Using hoops/frames for larger projects?

[nintandrew]

I use a scroll frame with a floor stand attatched to it, the dowels are a little loose and it's new, but it wouldn't be hard to make new ones, and it's not terrible loose so I like it. Here's a picture of it:

Spoiler

(please excuse the socks)

Also, since it is all wood and bolts, you could actually make one for yourself at any custom size, whhich would be cool.
Hope it helps!

[jelibe]

PooWeee!!! Stinky Socks!! LOL!!

You can really see how big you epic pokemon stitch is going to be in this pic!! WOW!!
Can you still sit comfortably on a sofa and stitch on this??

[nintandrew]

Actually, I sit on my office chair and do it with the pattern on the computer since my printer doesn't work, but I have brought it out to my couch to see how it feels, and you just need to sit forward a little and it would be fine.
Back to stitching for me!

[DMLC]

I use a lap/table stand now --
I hurt my wrist stitching too much with a hoop-- the motion of turning the wrist back and forth!! I was unable to stitch for 3 years --finally fixed it when I sprained it pretty bad in the spring-- there is more to the story but won't bore you!!

I love my lap stand. My hands are totally free-- I can stitch with 2 hands now without twisting it. I can stitch in any direction I want too without removing a hoop-- No creases made from hoop anymore!! I can stitch faster with the stand. Next I want a floor stand-- But plan on getting hubby to make me one!!
My stand------

I would recommend hoops -- they are light not bulky to hold onto!! But if your going to stitch for a very long time--or many years to come-- I would recommend getting a stand!!

[noonstar]

Something I've always wondered with a stand, basically it's how you use one . I've got no experience with anything other than hoops so I've always wondered how you can sew without turning the fabric constantly to see the back. To be honest a frame would probably be preferable to a hoop for the project I'm just beginning but I don't aprticularly want to get something I cant use.

[nintandrew]

With the stand for me, I need to flip it back and forth from front to back for the epic pokemon pattern, but if the back isn't too messy/ you don't care how the back looks, you could stitch without having to flip it all the time, just flip it every now and then to make sure that you don't have a huge knot back there that you didn't feel when you pulled the string through. Also, once you get into a "groove" with stitching and flipping with the stand/frame, you can get a lot done, especially if the stitches are in a long horizontal row.
Hopethat makes sense/helps.

[riotpatch]

Those stands and such always look like torture devices to me. =P
I've always used just a cheap, regular hoop.
I was looking at scrolls the other day but do they actually make that much of a difference compared to the hoop?
Does the fabric stay more taut, etc.?

[DMLC]

I have no problems with it!! I use a sewing machine(long stitches) to attach the fabric-- it stays tight for me!!
I can flip mine over to see the back.....and flip back over. I like it because I can stitch with 2 hands-- which is so much faster.
I use to stitch with a hoop..... but no longer can because It caused a repetitive stress injury and I was unable to stitch for 3 years until it healed.
I really don't need that to happen again!!!!!

This only took me 4 days to stitch -- sorry for the crappy photo -- It is one of the reasons I will never use a hoop again!!

[K-Fed]

That's quick! So, with a frame, do you stitch with one hand at the front, and one at the back?
I still haven't bought one yet
At the cross-stitch shop they take forever to serve me because I look too young to be into it.
It's like "HELLO disposable income right here!!!"

[DMLC]

Yes..I stitch with my weaker left hand on the front and my stronger hand in the back to control the needle going up.
Well that is mean of them!! You should be more bold and tell them I want my stand!!!!
I ordered mine via the internet because there is no shops that sold them here.
I'm getting someone (Hubby) to make my floor stand-- Just going to make a bigger version on the one I have!