Need input on getting a stand for crossStitching
I've finally put in enough hours on this hobby that I won't feel guilty about dropping some money on a stand.

However, I don't know which of the many options to choose.

I'm looking at the EZ Stitch Lap Stand right now, but the one listed on this site only seems to be as wide as 12". One of my upcoming BAP projects will be 19" wide (fabric will be 25"). Are there modifications available for the Lap Stand?

(I live in Africa so whichever stand I buy will have to be schlepped across the ocean--hence my interest in the Lap Stand)

Also, what is a No Baste system?? I'm sewing--not roasting a turkey. LOL (tiny November humor....)

Thank you for your help. I'm truly not as amateurish as these questions might make me out to be. I've just always used a hoop. I'm ready to join the Big Girls now.
Posted by: laiah73 on 11/21/14
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Welcome to our site. We just love hearing from new people that loves this hobby as much as we do.

I had a lap stand and it had the turn knobs on each end which I hated b'c it kept coming loose. It would not stay tightened at all. I got so aggravated that I went back to my hoop. Then I bought a scroll and that was just too bulky.

Everyone is different and everyone finds their own niche, so maybe the other ladies can give you some of their insight. I have bought about 4 different kinds and hated them all and keep the hoop.

Good luck and happy stitching.
by: jclifford on 11/21/14
Personally, I only use a scroll frame on larger projects. The only frame that I've found non-irritating is by American Dream. It is beautifully engineered...uses metal inside the knobs, so they tighten and do not loosen. All surfaces are smooth to the touch and finished like furniture. There are adapter bars for several widths...I have 3, the widest being 30". They use rods with narrow Velcro strips on the scrollbars and you apply the opposite Velcro to the fabric.....holds very tight, no loosening till you let it go. Before you buy, do yourself a favor and visit their website. They explain the system, all their options. You don't need all the available options for all the systems, but they explain it all beautifully. I was totally confused until I went to the website.

Then with a list of what I wanted I went shopping for the cheapest I could find. I got the lap stand for half the price on the website. I used Amazon, Overstock.com, eBay, EXS, ands anywhere else that carried the brand and had sales. You have to be aggressive to save a buck in this world.

These other great ladies will tell you their preferences and give you their rules...this is just one option, but do visit the American Dream website at www.adp-USA.com. Their products do deliver the goods.
by: shorterhorse on 11/21/14
LOL on the turkey! American Dream used to use heavy twill on the stretcher bars. They developed the velcro system &people like it. I don't mind basting the fabric onto the bars. My set is old & has the tape. At least, I don't have to keep buying new Velcro for the fabric.

You can still buy the old style on their website.

Hint: keep the side bars short. 8"-10" max. You lose tension on the fabric otherwise. I even have 6" for small projects.
by: jlhewes on 11/21/14
I treated myself to "Tomorrow's Treasures Lap Stand and Frame" from The Stitchery, Item #T39-999. It is solid oak and can straddle your lap or sit on a table. It features 360 degree scroll frame rotation for comfortable access to both sides of your project. It assembles in minutes without tools and includes two each: side support pillars, 12" adjustable extender bars, 20" scroll rods with No Basting System plus 10 knobs and one 108" roll of No Basting Tape to eliminate time-consuming basting. There are other scroll rods on the same page so I assume the other sizes would fit. My recent projects have not filled the 20" scroll rod, which hasn't seemed to make a difference. The price is $84.99 and I feel it was well worth that. My old frame had scroll rods that were split and the fabric had to be put in the middle of them. It kept coming loose and finally I used rubber bands to hold the rods tight enough to hold the fabric. Even that didn't work well. I love the No Basting Tape, which is velcro on one side and sticky tape on the other. The tape holds tight to the scroll rod and I haven't had to change it yet after several projects. The tape that goes on the ends of the fabric holds it very tight to the scroll rods but can't be reused. I just tell the framer to cut the ends off when she frames the picture. Wonderful invention! You can shop online at Stitchery.com. Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll be happy. There are several kinds to choose from. Good luck and happy stitching.
by: Senior Stitcher on 11/21/14
SeniorStitcher, Tomorrow's Treasures is an American Dream product and I agree one of the best choices.
by: shorterhorse on 11/22/14
Thanks for the info, I, too, plan on getting a frame. Hope that I can get used to it. I already gave a few to my daughter. American dream that can be placed on my lap sounds like the one for me.
by: Texas Stitcher on 11/22/14
jl, is the one that SS mentioned the one then? You know, I'm making plans for my Garden of Delight!
by: Texas Stitcher on 11/22/14
Big Oops! Misread the Chat. It's the Stand that's needed, not the scrollframe. Probably is the one SS mentioned. I don't use 'em & have little knowledge. Have an Elan table top stand stored in the garage. It expands & has a clamp to hold the scrollframe. I got tired of loosening a knob to flip my work over for weaving in floss.
by: jlhewes on 11/22/14
See that's why I stitch ala Ms C!!! I had hoops that made the fabric sag and that flipping business got on my nerves. I didn't make progress. Elan table, huh, I have to do some research. Is it huge? How did they stitch in days of yore??
by: Texas Stitcher on 11/22/14
hello check joann's they have a 60% off coupon it's worth checking out ROBIN
by: robin lee on 11/23/14