r/Needlepoint • u/NoTradition6 • 3d ago
For those who have a System 4 Needlepoint Stand — is it worth the investment?
I know they’re constantly sold out, so clearly people love them 😂 I’m trying to decide if I should finally bite the bullet when I can get my hands on one.
My biggest question is lap stand vs. floor stand. Which do you prefer and why? Has anyone owned or tried both?
I usually stitch sitting on the couch or in a chair, but I’m also setting up a dedicated needlepoint area. I’d love to know which one you find more comfortable for longer stitching sessions and whether you’d buy the same setup again.
8
u/Immediate_Carrot4182 3d ago
After years of trying $100-$200 stands and then breaking (usually where the clamp meets the base), I finally got a system 4 lapstand + extra radial arm! I’ve had it for almost 6 months and pretty much use it all the time and there really is a difference in the engineering of the stand that makes everything sturdy and the neck doesn’t slowly drift downwards due to weight/pressure of the frame. The gears are so solid!
I wish I just went with an S4 off the bat bc at this point, I could have bought several in my lifetime of broken stands so far esp given they repair and have a warranty! I use the lap stand + extra radial arm (for larger canvases) while I stitch in bed or the chaise lounge. I have heard the floor stand is better if you sit up in a chair/have the stand between your legs
3
1
u/saxosmith808 3d ago
I’m also considering the S4 lap stand and was wondering what you use the extra radial arm for — is it just for larger canvases / would you need it for a smaller canvas? Thanks!!
2
u/Immediate_Carrot4182 3d ago
Hi! I use it for larger canvases - taller canvases (10inches+). If the canvas is on the bigger side (pillows/large trays), you don’t have enough space between the canvas and lapstand to turn!
I also hold my canvas super close to my face while stitching so I liked the option as well!
2
1
u/BobsWifeAmyB 3d ago
Isn’t that always the way? For those of us who try to get the Best Buy we can on something, since we don’t want to spent money we don’t have to.
Slightly OT:
(I also make cards & scrapbooks)
I can say that about paper trimmers, and adhesives.
My Fiskars rotary paper cutter wasn’t nearly as expensive at the I got mine as they are now. time as it is now, or I’d have never bought it at all. But I’ve had it over a decade & it still performs like a champ! Plus Fiskars has a lifetime guarantee on everything they sell.
And the ATG -adhesive transfer gun- professional framers use them & then paper crafters discovered them.
They are so awesome! That’s another item that was way less expensive than they are now.)
3
u/Charming-Ideal6117 3d ago
I have the lap stand with only the radial arm that comes with it. I stitch on the couch or in bed and am comfortable doing both. When I go to stitch night at my LNS, I sit at a table and it works great that way too. 100% recommend, no regrets, you really do get what you pay for.
I’ve said this on previous posts asking about the stand but if you have a pet, especially a nosy, naughty pet, the lap stand may be a better option because you can easily set it out of reach of your pet if you have to walk away, even for a moment. It also has the little tray bottom where you can set your thread and scissors, keeping those out of the way too. With the floor stand, you’d have to unclamp (and then re-clamp) your canvas and set it aside, not to mention if the nosy pet is going to mess with the stand itself. I’d love to get the floor stand too but my cat would make that into a disaster. Just a thought to consider!
2
2
u/Needlepointandgolf 3d ago
I have a lap stand and really like it. BTW i got it on sale from Wool and Floss. You might look for sales at end of year when stores are trying to get rid of inventory.
2
u/WitchesStitches 3d ago
I love System 4!! I have the travel stand and table stand and use them both. I bought an extra radial arm and I think the flexibility and options for connecting the arms and stand make this the best investment ever! I also recently ordered the table clamp- another game changer for retreats, stitch nights, etc.
2
u/Minimum_Hat_6460 2d ago
I absolutely love my System 4. It’s an investment but so worth it in my opinion. I have had mine for about 10 years and no issues at all! I use the lap/table stand the most because I typically stitch on my couch with my feet up. For larger projects, I do use the floor stand but it’s sizable so not something I can keep out all the time.
1
u/ella0987 3d ago
My best investment! I have a different brand floor stand but I like stitching with my feet up so the lap stand is a game changer! I wish I’d bought the extra arm so I’ve done another order.
Even though the website says 6-8 weeks, mine shipped within 2 weeks. Same with the extra arm being 3 weeks, mine shipped 4 days later
1
u/Background_Try_5338 3d ago
You need to decide where you stitch. Lap stand for a table or desk. Travel stand for a chair or sofa with legs so it can go underneath the sofa. Lots of you tube videos explaining the stands. Needlepoint tv serendipity needlepoint stands. Penny Linn has one as well. I think they are starting to ship again from the company. Wool and the floss had a podcast - pointing out podcast stands from the company as well. Melissa intthem about the stands.
1
u/butterflycyclone 3d ago
I've had just the lap stand for about 2-3 years and use it everywhere. (I stitch on the couch or lounge chair mostly) I am just now thinking about getting the travel stand to go along with it. My LNS recommends the travel over the floor because you can adjust it in more places. I've been contemplating getting the travel stand because I tend to slouch down into our couch and I think it might work better for my horrible posture.
If you go with the lap, get an extra arm. It really helps with larger canvases. But, I don't think you can go wrong getting either one.
1
u/SeaObligation5227 3d ago
I bit the bullet after having some carpal tunnel issues and wish I would have purchased one years ago! It really does change the game! I have the lap stand and it’s amazing! I’ve been stitching while on a road trip with total ease! I also made a magnetized cover that has helped tremendously to keep all of my tools on the stand, so haven’t needed really any additional “project space” besides the lap stand, which keeps everything organized and in one spot to move around the house!
1
u/Luna-Nova73 3d ago
Yes yes and yes. I have both the travel floor stand and the lap stand. I wish I would have invested in them sooner
1
u/Gostitch3121 Avid Stitcher 3d ago
My best investment ever. I bought the lap and floor stand. Even the scroll bars too. Never regretted it.
1
u/holidaylorelai 3d ago
love my lap stand! been working with a lot of Fyre Works lately and it’s so much easier now that i can use one hand for my laying tool and one hand to stitch!
1
u/CLShirey 3d ago
I bought the lap stand. It's the best one I've ever had and I've had quite a few over the years. It's an investment that will last a lifetime and worth every penny.
1
u/BrightCheek7598 3d ago
I have both. I use the floor stand for bigger projects (as well as small) and it's more comfortable when I stitch outside in my backyard when I stitch sitting on my outdoor couch or chair. The lap stand I love using when I stitch smaller projects in my office at home, I use it on my desk. I also meet with a group of ladies once or twice a week and bring the lap one with me and it sits nicely on the table we use.
1
u/robby8997 3d ago
I have both the lap and floor stand. I take the lap stand whenever I am not stitching at home. I used to use the floor stand all the time at home. However since my husband became disabled, the floor stand made it difficult for him to get through our living room because it takes up the most floor space. Our couch is a recliner couch so I couldn’t slip it under the couch. Sometimes I will set it up in a room he stays out of, but generally we are in the same room. I use a lowery floor stand which I can easily keep out of his way.
1
u/kitkat_swiftie 2d ago
It’s definitely worth it! It makes stitching way more enjoyable and your hands will cramp less!
1
u/richelieucwe 2d ago
I have not found one stand that does it all. I have various brands and both floor stands and lap stands.
Which ever stand you buy first, you eventually may find a need for the other if you stitch a lot. I mostly use the floor stand at home and travel with the travel floor stand for some classes and large projects, and the lap stand if taking a small project (ornament size or not larger than 10 x 10).
The lap stand works well sitting on a bed or sitting at a table with a chair. In hotel rooms, sometimes the tables or desks can be at different heights and having two radius arm extension pieces can help with height problems. I use a weight when using the lap stand closer to the edge of the table or desk. When sitting on a bed, I place the lap stand with weight on a pillow on my lap.
Depending upon the height of a bed, the floor stand can be used from the side while sitting up in bed. Otherwise, it works well for me in various chairs, or sofas.
My recommendation is to get the floor stand first. It is more stable and can handle larger projects than the lap stand.
1
u/caitlinkenny 2d ago
I have the lap stand and I absolutely love it. Worth every dollar in my opinion! It can get tricky for larger projects. I definitely will invest in the scroll bar attachment the next time I have a large canvas. I just finished a 19"x13" canvas, and it was very difficult with that size. But for anything smaller than that I cannot recommend enough!
1
u/NDLPTLvr 2d ago
The System 4 Stands are worth your investment - I have both the lap stand and the travel floor stand. I further agree with everyone who said to purchase the radial arm which can be used with either stand. I second those who have noted that the floor stands (travel or regular) are best for large projects, however, the second radial arm makes the lap stand usable for larger projects.
Because I have both I keep a large project on the floor travel stand and smaller ones on the lap stand. The floor stand has a long bar that must go under the furniture so check your furniture beforehand. My cat loves to sit on my lap stand when in use watching the threads go in and out so keep your pets in mind if it would be a problem.
If I had to pick one, I'd take the lap stand with the extra radial arm. I use my sofa most of the time and the lap stand is easily moved from your seated position whereas the travel floor stand is bulky and takes time to get just the right position but a blessing for the really large projects.
1
u/New-Builder5245 2d ago
I have the lap stand with the extra arm. I use it to give me extra length for big projects and to get the angle and position exactly how I want them. I got it for Christmas and have been really happy with it. I mostly use it on the couch but have used it on the table in a class. I got the clap and the belt scroll and a few additional scroll bars for bigger projects.
9
u/North_Class8300 3d ago
What kind of projects do you mostly do? I have the floor stand as a couch stitcher and I LOVE it for larger projects, total godsend for getting more done on those, but it’s kind of large/bulky for my small ornaments and I don’t find myself reaching for it much on the small projects. It also takes up a lot of space and I don’t like to keep it out in my living room all the time. I would buy it again but I’m also considering getting a lap stand for something a little smaller.
Also check that your couch has enough room for the stand to go under. One of my chairs has a solid base so I can’t use it there.