Which Floor Stand Is the Best?

UPDATTED: July 24, 2018
Buying a floor stand is probably the most expensive needlepoint equipment you’ll make. Because of that, you want to get it right.

I’ve had several floor stands in my stitching life, including one cobbled together by my dad and one that stopped production as soon as I bought it. I thought long and hard about my needs and even “test drove” some stands before I bought My K’s Stainless Steel Stand.

I made many mistakes and spent money I did not need to before I found my K’s stand. Because this is a big purchase the time you spend thinking about your needs and evaluating stands is time well spent.

The thought process is very important because different stands work in different circumstances. Begin by thinking about where you stitch. Do you like to stitch in a recliner? Then you can’t use a stand with a center pole. Do you stitch in a chair with wide or thick arms? Pick a stand that sits on something, not one that needs to clamp. Your specific places to stitch will remove some stands from consideration.

The second step is to consider when you stitch. Most stands have different options and can use different accessories. Knowing when you stitch will help you decide which of these are important. If you travel to classes or Seminars and want to take your stand, you’ll want one that is easy to assemble and take apart. If you go by plane, you’ll want it to be lightweight. If you stitch at night, you may want a stand that has places to clip on a light.

Finally consider what you stitch. If you use stretcher bars that are thinner or thicker than standard bars, be sure the clamp can fit them. If they don’t it may be an easy fix (get longer or shorter screws). If you use scroll bars, be sure the stand can use them. If you stitch on large pieces, can the stand support the frame?

Once you have considered these things, you’ll have a short list of possible stands. Now it’s time to test drive the stands. Ask your friends if they have any of these stands. Find out how they like them. Ask to borrow the stands for a day or two to try them out.

If you can test at home, that’s fantastic because you will know if it works where and when you stitch. But that is not always possible. If you can test at your friend’s house or at the local shop, bring a small project that is mounted the way you prefer to work, maybe even a UFO. Have a stand test drive day at a Guild meeting. It’s important that you are comfortable with the stand and testing is the only way to do this.

Once you have done your research, you’ll know that you are making an investment you’ll use for years.