Archive for June, 2010

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Problems and Opportunities

Wednesday, 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.

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Textures and Effects

Tuesday, 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.

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A painted needlepoint canvas

Monday, 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.

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Home relaxing

Friday, 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.

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Why take up needlepoint you ask?

Thursday, 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.

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Shops/Boutiques

Wednesday, 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.

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Needlework

Tuesday, 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.

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A little creativity

Monday, June 21st, 2010

There are many ways to dress up a canvas for a pillow or a stand up piece. Don’t limit yourself to just using the same old tassels. You can make pillows that are contemporary and modern to fit in anyone’s décor. There are really many things that you can use to dress up pillows to make them look exciting; all you need is a little creativity. You can get many new ideas from visiting your local store or internet for tons of new ideas.

Some ways you can dress up a boxed pillow is with a rouched gusset or by adding a custom cord along the edges for a unique touch. There are so many other things you can do with pillows like making an inset pillow with a contrasting welt or adding custom fringe to the corners or along the edges of a pillow. Some of my other favorite types of pillows are pillows wrap around pillows with pleated fringe or pillows with multiple insets with contrasting fringe. The possibilities are endless when using multiple insets because you can play with the fabrics and textures to compliment your needlepoint piece. There are so many embellishments to add to your needlework or pillow to make them a one of kind piece. Just open the door to your artistic side and don’t be afraid to play with fringes, cording and trims to make that needlepoint project uniquely yours.

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Michael’s or Hobby Lobby

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Framing your needlepoint is easy and simple; you can do it yourself or have a little help from your local craft store like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. All you need is a frame, an acid free foam core board, glazing points, nickel plated pins, masking tape, double sided tape, brown backing paper and Hanging hardware.

The easiest way to custom size your project is to buy a custom frame from your local craft store like Michaels or Hobby Lobby, they usually offer a 50% off coupon weekly on any custom framing. You do not necessarily need to have you’re project completely blocked, stretched or finished. But you will need to know the finished size of your canvas this way you are able to order the correct size frame. All you have to do is purchase the custom frame to use their coupon. The stores will go ahead and cut the foam core to size and add the framing points for you to fit the size of the frame. There may be a small fee if any for the acid free foam core board. If you decide to cover your framed piece with glass, be sure to ask for spacer tubes this way your piece will be able to breathe and any decorative embellishments will not be pressed against the glass. Once you take your custom frame home you can attached your needlepoint to the board with the pins and tape. Framing your canvases is a great way to display your projects and to preserve them as a family heirloom.

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Additional materials

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Every needlepoint project that you do doesn’t always have to be a finished pillow. There are many more things that you can do to display your works of art. One of my most favorite ways to finish off a project is by making it into a zippered travel pouch or bag, this is a unique way to display your work and it is not difficult to do. The only additional materials that are needed are fabric, thread and a 10” zipper.

You can use two pieces of 11” X 11” fabric pieces and you can start by stitching the right side of the zipper along the top edge, be sure to us ½” seam for the zipper. Press the seam allowance and zipper tape towards the fabric. Top stitch along the fabric edge away from the zipper teeth, line the other side of the zipper and repeat for the other side, making sure to bar tack the end of the zipper before cutting off the excess zipper. Once the zipper has been attached turn it right side out and place the right sides of fabric together. Seam the remaining edges of the pouch. Use a seam to finish and strengthen the bag, using a double stitch to add extra durability. Once complete turn the bag right side out and press slightly, make sure not to use extreme heat on your needlepoint. You can make a personalized gift by making a monogram initial on one side of the bag or by embroidering a name or design. What a great one of a kind gift to give.

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