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Mary Corbet

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I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

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Needlework System 4 Stand Extension

 

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My favorite needlework stand for holding my hoops or frames is the Needlework System 4 stand, with the frame clamp. I love this piece of equipment! I’ve written already an in-depth review of the Needlework System 4 stand, including a short video that demonstrates how it turns easily, but today I’m going to show you a new piece I bought for it…

This piece is an extension that fits on the Needlework System 4 stand, between the top of the stand and the clamp (or other devises – like scroll frame connector, etc.). It’s an arched piece of metal, with the same end fittings as the other pieces, so that they all fit together.

Needlework System 4 Stand Extension

At first, I wondered about the purpose of the extension when I heard that there was one available. I usually use my stand from the front position of wherever I’m sitting, so that the frame clamp is at the top of my work directly in front of me, and I hadn’t seen the need for an extension.

However, one day I was working on a larger frame, and I was thinking it would be nice if I could put the floor stand easily to the side, over the arm of the couch, so that I didn’t have the stand sitting way out in the middle of the floor, since the frame it was holding was over 20″ deep….

… and that’s when I realized that the extension would be pretty nice to have.

Needlework System 4 Stand Extension

The arch of the extension allows you to put the frame easily to the side, over the arm of a chair or couch. You can adjust the extension bar to point up or down, or leave it “horizontal” (insofar as an arch can be horizontal!), and then you can further adjust the frame clamp into whatever position you want.

Besides being handy for the side-position arrangement of the stand, the extension also makes it easier to get your work right where you want it, if the stand is directly in front of you. The extension gives the stand one more option for adjustment. Also, basically, it just gets your work closer (by about 10″) and from any direction.

The extension is made out of metal, and matches the rest of the stand in quality construction. It’s made to last!

I really do love the Needlework System 4! It’s by far the best embroidery stand I’ve ever used (and I think I’ve used pretty much every stand out there). I’ve only had one minor problem with the frame clamp. After using it a ton – as in, every day, day in day out, for a year, and turning it too many times to count while using it – the turning mechanism loosened up quite a bit. When I contact the Needlework System 4 company, they wrote back and told me to ship it in, and they’d fix it or replace it (no charge!) There’s a lifetime warranty on the stand, but I doubt it would be much needed. And, actually, I found a better fix for the turning mechanism on the frame clamp (I didn’t want to be without it for too long!). I used a wrench to tighten things up – and… voila! Back to normal.

If you’re looking for a good embroidery stand, you won’t be disappointed with this one. If you don’t use stretcher bar frames, they have several other options for the stand: scroll bars and a Q-snap holder (though I admit, I use my frame clamp to hold Q-snaps, and it works “ok”). If you’re solely a hoop person, the frame clamp holds hoops pretty well, too.

I’m totally unaffiliated with the company or any of its distributors, so there’s no “sell job” going on here. Just a hearty recommendation for a really good embroidery stand!

If you’ve already got the Needlework System 4, consider adding the extension. It’s nice. I’m glad I bought it!

So far, the best place I’ve found to purchase the stand is through Threadneedle Street in Issaquah, WA, which I just recently visited. They have the best prices that I’ve seen on the stand, plus they stock it and the accessories in the store, so you don’t normally have to wait as long for delivery. The only difficulty is that their web page is kind of a pain to shop through, but it still works. You can also call them and place an order over the phone, if you don’t like their online order form.

I haven’t tried the scroll frame or Q-snap holder for the Needlework System 4. Each element of the system is indeed rather pricey, so I’ve stuck so far with just the frame clamp. But I’m considering the future purchase of the standard scroll frame attachment and the regular Q-snap attachment. I’m just not quite sure yet if I want to take the plunge. If you’ve got either of those – the scroll frame or the Q-snap holder – I’d love to hear what you think of them!

 
 

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(11) Comments

  1. Does the extension make it 'tippy'? It seems like a large, heavy frame would overbalance the stand and you'd end up with the frame in your lap – is the stand heavy enough to avoid this, or do you usually rest the bottom of the frame on something? I'd love to see a full-length picture of it in action.

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  2. Nope, it doesn't make it tippy! I thought it would a little bit, but the frame is balanced by a long central leg, so it holds up very well, whether you have a large or small frame on it, with the extension, or without!

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  3. Thanks for the info on the extension. This is the first time I've seen it. I have 2 Systems 4 stands- the travel stand and the regular stand. I also have a set of the very large scroll bars that I use to work on a very large koi piece. For those of your readers doing mega sized pieces, this really fits the bill.
    I love, love, love, the Q snap frame, and use it for crazy quilting as well as other types of embroidery. I use the stab, not stitch method of stitching, so this works well for those who are "stabbers". It makes us sound rather fiendish, doesn't it?
    For those in the Midwest, Designers Desk in Geneva Illinois is very knowledgeable on this product, and also sells magnifier lights that fit right into the wood accessory holder.

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  4. I want to second Mary's recommendation for Threadneedle Street. I've bought all of my Needlework System 4 pieces from them and have received excellent service. (I bought everything on-line and have never been to the actual store.)

    The extension has been on my wish list ever since it came out. One of these days I'll actually buy one. 🙂

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  5. The extension is originally a piece from System 4's lap/table stand. I've been attaching it to my floor stand for a few years and then take it off when I go to a class and need to use my lap/table stand. You can also attach it to the table clamp to give you another adjustment option. I stitch in a recliner most of the time and am able to maneuver the System 4, just right because of the extension.
    Cheryl – you shop at my absolute most favorite store but I don't remember seeing a wooden tool holder for the System 4. I think I need to run over there. Fortunately for me, it's only 9 miles away. 🙂

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    1. Hi
      I embroiders Hedebo and schattering embroidery mainly (never cross stich) in hoops.

      You write you use the stand with the clamp for hoops as well. Does it work just as well as with the strecher frames the NW4S was originally designes for?

      Thanks in advance.
      Best regards

      Laura

  6. Thanks so much for sharing and posting about this NS4 !
    It was of great help reading your feedback on it on a previous post, taken a look at the video and reading everyones coments on it ! I was searching for a stand but was very confused and overwhelmed by the many kinds and brands out there. Search is over, received mine 2 days
    ago (got the lap/table stand -wich by the way has been upgraded with a sturdier base than the one on the picture on their site-with the stretcher bar clamp).
    After comparing prices, got mine from http://www.stitchersparadise.com , great customer service . Got it in less than a week straight from the manufacturer. I'm sooo looking forward to using it this weekend for continuing with the Long and Short stitch lessons !

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  7. Hello Mary,

    Just wanted to add one more comment to the Needlework 4 System postings. I live in France, emailed Threadneedle Street to place my order for the floor stand plus the extension bar. They gave me excellent service, and I received everything I ordered in one box (included stretcher bars and Hardwicke hoop) in EIGHT DAYS. This is a record for receiving a package from the U.S. I gave Denise at Threadneedle "special instructions" to put the names of the items I ordered in French (to ensure it would pass quickly through Customs). The shipping was only $56.95 priority airmail. A deal. Am thrilled to have this system and a big thank you to you for the thorough review of the system on your site.
    Sharon

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  8. Hi Mary,
    I received a Lazy M Needlework Stand from my 93 yr old friend. I tried a search on google for more information but nothing on it. It has stretcher bars and I need help on setting up the fabric. The sides are attached with tacks but can’t figure out the top and bottom. I never used one, only use hoops. Hope you can help.
    Thanks,
    Dorothea

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    1. Hi, Dorothea – I’m not familiar with the stand or frame, but maybe someone else here is and can give you a hand? Also, if you can find a link to a photo of it online, we might be able to help you better. I googled, but couldn’t find an image associated specifically with that brand.

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