Archive for May, 2010

Lighting

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Lighting is an important tool for many people, it’s important to have good lighting for pictures, reading books and for needlepoint. Good lighting is especially important for you to have in your workspace. It is especially important for the avid needle worker because your eyes are one of your most important tools. Having good lighting will reduce your eye strain. If you don’t have good natural lighting in your workspace you can purchase some good lighting for a fairly reasonable price.

There are a couple of types of lights that are extremely good for needlework. You can go with an Ott Light that can either sit in a heavy base on the table or you can go with a clamp style that clamps to the table. Or you can get a decorative style ott light if you do your needlework in your living room. The ott light gives off a blue-ish bright glow but they are very good for stitching under. You can find the ott lights at many of your craft or needlework stores. If you prefer, you can go with a good “true light” or a “day light” fluorescent light bulb which are sold at your local hardware store. When looking for lighting is sure to purchase bulbs that are full spectrum lights. Do not use broad spectrum lights that are sold in your local office supply store because those are not the same as the full spectrum lights so ld in needlework stores and they may give off too much heat.

“old fashioned”

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

No longer are the days of doing needlepoint of so called “old fashioned” designs. Today there are many modern designs that you can purchase, you can even buy painted canvas as well. The only problem is that some people find it difficult using those painted canvases especially if they mass-produced kits. What’s better than buying an already pre-painted needlepoint canvas; making your own painted needlepoint canvas.

If you have a creative mind and you have a vision for your own needlepoint design, you can now make your own painted canvas. So, if you have some great ideas or if you have colors that you want to work with put them down on paper and let your ideas flow. Painting your own canvas is fairly easy and is a great alternative to badly-painted kits. It’s as easy as following a few basic guidelines. With some water-proof paint, acrylic paint and with some synthetic brushes you can get started making your own masterpiece. Painting your own needlepoint canvas might require a little practice before you will achieve perfect results, but it is very easy to learn. Making your own painting designs onto needlepoint canvases will give you a truly unique product to stitch. All you need is a little time and creativity. In no time you will be able to make your own unique gifts with that add personal touch. Don’t be shy and keep an open mind when making your designs. Don’t be nervous about your designs it will all come together. Just have fun!

A challenge

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

A lot of needlepoint stitching involves how to figure out the best way to stitch a repeating design. Many times borders or repeating design elements use three or more repeating colors and this can involve a lot of tying off and starting again. But if you are willing and ready for a challenge, I will tell you how you can avoid tying off or dragging threads across the canvas. There is a trick but you have to be willing to have a few needles going at once.

The stitch to master is the continental stitch; this stitch covers the canvas but also tends to distort it, if you are not careful. The continental stitch works especially well for working in smaller areas. You will need to thread a needle with each of the repeating colors (if there are three repeating colors then you will need to thread three needles with one of the colors on each needle). By using this needlepoint stitching technique you will be dragging across the back of the canvas with each color change. Eventually the threads that were dragged will be covered up by the stitches that are created afterwards. Don’t worry because the back of the canvas will actually look nice and neat. The continental stitch is a much faster way of stitching a repeated pattern and you will be spending less time tying off by keeping two or more needles on the go. Which means you will have more time enjoying and concentrating on the design.

A great stitch technique

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

Once you have mastered the basics of the starter kits of needlepoint, I am sure you will want to continue to master the art of pulling a needle, threaded with yarn through a canvas mess. When you continue onto bigger and more complex designs be sure to use good quality yarns and fibers. I am sure that you will love creating your own gorgeous, one-of-a-kind designs. By using good quality yarns and fibers you will get great results even on your first try.

There are many different ways to form basic needlepoint stitches and there are many needlepoint techniques you can use to make your stitching life easier. By mastering many of the techniques you will enhance your designs by adding new dimensions. One stitch that will make your stitching go faster is the Continuous Motion Stitch; it allows you to use a continuous motion stitch to stitch your canvas so you do not have to move your hand from front to back of the canvas. By using the continuous motion needlepoint stitch it will help you to stitch fast and efficient, instead of using the old stabbing motion. The continuous motion stitch method is especially good if you are not working on a frame because the continuous motion maintains an even tension. I do not recommend the continuous motion stitch if you have your canvas tacked to a frame because it will be difficult to perform and will be hard to maneuver. The continuous motion stitch is a much quicker way of stitching and is especially good if you want to finish a project quickly. This is a great stitch technique for you to learn.

New hobby

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Needlepoint has been around for centuries and for good reasons. If you are not familiar with needlepoint let me give you a brief description on what needlepoint is. Needlepoint is the art of pulling thread through an open-weave canvas. The most commonly used fibers are wool yarns and cotton floss, the open weave canvas typically used is starched cotton, so that way it is stiff but can later be washed and handles without damaging the finish work of art. I think that people categorize needlepoint as something “old ladies, do” but I can say from experience that, that is no longer the case. It is now being thought of as a creative outlet that people can use to get away from a stressful day.

Needlepoint will help you to get away from your everyday stress by helping you to focus on your craft. Needlepoint can also be found to be dually challenging and relaxing. Needlepoint is not just for gray-haired grannies passing the time but is now for young girls, women and can be beneficial for boys and men off all ages. Everyone can benefit from the therapeutic benefits of needlepoint. You get the benefits of relaxation and also get the creation of beauty; it all comes together through needlepoint. Stitching is a very calming activity that allows time for you to meditate. It also, helps one to relax and unwind after a stressful day. I highly recommend needlepoint to anyone who is looking for a way to de-stress or just looking for a new hobby.

Calmer and more pleasant

Friday, May 21st, 2010

When people think of needlepoint they usually think of it as something their grandma did. But that is no longer the case. Needlepoint is actually growing every year. It is no longer entrenched in English country cottages and various dog breeds but now you can find more contemporary modern designs. There is no doubt that the traditional classic floral designs are still available but now there is something for everyone. Needlepoint has endured through the centuries and for good reason, there is clearly nothing calmer and more pleasant to do to help you pass time.

If you really think about what happens when you needlepoint then you too will understand the therapeutic benefits that needlepoint has to offer. Needlepoint is very therapeutic because of the way it helps you to focus. While you are focusing on the beautiful design that you are making, you are at the same time de-stressing your life. It is almost a form of meditation by giving you something beautiful to focus on and removes you from your daily worries. Needlepoint will also keep your mind sharp by assisting your brain with math skills and special concepts. Working a needle will also keep your fingers nimble, which can be very important to elderly fingers. You will see that once you start a project you will not be able to put the needle down. Needlepoint is something everyone should try not only for the beautiful things that you can make but also for the de-stressing benefits it has to offer. Clearly there is more to needlepoint that meets the eye.

Needlepoint

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Needlepoint is for anyone whether you are young or old needlepoint is really easier than you would think. Needlepoint is fairly affordable and you will not break the bank with your new found hobby. Even if you are a beginner or someone who needs a little refresher a beginner needlepoint kits may be for you, they are not just for children! Children are capable of learning how to needlepoint, with some adult guidance, from about the ages of six or so. Large mesh canvases are easier for anyone to learn on. Needlepoint is good for everyone especially because it helps the young acquire math skills and helps others to keep the mind sharp with math skills and spatial concepts.

You will be able to find a beginner needlepoint kit to suit you. Kits come in all sorts of classic and modern designs and colors, you will be sure to find something to your liking. Each kit comes with a printed large canvas, wool yarn and “how-To” instructions. Once you have mastered the beginner kits you can move on to other types of canvas like plastic, mono, Penelope, interlock and rug. The easiest to start off with is the plastic canvas because it is stiff and is generally for smaller projects. A plastic canvas is an excellent way for a beginner to learn and practice different stitches. There are few basics to learn about needlepoint but once you familiarize yourself and practice you will soon be a pro.

Welcome to www.needlepointideas.com

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Welcome to my brand new blog. I think you will find everything you need and more on my new blog. I welcome all suggestions and comments. Check this site often as we grow and we will be adding all sorts of wonderful articles for our readers. I thank you all for visiting and look forward to any and all feedback. Thank you.