I am taking a poll
Okay everyone. I have been curious and decided to take a poll to either push me on or stop me from trying this....

How many of you, without a free stand, use two hands to stitch. This means a hoop or Q-snaps or a roller framer you hold in your lap. I am doing a HUGE project (Shakespearean fantasy by HAED) and have been trying using two hands to stitch and I am not very adept at it. It just seems to take so much time moving my right hand from underneath to top to pull my needle and then letting go and going back underneath to grab the needle etc...

So I guess my question is this..... How many of you got used to using two hands (one underneath and one on top) to stitch using a lap method. I want to know if I will eventually get better at it and if it really saves time. Are your stitches even or can you tell when you use your left hand vs your right. If I can't get used to this will it make a difference ( I can probably guess the answer) but have you learned to do this and will it get more natural with time? If it does I can live with the uncomfortable stitches using my left hand (I am right handed) but if it always stays unnatural I guess its not worth it.

I even think I would be uncomfortable using a stand. Does anyone else feel this way? Am I wasting my time trying or should I persevere?
Just want to get some input.
I thank you all for your opinion.....
Suzanne
Posted by: s1fuss on 06/30/15
Post a Reply
Please Wait ...
Page:
Please Wait ...
I don't usually work on anything that is too large for my lap. Currently doing Celtic Christmas and I use one hand and take forever. At one time I did try the two-handed method but found it very difficult. I expect that it would get easier over time. Good luck
Posted by: quilterangel123 on 06/30/15
Of course the movement from top to underneath is more noticeable with large projects, but after a broken wrist, I couldn't get used to the double handed move again. Decided I wasn't in that big a hurry, anyway. :)
Posted by: VCESS on 06/30/15
I do not use a stand. I use my left hand to stitch and my right to hold my material. Usually my material is in a Q-snap frame, which means I hold the right side of the frame with my right hand and the botton of the frame is propped against my waiste/hip. With smaller items, I do not use my stomach to prop. I don't think I could use a stand, just because of the way I curl up in my big stuffed chair to do my stitching. And it is impossible for me to hold a needle in my right hand, although I use a scissors right-handed.
Adele
Posted by: arottenbucher on 06/30/15
I LOVE my lap frame. I've had a floor frame for twenty years, but when I got recliners, I couldn't use it anymore. I didn't think a lap frame would work because I am so heavy, but it's perfect. K's Creations and q-snap. I use my dominant hand underneath. It's quicker and I feel like I have very good control of the tension. It didn't take me long to get used to it. Holding the hoop hurts my wrist.

Simon in Austin
Posted by: Simon Purple on 06/30/15
I have never used a stand, even with large projects. Large items can be cumbersome, but it didn't alter the stitches.
Posted by: toodles150 on 06/30/15
I don't use a stand, not even for my big HAED projects. I use Q-Snaps. I'm sitting in a recliner that's tilted back so it raises my lower legs. I'm left-handed and stitch both above and below with my left hand with one exception when I use both hands. If it is one of my large HAED projects, I put the recliner back which raises the recliners legrest. Once the legrest is up, I slide the bottom of my feet against the closer edge of the footrest which bends my knees up,where I put my project. If the floss isn't real long and the design area I'm working on is centered - and the bottom of the frame against my belly- I have room to put my left (dominant) hand under the frame and keep it there to push the needle back up through the fabric and my right hand to stitch from the top. Problem is, after a while this position gets tiring, so then I go back to stitching with my left hand both above and below the fabric.
Posted by: Bermuda on 06/30/15
no stand.. use hoop, size depending of size of project; hold hoop w/ left hand, stitch w/ right under/ over.. the way I learned..
Happy stitching..
Posted by: dbye468 on 06/30/15
Many years ago I tried stitching while using a stand. Did not work for me.

Cannot imagine how I would handle trying to stitch a gargantuan piece like Shakespearean Fantasy. In fact, I cannot imagine even considering it.

Tis pattern is gorgeous.

Do you realize that it calls for 41 skeins of black!?!?!? 160 skeins of floss in total!!!!!!! You could really use one of those twenty skeins for a dollar sale!!!!!

How are you planning on displaying it when you are finished stitching?

I admire your ambition. Will you also be working on smaller projects at the same time?
Posted by: NANCYE G on 06/30/15
Sorry, but even for my very large projects I use my "old faithful" 7 inch plastic and metal tension hoop. I am left-handed so I hold it in my right hand and stitch with over and under with my left hand. It has worked for me for over 30 years. I enjoy reading about all the ways you all do your stitching.
Posted by: syagel on 06/30/15
The two-handed method always reminds me of THE HEIRESS....Yes, I watch a LOT of TCM! :)
Posted by: VCESS on 06/30/15