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.
Tags: a little creativity
Posted in Embellishments | No Comments »
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.
Tags: Michael’s or Hobby Lobby
Posted in Finishing | No Comments »
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.
Tags: additional materials
Posted in Finishing | No Comments »
June 16th, 2010
So, you finished your needlepoint project and you just love it but it’s not exactly in a perfect shape. Now what do you do? All your hard work and time doesn’t have to be a wasted, you can save your warped canvas. Straightening out the warped canvas is not as difficult as you may think. The quickest and most efficient way to reshape a finished piece of needlepoint is to pin it to a blocking board.
You can find a blocking board at your local craft store or needlepoint store, it is a lightweight, pin-able board that is covered with a printed grid of squares on the fabric. The grid is used as a guide for squaring the canvas during the blocking process. You will also need to have heavy duty rust proof T-pins, a spray bottle that contains clean room temperature water and a steam iron. Be sure, to remove any masking tape that may have been used to bind the edges of the canvas. When spraying the canvas, make sure not to overdo it, the canvas should be slightly dampened, only. Let the canvas stand for at least 5-10 minutes to let the fibers relax. Then reshape your piece slightly by tugging on the corners and sides of the canvas to obtain your desired shape and size, be sure to use the grid lines as your guide to square the canvas. Pins should be placed no less than an inch apart and should be placed far in enough to hold the canvas securely in place. Leave for several days allowing the canvas to dry completely before removing any pins.
Tags: Now what do you do?
Posted in Stretcher Bars | No Comments »
June 15th, 2010
Needlepoint is not difficult and the tools are fairly easy to work with, the only thing you need to worry about is making sure you get the correct type of needle for the threads and material you will be using. When selecting the correct type of needlework needles you have to keep in mind your ultimate goal and the types of embellishments you will be using. Needlepoint needles are designed to pull yarn through one of several types of open-weave canvases, these needles come in a range of sizes from the heavy #13 to the tine #26, and needles for needlepoint have large eyes and a blunt point and are designed especially for the tasks of needlepoint. These needles are easy to thread and have little danger of piercing or damaging the canvas threads. The needles are sized to fit the smaller holes of Penelope canvases as well as the larger holes of a rug canvas and are different from crewel or embroidery needles. There are all sorts of needles for different uses so, be sure to use needles specifically for needlepoint.
When working with beads and sequins and depending on your particular project beads can be attached to each other only or to a cloth, using a needle and some kind of thread, wire or elastic. Beading needles may be pointed or ball pointed and can either be straight or curved. Depending on the size of the beads and the thread you will be using will help determine the size of the needle to use.
Tags: Crewel or Embroidery needles
Posted in Types of Needles | No Comments »
June 14th, 2010
So, you would like to take up a needlepoint class but think it’s not for you. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or have been doing needlepoint for years, a class can help anyone to improve their technique and get great ideas for their next project. You can find a wide range of available classes for beginners to enhancement workshops for the experienced. By expanding your stitching knowledge you are opening the door to a whole new world of creativity.
The beginner classes are a great way for an individual who has wanted to start needlepoint but have no idea on how to start or what tools they will need. In a beginner class they will teach you the most basic needlepoint stitch/stitches and the class fee usually includes a painted canvas, threads, project sheets and professional instructions along with help or assistance from an experienced instructor in needlepoint. No prior experience in needlepoint is needed and the class duration is usually an hour or so, once a week. Enhancement workshops will help individuals to spice up their projects and to learn new stitches. Enhancement classes will help you to explore your artistic side and open your eyes to the beauty that you can create with stitches and fibers. A person attending an intermediate class should know the basic stitches because they will teach you advanced stitching techniques and ways to embellish your projects. These are fun classes to go to and give you the opportunity to meet others who enjoy needlepoint as much as you do.
Tags: available classes
Posted in Classes | No Comments »
June 11th, 2010
So you completed your last stitch and your finished project is better than you expected. Now your project is ready for blocking and framing. You don’t have to take your project to a professional; you can frame your own finished needlepoint piece using the appropriate materials and preservation techniques. A well done framing and blocking job will preserve your needlepoint for generations.
The first step to preserving your piece is to wash your needlepoint in a gentle quilt wash and rinse it off well. Then you want to block and pin the needlepoint piece in the desired finished size on soft wood boards or you can use a hollow core door. Be sure to square the corners neatly and smooth out any wrinkles. By pulling firmly you will get the desired shape, eliminating any distortion. Start by pinning the center of one side and working your way around. The canvas should be firmly secure then allow to fully dry. Determine the size of your finished frame by measuring the blocked needlepoint. Larger needlepoint pieces should be on a stretcher bars, smaller pieces on acid- free foam core board. Starting in the center of one side, work towards the center of the other side stapling your needlepoint to the stretcher bar working your way to the other sides. Lace the needlepoint around the foam core backing using heavy thread and needle to lace. Then place the foam core backed or stretched canvas into the frame and secure with glaziers points to finish framing then attach a hanger to the back of your frame.
Tags: blocking and framing
Posted in Finishing | No Comments »
June 10th, 2010
Needlepoint canvases are composed of a thread grid of many smaller squares. Canvases for needlepoint can be purchased at most large fabric suppliers. In needlepoint there are many stitching types and the names may vary from one source to another. One of my favorite stitches is the gobelin stitch it has many variations of its own. The gobelin stitch is a classic form that can be effective in covering large areas quickly. The gobelin makes a solid backing stitch and is suitable for beginners as well as the intermediate crafter.
The gobelin stitch is a very versatile stitch. It can be worked vertically, horizontally and diagonally and is very easy once you get the hang of doing the stitch. The gobelin stitch can be used in all areas; it can be used in small areas where you want a smoother texture than a basketweave. It is also a great stitch to use for borders and if you lay the thread correctly you can obtain an even finish. The stitch can be any length as long as it crosses at least two canvas threads. The gobelin stitch has a rich texture and works best when worked as a filling stitch in areas that you would like to see stand out on your canvas. The bulk of the stitch sits on the front side and is relatively flat on the backside. In needlepoint there are many stitches and options to use and you will find the more you practice the better you will become at mastering any of the stitches in needlepoint.
Tags: The gobelin
Posted in Types of Stitches | No Comments »
June 9th, 2010
When doing needlepoint a frame is an essential tool of the trade. It is always better to work your needlepoint on a stretcher bar or a frame which can be mounted on a stand. By using a stretcher bar or frame it will make you virtually hands free and keeps your project from warping and stretching. It will also keep the canvases a lot cleaner because you will be handling them less.
There are many types of floor stands but my favorite floor stand is made by the Frank A. Edmunds Company because their stands are so versatile and they make different types of frames that are interchangeable with the stand. This is very useful if you have other crafts like quilting, hook rugs and embroidery. Frames that are used in needlepoint are referred to a scroll frames and stretchers frames. There are many types of frames and it all depends on your liking on what makes you most comfortable while doing your project. The company also makes a variety of lap frames as well, which are perfect for the individual on the go. If you are unsure on how to use your frame there are many websites that you can turn to for tutorials and there are many web sites that will help you to locate the right frame for you at reasonable prices. So, it all about your preference and what is easier for you to work with.
Tags: stretcher bar or frame
Posted in Stretcher Bars | No Comments »
June 8th, 2010
Needlepoint is a fun, classic craft that when done correctly can produce some wonderful works of art from fabric and thread. Many times an inexperienced crafter may have confusion about what exactly is needlepoint and how it is different from other crafts like cross stitching and embroidery. Just because you use fabric, thread and a need doesn’t mean that needlepoint and embroidery are the same, in fact they are different and embroidery doesn’t have much to do at all with needlepoint.
Embroidery is done on plain fabric and is done most often done by freehand. With embroidery the stitches like the blanket stitch, outline stitch, running stitch and chain stitch are all combined with decorative knots to make designs. Cross stitching and needlepoint are a little more difficult to distinguish apart. Yes, they both use fabric/canvases that have little holes but in cross stitching the stitches are formed by making an x across the squares to make a pattern. Different stitches are used for cross stitching and the designs for needlepoint fill up the entire fabric while cross stitching may be a larger or smaller but always have blank canvases. There are many great stitches to use in needlepoint. You can find a lot of great websites for you to find a wealth of information on needlepoint and you can get lots of inspiration and ideas .
Tags: classic craft
Posted in Introduction to Needlepoint | No Comments »