August 9th, 2010
When I first began stitching, many years ago, I didn’t have all the “tools of the trade” such as stretcher bars, lap frames, and stands. I would sail through a new project but as the canvas began to fill up with stitches I struggled with the crumpled bulk and by the time my project was completed, I had a wadded up and dirty mess. The oils from my hands transferred to my fibers and canvas leaving it dull and dinghy. My hands, arms and necked ached from holding the project in my hands. At the time I didn’t know that I could have better control of my canvas in such a way that would enhance my stitching, give me a cleaner finished project, and leave me more comfortable at the end of the day.
Then along came stretcher bars and I discovered that, unlike stitching in hand, there were five advantages to using stretcher bars: (1) reducing canvas bias, (2) keeping stitches uniform, (3) providing a third hand, (4) reducing stitcher fatigue, and (5) keeping canvas and fibers cleaner.
Reducing Canvas Bias: When a new canvas is begun, it is normally square or rectangular iin shape. When stitching in hand, the piece becomes twisted and distorted and looks more like a parallelogram created by the pull of many diagonal stitches all in the same direction. Blocking helps but some projects will relax back into distortion even after a piece has been blocked. Stretcher bars minimize bias and, in some cases prevents is altogether.
Posted in Beginner Tips | No Comments »
July 2nd, 2010
If you have been doing needlepoint for a while and you haven’t tried bargello stitching, you might want to try your hand at Bargello needlepoint. It’s fairly easy to learn and stitch. Bargello needlepoint is fascinating; in fact it’s one of my favorite needlepoint techniques and it has so many advantages.
Bargello is a form of needlepoint, primarily worked in upright long stitch or satin stitch and is traditionally worked on a mono canvas forming a repeating, geometric pattern. Bargello can be done as a small Christmas ornament, an upholstery covering, a purse cover or you can make beautiful rugs with it. No matter what colors or threads you like, bargello can be the answer for your needlepoint. It’s easy to find new patterns or you can even make your own patterns for bargello. You can make anything; it’s great to use with retro color scheme or you can do something a little more traditional. Bargello is a quicker stitch to work than the traditional tent stitches. It’s fun to stitch because you can see the pattern forming quickly. Bargello does, however require the precise counting of squares to be worked properly and it’s perfect for beginners. Once you work with bargello, you will find it easy to work and you will find yourself making great needlepoint for yourself and great gifts for others. You can find many free bargello patterns throughout the internet and you can get many tips for stitching four-way bargello. I hope that you will have as much fun stitching bargello needlepoint as much as I do.
Tags: Bargello needlepoint
Posted in Types of Stitches | No Comments »
July 1st, 2010
Are you crazy about needlepoint as much as I am? I love to needlepoint and I love the fact that in this day and age I am not alone. Thanks to the internet I can easily find others that are just as nuts about needlepoint as I am. The internet makes it easy for me to find out the latest and greatest about needlepoint all at my fingertips. I don’t have to wait for the local craft fair to come to town to meet new needlepoint enthusiast.
The internet lets me keep up to date in what is going on in the needlepoint world. The internet also gives me access to many reviews of books, products and threads that I would have never of gotten before. I am able to hear about the latest and greatest ideas for projects, this way I am up to date on new products and projects. I can read about what others think about new products before going out and purchasing them myself. The internet gives me access to hundreds more stores, giving me an endless array of options to choose from. I was once a skeptic of the internet but with a little time, I am not a skeptic no more. I love it, everything is so easy to find. I love to read everyone’s blogs and reviews, I love being able to help a fellow needlepointer with any questions they may have or even pass on a few ideas or tips. I just love being able to share my knowledge and love for needlepoint.
Tags: Are you crazy about needlepoint as much as I am?
Posted in Modern Neddlepoint | No Comments »
June 30th, 2010
Needlepoint stitch guides are to help you go from a painted canvas to a finished piece of needle art. You can always pick threads and stitches for your design and change is it up a bit from the standard guide, this will enable you to add your own personnel stamp to it. Every canvas, no matter how simple has interesting problems and opportunities, where you can express your ideas in stitches.
One of the hardest parts of stitching a hand painted canvas is finding the perfect background. There are many different choices for background stitches. The most important three aspects to consider when choosing your background are texture, scale and direction; these should be harmonized so that they do not compete with the stitches you have chosen for your focal point of the hand painted canvas. Considering that stitches and threads have texture to them, the texture for the background should not be stronger than the foreground because this will take away from your focal point. Open stitches are good because they look lower and give the illusion of being further in the back. There are many choices and possibilities when choosing your background; you just have to find the one that is perfect for you. Choosing the right stitches, threads and colors for your background is what will make the canvas uniquely yours. Don’t be afraid to explore and play with threads and colors there are endless possibilities, you just have to find the one that’s right for you.
Tags: problems and opportunities
Posted in Painted Canvas, Stitch Guides | No Comments »
June 29th, 2010
There are many needlepoint fibers out there but the one fiber that I love to use is cotton. When I first started to needlepoint the fiber of choice was wool, these days that is no longer the case. Many people often prefer the use of wool on their needlepoint because they think that wool is stronger and that cotton will not hold up over time but that is not the case. Cotton has been used for clothing for many, many years and can be used in more ways than any other fiber.
I especially love cotton because you can find it in an enormous range of colors, textures and effects, which can make a big difference in you needlepoint art. The different types of fibers can either give your piece a dramatic look or you can give it that old-fashioned look depending on the fibers you choose. For instance matte cottons have a dull texture and are soft and a bit fuzzy, thicker matte cottons give a soft hand and richness of color. Pearle cottons are made up of shiny two-ply strands twisted to give a pearled –like appearance. Pearl cottons are very strong and are one of the best needlepoint fibers available, pearl cotton is great to use on a pulled canvas. Last, shiny cottons are less shiny than pearl cotton, but have a great sheen to them. Shiny cottons can be combined to make thicker threads that work on a wide variety of mesh sizes. You can also mix matte cottons with shinier cottons or silk to provide a subtle and interesting contrast to any needlepoint project.
Tags: Textures and Effects
Posted in Threads and Fibers | No Comments »
June 28th, 2010
So which type of needlepoint canvas is right for you? It all depends on the person and their personal preferences. One of the three types of needlepoint may be more suitable for an individual depending on their level of experience and or interest in needlepoint. When purchasing a needlepoint canvas there are several available options, deciding what to needlepoint and the design is important.
There are three basic designs for needlepoint; lines drawn design, charted needlepoint design and a painted needlepoint canvas. A line drawn design is where the basic outline of the design is drawn on the canvas with a waterproof pen and normally comes with instructions. The instruction will give direction on where to place the stitches and suggest types of colors and threads. A charted needlepoint design is similar to cross stitch but the design is drawn out or charted on graph paper giving you a designated starting point. Just like the line drawn design, it will include instructions on stitch placement and thread suggestions. With a charted needlepoint, you will need to be able to follow a graph. A painted needlepoint canvas has the design drawn on the canvas or traced from a template painted with a fine brush. The design is painted with exact precision and placement of a single stitch and is easily determined by looking at the design. A painted needlepoint canvas doesn’t come with suggestions for stitching or threads, unless it comes as a needlepoint kit. The decision is basically all up to the individual on what type of canvas they like working with best.
Tags: A painted needlepoint canvas
Posted in Painted Canvas | No Comments »
June 25th, 2010
Needlepoint is great to do while at home relaxing. It’s a great way to show your artistic side and you can get so much pride in completing a project. Sometimes doing a lot of needle work can be hard on your eyes, in those cases make sure that you have good lighting. You can find many top brands of lighting and magnifiers that will help you out if you are staining you eyes.
Having good lighting is very important while doing needlepoint. You can find many different types of bulbs at your local craft store that offer true-color daylight and ott-lite. These types of lighting will put less stress on your eyes. You may also want to try a pair of bifocals as another great tool while doing needlepoint instead of using a magnifier. If you often work on projects with a higher count fabric, you may want to get a pair of glasses specially made up for just this. You will also be able to use them while watching TV. When you get your glasses fabricated be sure to let them know you want a flat-top or straight top bifocal, this type of lens is best in a small frame. You may want to let the person doing the fitting know that these are for fine needlework and that the bifocal line should be at the margin of your lower lid. Be sure not to get an expensive frame, after all who will be seeing them? These glasses will sure make a difference while you stitch.
Tags: Home relaxing
Posted in Therapeutic and Relaxing | No Comments »
June 24th, 2010
Why take up needlepoint you ask? Well, it is a craft that has been around throughout the ages and is a good skill to teach children. Besides being a great skill to learn, it keeps your mind sharp and hands nimble. By learning needlepoint this gives you the opportunity to make one of kind gifts for family and friends all while relaxing and de-stressing. These days of fast internet communications, needlepoint may seem like relic but in fact it is as relevant today as it was in colonial times. People today needlepoint for many different reasons but one reason for sure, is for the love for the craft.
Needlepoint gives us the ability to record what is important to us in a visual manner. Needlepoint is very relaxing for many people and at the same time allows them to create something beautiful. Everyone has the ability to create magic with their hands through needlepoint. Think of all the beautiful things that can be made with needlepoint using threads of color, you can create magic right before your eyes with your very own hands. Needlepoint is pleasing to the mind and soul, what better way to get away, by creating something beautiful. Needlepoint is a skill that can be used throughout your life. It’s convenient to do almost anywhere; it can be done in a car while traveling or on a plane. Why, not give needlepoint a try, I am sure you will be amazed at the endless, possibilities of needlepoint.
Tags: Why take up needlepoint you ask?
Posted in Modern Neddlepoint | No Comments »
June 23rd, 2010
Over the years needlework has been able to stand the test of time and is still around. Today there are more and more people wanting to learn how to needlepoint. There are all kinds of people and ages that enjoy needlepoint, today. It is easier today to find out all the latest on needlepoint and to share your thoughts or get answers to any of your questions regarding needlepoint.
Thanks, to the internet you can meet, talk and share your ideas with needlepoint enthusiasts from around the world, something that was not possible in the past. There are many groups from around the world who share needlepoint news and events. You can also find classes and instructors and much, much more. It doesn’t matter if you are new to needlepoint or if you have been stitching for years, there is a place for you in the needlepoint community. There are forums where you can post questions or just share your thoughts or even help someone else by making suggestions. No matter what your skill level you will be able to find a place for you in the needlepoint community. Internet forums are the best places to post questions or to share with others what you have been working on. The forums are a new way to make new friends and for us all to share information. The internet is also a good way to find local classes or look for needlepoint shops/boutiques.
Tags: Shops/Boutiques
Posted in Modern Neddlepoint | No Comments »
June 22nd, 2010
Needlepoint has come a long way. Needlework has been around almost as long as clothing. The Western culture tends to think that needlework is solely for women, but originally it was a task performed by men who spent years mastering the craft. There have been many changes in needlework; changes in designs and technique which often reflect the styles and attitudes of an era. Needlework is actually an art form that has been handed down from generation to generation. The most durable of all designs are needlepoint designs; they are the most durable than any other types of needlecrafts, making them especially suited for chair seats, pillow and rugs.
Most needlepoint designs are printed or painted on a canvas. The colors on the canvas represents a yarn or thread color. Using a blunt tapestry needle the stitcher covers each area on the canvas with the corresponding yarn or thread color. Some designs are stitched on a blank canvas by counting from a pattern or chart. There are many stitches used in needlepoint but the most common of the stitch is called a “continental stitch” or is also known as a “tent stitch”. In the 70’s The American Needlepoint Guild (ANG) was started and so that they can encourage the appreciation and practice of needlepoint as an art. Over the past years there has been a resurgence in the interest of needlepoint and for good reason, needlepoint is easy and rewarding to learn, and gives you the ability to make unique and personal decorating projects for garments and the home.
Tags: Needlework
Posted in History of Needlepoint | No Comments »