Q-Snap Convert?
Yesterday I had to run some stitching-related errands downtown and while I was in the quilting shop searching for some appropriate fabric for my exchanges, I happened upon a set of 11″ Q-snaps. They were an impulse purchase, and to be honest, stitching was a bit awkward today as I had to rearrange my entire stitching niche (and sitting positions) to accommodate them, but I after I get some new stitching routines established I think I will be glad I bought them.
This is not my first set of Q-snaps: You probably don’t remember, but last summer I bought a set of 6″ Q-snaps in the hopes of moving away from my hoops. Unfortunately, I was never very content with them because I felt that they were too bulky and heavy, so I put them away. However, even though I went back to my hoops, I kept thinking that perhaps I hadn’t given the Q-snaps a fair chance as I had never really given myself time to get used to them. Therefore about a month ago I started using the 6″ Q-snaps a little bit, read up on Q-snaps in general, and of course, asked some fellow stitchers for advice.
From the information I had read and the responses I got from others, I came to the conclusion that my problem with the Q-snaps was mainly due to size. The first thing I realized was that I was trying to use the Qs like a hoop in the sense that I was moving small snaps around on large pieces of fabric and though it sort of worked, it was really not the “proper” way to use them. Most suggestions were to get a larger set of Q-snaps that I could put my large pieces in so that I could stitch without having to move the Q-snaps all day. For small projects it was recommended that I stay with the hoop or stitch in hand.
I had been mulling all of this over to the point that I had put a pair of 11″ Q-snaps in my ONS shopping basket, but I had not yet placed the order. Compared to a hoop, I deemed the Q-snaps to be rather expensive and kept thinking that I would be mad at myself if I spent the money and was as disappointed with the large set as I was with the small set. However, when I saw them in the quilting shop yesterday and could actually see and touch them, the impulse shopper in me took over and I came home with them.
I was anxious to give them a try today and though it took a little trial and error to find a new stitching position that was comfortable I still managed to stitch for over three hours on “Catch the Wind” using my new 11″ Q-snaps and was pretty satisfied the experience… of course now I am seriously contemplating adding a lap or floor stand to my ever-expanding stitching accessory collection!
P.S. Please forgive tonight’s progress scan of Mary: She was so unhappy when I put her down for the evening that she decided to flip me the bird! How rude! Whatever happened to that polite Victorian girl that I knew? 
27 June 2006 at 22:55
I love Q-snaps. I think I own all of the various sizes. For larger projects, it’s much easier using the largest size that’ll fit properly, so you wind holding just the frame in a way. Otherwise I always feel like I’ll get lost in all the folds of fabric. That said I’ve found I’ve moved back to using hoops some of the time recently. When I’m stitching near the very edges of the pattern, it always feels too loose, no matter how much I’ve adjusted the tension. Those sections usually wind up being done with a hoop now and that’s worked out better.
That’s a funny progress picture. Obviously Mary is very um… opinionated.
28 June 2006 at 00:07
Oh my …she certainly DID flip you the bird. LOL
I think you will love the Q-snaps in time. I have several sets and if I don’t stitch in hand, Q-snaps is my next choice.
Hopefully, your Victorian lady will regain her mild manners tomorrow.
28 June 2006 at 05:26
And who says modern time kids are bad? As we can see it’s an old tradition for (pre-)teens to misbehave.
28 June 2006 at 05:39
too funny! She is sure of herself to say the least! ha ha.
I impulsed a few Qsnaps as well, haven’t had the courage to take them out of the package yet!
28 June 2006 at 15:16
The info you’ve received about larger Q-snaps is intriguing. I got a small set myself last year, got frustrated with them, and ended up sending them to another stitcher on one of the bulletin boards. I think some of my issues with them may also have stemmed from the fact that my fabric was just barely big enough to fit? Hmmmm.
Too funny about your little Victorian firecracker there!! (Reminds me of the little bear I stitched who’s paws -according to DH - looked rather like….well…..a VERY well-endowed woman, until the backstitching was complete…. LOL)
28 June 2006 at 18:18
My q-snaps were the best thing I bought but I agree you have to find a comfortable position to stitch with the bigger ones.
Catch the Wind is looking great…I also loved stitching the girls
28 June 2006 at 19:32
Catch the Wind is looking beautiful - although hilarious - she sure did want you to stitch some more didn’t she?! I am glad that the responses you got on the Q-Snaps helped. Like I said on the Friends Gather board - they are definetly worth it, but will require a bit of an adjustment to them. Let me know how it goes!
29 June 2006 at 04:43
I’ll give up my Qs and my GripIt floorstand when they pry ‘em out of my cold dead fingers!
29 June 2006 at 14:07
I thought the same thing about getting the finger when I was stitching her! I even pointed it out to Rob. he got quite the kick out of it.
29 June 2006 at 15:13
Told ya! Once I bought my first Q-snap I never touched my hoops again.
30 June 2006 at 11:33
I tried Q’s a little while back but started out w/the big ones and just couldn’t get ‘em comfie enough to stitch. I use a GripIt as Darla and if I could figure out how to make them work together I would be OH so happy!
30 June 2006 at 19:45
I love my Q-Snaps. Like Darla, I won’t give them up unless I’m dead, lol. Favorite size is the 11″ and I’ll go bigger for beading, but I don’t like any bigger than 11×17. Too awkward for my tastes. Q-Snaps and my Gazelle made me one VERY happy stitcher.
30 June 2006 at 23:37
I’m a Q-Snap convert. I thought my 11 inch frame was the greatest - till I bought the next size up! I’m in love!!
Hey, you tell Mary that nice girls don’t do that!
9 July 2006 at 12:29
I have always been an in hand stitcher and gave in to temptation when one of the American ladies sent me an 8″ set to try. I use that quite a lot now. I also have the 11″ and just recently added the 17″ ones. Still stitch in hand on a lot of projects, but they are excellent for when I’m stitching with silks.