HAED tips

[megan_bright]

So I just started my first HAED, but I'm using 18 ct and so the fabric is huge and gets in my way and I can only roll it back so much before it gets bulky...is there anything I can do to make it easier to work with?
Any other suggestions for someone just starting with one?? I'm trying not to be intimidated lol

[Ketta]

A lot of people use frames (the wooden type or the Q-snap pvc frames) and hoops. I've noticed that many people on these forums prefer the Q-snap frames because it's a lot easier to re-position them and they don't crease the fabric like hoops can.

I don't use any of those, but that's just me. I work on projects that are pretty large, but stitch 'in hand'. I don't like to mess with frames, and I don't like hoops because they leave crease marks on the fabric and finished work. In my own personal experience, it's been very difficult to remove those marks and not worth the trouble.

What I do with all the wads of extra fabric depends on the project and where I'm stitching. I roll up the extra fabric when I can and use a loose hair clip so it's not flopping about. If I can hold the extra fabric in my non-stitching hand, I do that instead. I'm right-handed, and tend to start projects in the lower right-hand corner, and as I stitch I roll up stitched areas (with stitching inward).

That's just me, though. Everyone here has their own comfortable techniques.