If you're here, it's because you found me on Instagram, so you've likely already seen the IGTV video that I put on my feed.
However, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on what clams, clamps, ponys, horses, donkeys or rinos you use to stitch and why you like them.
If you haven't seen the video...
I've not used a clam but rather a pony of my design and construction. I wanted something to accommodate everything from card wallets to crossbody bags, and so far this has filled the bill, though it's not nearly as pretty as the clams Phil has shown us.
One of the legs is stationary -- joined to the base with a wedged mortise and tenon, as well as supported on top of the base with a block screwed to both leg and base. The other leg attaches to the base with brass hinges. The closure is adjusted with a knob spinning on a threaded rod, which can be drawn into its turnbuckle or extended out quite wide. The legs are 4.5" wide, the throat from jaw to rod is 14.5". The wood came from the scrap pile, and the hardware and leather were store-bought. Come to think of it, the base is part of a table top I salvaged from somewhere. The jaw height allows me to sit in a relaxed position for stitching. My feet anchor the base, which I cut narrow enough to slide between chair legs so I can get as close to the work as I want.
Gotta love that dry English humor though 🤣
Hey!
Thanks @Philip for that review, I liked it very much as it was very useful to know pros and cons of each (English and French).
.One question: I have a "grammatical" issue.... ( as I am not native English speaker):
- Is the correct word "clam" or "clamp"?
If I search the word clam in www, it says ---> clam n(type of mollusc)
... I don't imagine myself stitching between 2 mollusc shells!!! hahahahah :)
So maybe there's any informal use for "clam" and it's not retrieved by Mr Google?
-------
okkkk!!!
To reply to the question in title, up to now I just own a French, foldable one:
... but I admit that I like to see both sides of the leather while stitching and am thinking to get an English one, or maybe a pony like this:
I don't know if you guys have tried ponies? and what opinions you have....
Meanwhile, I will keep stitching with the French "device", I don't dislike it at all! just consider I don't have practice enough (yet) to handle it properly and get nice results. Need to improve a lot!!!
- Maru