welcome to my ~

Merry Day #6!

In the upcoming week...

I am going to review several needlework stands. I am the proud of owner of several different styles and all different brands of needlework stands. So I thought it would be helpful for those of you that are interested in knowing more about them and perhaps purchasing one (or two, or three, or four...) with your Santa bucks I'm sure you'll soon find in your stocking 😉

So without further ado...

here is day 1 of the grand parade of needlework stands.

*PLEASE NOTE* all of these stands that I will be sharing were purchased by me for the sole purpose of my own personal use in my needlework hobby. No company or entity,  has given me anything (ever) for purpose of giving my "review".  It is important to me that I give a review of whatever I am using that is honest, sincere and purchased by me for said use, with no smoke and mirrors and incentive to say nice things because they were given to me.

Also....

these are *my opinions* I have a right to them, I am not here to argue them, you may take them or leave them. If you don't like anything I do, say or share, please scroll on by and do not return. I do not have time in life for negative nellies and people wishing to pick an argument. 

~ Thank you for understanding ~

(sad I have to utter such nonsense, but....I have come to learn in the last couple of years that there are people out there intent on bringing down - I only wish to build up.) 

With that out of the way, let us proceed.

Day #1 ~ Needlework Stand Review ~ 

THE FANNY (SEAT) STAND  by Hardwicke Manor

This is what the base looks like: 

 

 - This stand is not made for use on a table top (the base is not heavy enough) -

The stand is to be used by placing it under your "seat". I use mine in two different ways:

MY PERFERRED PLACEMENT:   

I place it between my legs with it seated under either the right or left thigh (right behind the bend in my knee) until it is flush against the "seat" that you are sitting in as shown in the photos: 

PLACEMENT #2: 

Or you may use it in what I like to call "side saddle" and place it under the outside of either your right or left thigh, right behind the bend in the knee, until it is flush against the "seat" your are sitting in: 

Now then, you get your hoop "head" or "hoop on a stick" and...

stick in in the hole of the base...

Turn the "screw" on the base to adjust the height of the hoop that is perfect for you. The screw is tightened at any height along the hoop stick (or neck). 

This is what it looks like when you are ready to stitch:

The hoop is easily lifted up for easy ending of threads (see the butterfly screw in the neck of the hoop below) AND easily adjusted to any angle for your preferred stitching position: 

This allows for two handed stitching. I prefer my left hand on top:

and my right hand underneath:

You may also purchase other "hoops on a stick" in other sizes (both smaller and larger):

Which allows for quick changes if you tire of one project in a stitching session 

OR if you wish to have multiple projects on the go

 OR if you have small projects and very large projects and just want a smaller or larger stitching area visible:

I have 3 different sizes of hoops on a stick, 6 inch, 8.5 in and 12 inch.

 All of my hoop widths are 7/8 inch. 

Why 7/8 inch? because it is wider and I feel allows a better "grip" on my fabric and I personally feel it makes less stress on the weave of my fabric thereby not making such severe hoop marks. (personal opinion there)

 I wrap all of my hoops (on the inside hoop) with cotton twill tape. 

why? 

because twill tape allows a better grip on the stitching fabric AND it lessens hoop marks. I know some people also wrap the top hoop - I don't because I didn't feel like it made a difference as far as hoop marks go and it made it really thick and hard to close the screw on the hoop (just another personal opinion)

Wrapping your hoop + a wider (thicker) hoop = easy to get out hoop marks. 

My preferred hoop sizes are:

 the 6 inch and the 8.5 inch hoops on a stick. For me, I feel the 12 inch hoop is too big for the seat stand - it is gangly, awkward and frankly uncomfortable to stitch on.

Here is a comparison of my two favorite sizes: 6 inch (blue fabric) 8.5 inch (neutral fabric):

When I have two hoops going at once, I place the one not in use on a wall hook:

(yes I need to clean up and organize my magnetic board!)

While the other stays loaded on the stand and sits on the floor beside my stitching chair:

The designs in my hoops: 

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" by Shannon Christie Designs 

and 

"The Cookie Exchange" by Hands On Design "

I do not take my projects off the hoops while they are waiting to be stitched. I leave them loaded until they are finished - I have never had an issue with this practice - I just want to come in sit down and stitch, not have to fool around loading up projects.

PROS OF THE FANNY (SEAT) STAND:

1.) light weight

2.) easily transportable - the neck screws out of the base and the hoop on a stick folds flat. So if travelling - very compact

3.) easily adapted to your stitching preferences - up and down height + angle of stitching

4.) easy to have multiple projects on the go - if you so wish by the purchase of multiple hoops on a stick

5.) different sizes of hoops on a stick available for purchase means more stitching options to suit individual needs

6.) not very cost prohibitive - you will not sink a lot of money into this system

CONS OF THE FANNY (SEAT) STAND:

1.) can use it only as a seat stand, cannot use it any other way (for instance: on a table top)

2.) the brass screws on the hoops WILL strip over time, so the purchase of extra screws is a necessity over time

3.) hoop marks - no matter what you do there WILL be hoop marks, you can lessen their depth and make them easier to get out by wrapping your hoop, but there will be hoop marks - that does not bother me - but it may bother some. 

MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

I find this stand one of my favorites - especially for travelling and taking to stitching events. I also like to use it for smaller projects. I like it because I can stitch with my feet up or down. I love it because it is light weight and I can use it with a blanket on my legs if I need to. I do not use it for large projects. I've used this stand now for 3 years and I really could not live without it. 

*Seriously - this stand is in my top 3 personal favorites * 

(at the end of these parade of stands I will rank my stands according to my preference)

WHY A STAND?:

For insight in case you don't have a stand and are wondering why I use one, or you are thinking about using one, I thought I'd share why I use a stand: I cannot stitch in hand, because I finish/craft/stitch every day making repetitive motions in my fingers, wrists, elbows and shoulders. 16 years ago I had severe elbow pain. I went to my doctor and he told me my stitching had to stop in order to not have pain in my hands/arms/shoulders. I had a repetitive motion inflammatory process going on, and he said the only way to fix it was to go to physical therapy and discontinue stitching.  At that time I stitched one handed using a q-snap - I can stitch in hand, but I never have preferred that technique in stitching.  Stitching is my hobby and in many ways - my way of life. I was not going to stop stitching. So I had to find a way to make stitching better for me. Using a stand either floor, lap or table top was the answer for me. It may not be for you.

I am going to be blunt again, so hold on to your socks....

taking a trip around blogs, social media, stitching online groups, YouTube video blogs about stitching (what some term "flosstube"), you will find that like any hobby their are "purists" and what some would term the "stitching police". I practice several hobbies, as you all know, and these sort of people exist in every hobby. They proceed telling people, in a very high handed way, things like: you don't need anything except a needle and thread - I stitch in hand and that is the best way, you don't need all those gadgets -  I am sure you have seen such comments on threads. Then there is what I like to term the "cool" factor...its "cool" to stitch in hand, all the most respected, popular stitchers - stitch in hand. (They also only use linen and stitch on 40 count and higher linens of the finest brands with silk alone.)

Here is what I think: 

I've never been a popular girl.

I am a free thinker. I value others real opinions and their own personal real life experiences, because I can always in some way find out something that may work better for me. I want to do my hobby in a way that I can do it every day without pain. I cannot stitch in hand. I am physically limited and cannot do it - per my medical doctor - in hand. That does not make me less of a stitcher, or one that isn't doing it the "correct" way or someone just wanting to "spend a lot of money" on paraphernalia that is unnecessary.

(YES, YES look around in group forums and you'll inevitably see a thread about this very subject and there will be a comment that people are blowing money buying "all the gadgets".)

PHOOEY! 

Be a trendsetter and do what you want. March to the beat of your own drum in your own parade, and don't give a hoot what others think. 

Stitch on aida, or evenweave,  or linen of  the finest quality, in whatever count, color and style that you desire!

Stitch in hand, or stitch using a hoop, q-snap, stand or frame! Stitch standing or sitting or standing on your head, heck you can even stitch in bed! Stitch on a train, in the toilet, in your car, in the market, stitch inside or outside, while you are swimming, on the beach, in the air - you can stitch ANYWHERE! 

Don't use any gadgets, or use every single gadget ever put on the market! It is YOUR hobby! Do it like you want, just don't be discouraged to NOT do it!

DO WHAT EVER MAKES YOU HAPPY!

This is a hobby, and I have loved this hobby and have practiced it every day (I have never taken a "break" or went away to come back to stitching) for 40 years. 40 years of stitching - in my mind means, I have enough experience to have a credible opinion on helping others find ways that may help them to stitch more efficiently and in a way that works for them if they have questions or need help. That's all I want to do - help bring others to this craft, to this hobby, so that they may find the joy that I have found. No one, in any hobby should be made to feel doubt about their abilities, or their preferences. You can attain your stitching nirvana and STITCH HAPPY with whatever and however you choose. Stitching makes me who I am. I can assure you that I am going to doggone do whatever I can to make sure that I can do it every day until my last day here. It is my hope that in some small way, I inspire and empower others to embrace and love stitching as much as I do. That is my singular goal, and has been for years and years. To give content (and good solid content) freely on stitching, to inspire others. May it be so!

Until tomorrow....

Merry Day #6!

Merry Christmas!

All my love, 

Vonna xxxx