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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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The Necessaire Floor Stand – The Millenium Frame’s Best Friend

 

Amazon Books

Back in November, I reviewed the Millenium needlework frame, and about a week later, wrote a follow-up article on the Millenium frame to answer some questions about it.

Needle Needs, the company that produces the Millenium frame, also makes a floor stand that accommodates the Millenium frame well. It’s called the Necessaire floor stand.

Necessaire Floor Stand

The Necessaire is made entirely of wood, with the exception of the hardware and knobs used to assemble and adjust the parts of the stand.

Necessaire Floor Stand

The stand pairs up perfectly with Millenium frames. The “holding” concept of the stand is simple – two vertical arms that can be adjusted out to 18″ extend from the top of the frame rest, and at the end of each arm is a peg. The Millenium frame rests on the two arms, and the pegs keep it in place. To get to the back of your frame, you just pick it up and turn it over.

The central column of the Necessaire stand “telescopes” – that is, it can be raised and lowered vertically. It does not tilt forward. When working in a regular chair (for example, a kitchen chair), the stand is telescoped up all the way. When sitting on a sofa, the stand can be adjusted much lower. In order for the frame to be comfortably situated in a stitching position (tilted), the very top of the stand is where the adjustments are made.

Necessaire Floor Stand

There is an adjustable head at the top of the central column of the stand, to which a little toggle mechanism is attached, and this mechanism provides support for three tilting positions for the frame. By adjusting the tilt of the frame rest, you can achieve a comfortable stitching situation regardless of whether you’re sitting on a sofa or in a high back chair.

Necessaire Floor Stand

Wherever adjustments need to be made on the stand, these adjustments are achieved by loosening or tightening these plastic knobs. They’re pretty easy to handle, though I think a little small. Stitchers with arthritic hands may find them troublesome.

Necessaire Floor Stand

This is the “toggle” mechanism. This little wedge of wood fits into one of the three grooves to provide support for the tilt of the frame rest. The tilt is also held by tightening up a knob; the wooden wedge holds the tilt position in place and provides support for the weight of the frame, keeping the knob from loosening. It’s a clever contraption!

Necessaire Floor Stand

The stand comes unassembled, with all the hardware for assembling. And just to demonstrate attention to detail, under the head of the stand, there’s a little leather loop attached, into which fits the Allen wrench that is used for assembling the stand. That’s so you don’t lose the Allen wrench. Since I am perpetually prone to losing such things, I appreciate this little addition!

Pros

The stand is very well made – all the edges are beveled, the wood is perfectly smooth, all the parts fit together exactly as they should and once they are together, they hold well.

Lots of well-thought-out details here! For example, on the frame rest, there is, cut across it, a smart slanted groove that holds patterns or charts for easy viewing, and there are little hooks for the side of the frame rest, in case you want to hang any tools or threads within reaching distance. Another example, the arms on the frame rest are adjustable in two positions, so that the frame rest can accommodate the largest (18″) side stretchers for the Millenium frame.

The stand is easy to assemble.

The Necessaire does its job well – it holds the Millenium frame very comfortably for stitching. I have to say, I have enjoyed using it immensely! In addition to holding the Millenium frame, it also holds stretcher bars easily, as long as they are no more than 18″ high (they can be much wider than 18″, but the sides can be more than 18″). It also holds larger hoops easily, even if you’re working on something like a big tablecloth. You can bring the side bars of the frame rest in towards each other and rest about 8″ or larger hoops on them. It also holds small and medium-small slate frames. If you never use a slate frame larger than 18″ high, this could solve your “trestle dilemma” (if you’ve been looking for trestles). But if you typically use larger slate frames, and if the frames have any real weight to them, then this won’t work for you. But for smaller slate frames, it works great.

The price. Yes, this is a “pro”! Most floor stands are pretty darned expensive. Those of you who have purchased, for example, the Needlework System 4 stand know what I mean. It’s anywhere from $275 – $300 (or more) for the basic working parts of that floor stand. The Lowery floor stand runs $310+. K’s Creations stainless steel stand starts at $290, but if you want the more stable feet available, you’ll pay a minimum of $320 for it.

So the Necessaire clocks in pretty inexpensively, at (right now) about US$142.80 (£109.56). Even with shipping to the US, it’s still less expensive than the more popular floor stands here in the US. As far as quality goes, it stands up to all of them.

Cons

Update, 2016 One con worth mentioning is the delivery time for orders from Needle Needs. When I received mine, the company was sending orders promptly and they were keeping up quite well with business. Since then, they’ve had a hard time keeping up with business, and orders – especially international orders – are very slowly fulfilled. I’ve heard from many readers who have waited a year or longer to receive their frames or stands. So bear that in mind if you decide to order products from Needle Needs.

Other than that, cons are few!

I think the knobs are a little small and would be difficult for someone with arthritic hands to operate them. If you don’t have this problem, then you don’t have anything to worry about. If you do, though, you might keep this in mind. You don’t have to adjust the knobs often, though, so if you have your Luvy around who can do it for you, or a stitching companion, then the problem is minimized.

You are limited to frames that are 18″ high. If you’re using the Millenium frames and can roll your work, then this isn’t a problem. If you’re working larger goldwork projects or things that can’t be rolled, if the sides are longer than 18″, this stand won’t work.

Some folks might find the lack of forward tilt on the central column of the stand a put-off. The stand only adjusts vertically in height, and the tilt of the frame depends on the tilt of the top mechanism onto which the frame rest is attached. So there is no “forward tilt” of the whole stand itself. I did test the Necessaire at the sofa, though, and it works fine. You just have to pull the stand a little closer in, lower the vertical column, and tilt the head into whatever comfortable position you want. The stand does not work at a recliner. Since I do all my stitching in a straight back chair (boring, I know!), I don’t have a problem with the lack of forward tilt, and frankly, I appreciate the simplicity of the stand without all the extra tilting areas and so forth. To me, the simpler the better, as extra movement on a floor stand just means extra places to adjust every time you use it, and extra places and hardware that can get worn over time.

So that’s the Necessaire floor stand from Needle Needs in the UK. I like it a lot. I’m using it comfortably. It makes me Happy! If you’re looking for a stand – and especially if you’re using Millenium frames, stretcher bars, or small or medium-small slate frames, check into the Necessaire. It might be just right for you!

 
 

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(16) Comments

  1. Hi Mary,

    I love reading your messages/articles every day and this review is so well timed! I have asked Santa for one of these stands;also a frame and I have a feeling that Santa is going to be very kind. But it’s always a worry when these sorts of things are ordered ‘blind’ so to speak. I now have more confidence that I won’t be disappointed. Thank you.

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  2. I’ve already asked Santa for the whole setup, although I’d be amazed if I actually got any of it. I’m in love with it and we haven’t even met!

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  3. I like my Necessaire floor stand very much. I ordered it at the same time as the Millenium frame. I do crewel work on linen twill most of the time and this frame/stand combo works very well for me. The stand is easy to put together, stable, comfortable to stitch on (easily adjustable heights). I have had no problem with the fact the stand doesn’t tilt – it doesn’t need to as far as I’m concerned. It’s a well made, serviceable stand and I’m glad I bought it.

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  4. I ordered the Millineum frame after your review and, while I haven’t actually done any work yet, I quickly set it up to check it out and it will possibly be the last frame I purchase! Absolutely does the trick for me. I also ordered the lap stand because I do most of my work in a recliner.It works the same as the floor stand. My only possible problem is that the support pieces may hold the frame a little too high. Too soon to tell. If there are minor adjustments required my ever suffering other half can easily make them.

    At this point I am working on small peices.My goal is to try my hand at every type of needle work I can, so the smaller working area suits me.

    Thanks Mary, for your review. I needed a frame that could accomodate switching easily from one project to another.

    I can’t imagine anyone would be disappointed with the products NeedleNeeds provides.

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  5. Mary,

    You write wonderful reviews. Thank you. I have a very cheap embroidery stand that is similar in form to this one, but not well made at all. My youngest daughter calls it the “embroidery dragon”. I would love to upgrade “dragons”, but I doubt that will happen any time soon.

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  6. Hi Mary,

    Great review and what a beautiful piece of workmanship. It is a bit complicated for me. I have a floor stand I bought about four years ago and it was about $60, it does tilt but I love it. Maybe because it is my first? 😉 any way I wanted to comment on how well made that stand is, I love embroidery but I also love woodwork that obviously is well made and it really shows that someone cared about the design.

    Nice job!

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  7. Wonderful review with great comments! In fact, it is so wonderful that I’m getting the frame and stand as a Christmas present! I can’t wait to get it and try it out!

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  8. Mary,

    I am very keen in knowing whether the American Dream Products scroll frame would work with this stand? Do you think it would rest nicely on it?

    I am so wanting a floor stand, and I really think this one is the one for me to get. (Someday!)

    Thank you,
    Jennifer

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  9. After reading your excellent review of the Millenium frame, I purchased one. I am so pleased I recently placed another order for different sized bars. I love it! While I manage relatively well balancing the frame again chair arms or a table, I’m in the market for a stand and am torn between the NS4 and the Necessaire.

    The price of the Necessaire has gone up slightly. That, combined with shipping to the US make the price difference between it and the NS4 small enough that I’m not using that as a differentiating factor. I also use Evertite bars and am not planning on traveling with the stand. I work at the kitchen table or (occasionally) on the couch. I don’t know anyone with either stand to try out, so I thought I’d ask for your input. If you had to chose between your NS4 and the Necessaire, what would your thoughts be?

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  10. A little update for you which impacts 2 of the 3 cons in the review. Good news! Needle Needs is now offering 2 different sizes of Necessaire Arm Supports which can be purchased separately. A 12 inch and an 18 inch.

    Also, they also now offer the Necessaire Low-leg Add-on Kit. They let you modify your Necessaire stand so that the legs will slide under a low profile chair or sofa.

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  11. I’m looking into purchasing the Necessaries floor stand and the Millennium frame. As you we’ll know its expensive. Are you still using these? Would love to get an update as to your likes and dislikes. Would you recommend? Does it work well when stood on carpet does it keep it’s balance I hate floor stands that teeter / totter! Ease of use, etc. also have you used there magnifying glass if so what were your thought?
    Thank you in advance! I need to know if it’s worth saving my pennies for it?

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    1. Hi, Pam – yes, it works well on a carpeted floor. I still use both the frame and the stand pretty regularly. I like both. They are slow in coming, though, when ordered. I haven’t used their magnifier, so I can’t say how well it works.

  12. How / Can I order a millennium frame and stand. I would love to get both at the same time.

    Thank you.

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    1. You’ll need to order them from Needle Needs, the place linked to in the article above. They make them and they are the only stockists. If you’re in the States, it will take a while to receive your order (some people have waited up to a year for theirs, but I don’t know if that’s still the case – they may be keeping up with production a little better now). But if you have any questions about that, you’ll need to contact the company.

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