I’ve not done any embroidery for a while now. Mostly because the projects I want to do require larger stretchers and hoops, and I’ve found the weight of them hard on my wrists. So I’ve been looking at stands. There are a lot to choose from. Stands that hold a hoop at one point. Stands that prop up stretchers at either side. Taller stands that rest on the floor.
So Monday last week I decided to check out what was on eBay. There just happened to be an auction for a adjustable-width floor stand ending that night, for a bargain price of $12.50. I bid, won and picked it up that night. All that was required to attach my stretcher was two drill holes and some longer bolts:
Two days later, on an op shop tour with friends, I found a stretcher exactly the same width as the stand for $4.50.
So I’m obeying the messages of the craft gods and setting up to do my first blackwork sampler. And I’ve a hankering to try tambour embroidery, so I’ve ordered some hooks.
Congrats on the stands! Great finds – I hope the cat is cooperative and doesn’t keep landing on your work (one reason I don’t use a stand). As for blackwork – if you are interested in the old-style inhabited blackwork rather than the RSN-style imitation-photo blackwork, there are lots of great blogs by SCA members with info, filling patterns etc. One of the best is String or Nothing (http://string-or-nothing.com/) – Kim has a wonderful pdf book of fillings patterns for free download (Ensamplario Atlantio) plus links to lots of other sites with blackwork and other embroidery info.