Official blog of www.NeedlePaint.com
where you can design your own Needlepoint!

NeedlePoint Kits and Canvas Designs | Design your own Needlepoint Kit!

Archive for the ‘Needlepoint’ Category

Egg-cellent Self-Finishing Needlepoint for Spring!

Explore our Chinoiserie Inspired Egg Canvases and an Easy Self-Finishing Technique

This Spring we are loving the combination of the classic Easter egg with blue and white chinoiserie!

We have several options from which to choose.  These needlepoint egg canvases are beautiful by themselves or stitched as a collection.

One of our favorite quick needlepoint self-finishing options is framing.  This is such a simple process.

First we stitch the main portion of our design.  Then we purchased a frame with a pre-cut mat at our local hobby shop. Open the back of the frame and remove the mat.  Place it on top of your stitched ornament upside down so you don’t accidentally put a mark on the front.

Carefully mark all four corners of the inside of the mat board on the canvas. Remove the mat board and now you can see the area you will need to fill with your background stitch.  Select a color and stitch you like and complete your project. We used Nobuko stitch and DMC Perle Cotton 5 in 906 for a grass-like look.

If you did not stitch on stretcher bars you might need to block your canvas to get it straight before framing.  Cut a piece of art board or mat board to fit inside the frame.  If you don’t want to measure you can pop out the glass and trace it.  Trim your completed canvas with an inch border around the stitched area.  Using acid free art tape, affix the canvas to the art board by taping the unstitched border of the canvas to the art board.  Use a little tension to make sure the canvas will lay flat. Reassemble your frame with the mat and now you have a beautiful framed piece of needlepoint art for your home!


Happy Spring and Happy Stitching!

Treasures brought in by the tide — a Needlepoint Seashell Collection!

A day at the beach is special: the smell of salty air, a ray of warm sunshine, a gentle ocean breeze, the perfect picnic lunch, and the joy of leaving your foot prints in the warm sand!

Brought in by the waves and tides, special treasures wash ashore and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. All interesting in their own special way; and very much like snowflakes . . . . no two seashells are alike. Complete with a variety of shells, coral, sand dollars, and starfish, NeedlePaint has created a new collection of seashell canvases for your stitching enjoyment!

Now available on our NeedlePaint website, we do offer finishing services for your completed needlepoint canvases.

 

2027131227804535

Warm sand between your toes!
Seashell Needlepoint Belt Canvas
Your belt size (3″ larger than your pant size) x 1.22″ on 18 mesh canvas. 
Finishing service for belt canvases: are backed with top grain leather in a
variety of color options and a brass or silver tone buckle.

20281312284241403

The perfect gentle ocean breeze!
Seashell Needlepoint Wallet Canvas
8.67″ x 3.17″ on 18 mesh canvas.
Finishing service for wallet canvases: 4.25 inches x 3.15 inches x 0.6 inches
thick when closed. There are 4 credit card slots,
2 hidden slots, and two full length bill sections.

20261312262127934

Beachcombing for special treasures!
Seashell Needlepoint Pillow Canvas
12″ x 12″ on 14 mesh canvas.
Finishing service for pillow canvases: we have several velvet color
options for the backing and optional piping.

20271312275381449

The fresh smell of salty air!
Seashell Needlepoint Flask Canvas
9″ x 3.78″ on 18 mesh canvas
Finishing services for flask canvases: this is a 5 ounce steel flask,
4.5″ wide x 4″ tall x 1.25″ depth,
with a leather wrap on top, bottom and one side.

20291312293698609

A warm ray of sunshine!
Seashell Needlepoint Key Fob Canvas
8″ long looped around x 1.1″ on 18 mesh canvas
Finishing services for key fobs: are backed with top grain leather
in a variety of color options and a silver tone ring.

Each of these products are perfect for men or women, and available as needlepoint canvases to stitch, or as fully finished products. We would love to help you with all of your needlepoint needs! Feel free to contact us with questions at: info@needlepaint.com

CoronaVirus Needlepoint Update

Hi all, I hope you’re staying safe!

Needlepointers have been posting lots of funny messages on the Needlepoint Nation Facebook page, if you are not a member yet, you should join!

On the serious side, here at NeedlePaint, we’ve been working on being safe so we can remain open and help design custom needlepoint canvases for you.  Luckily our customer service and design teams are able to work from home, and we’ve changed our production schedule so that only 1 person is in the workshop (Thanks Lyndse!).

We know that a lot of you are spending more time at home than you are used to, and having a hobby is a great way to be productive and make the best of it.  We’ve stocked up on supplies and are ready to make your needlepoint canvases.

This week, we’ve designed something not only fun to look at but useful in days and years to come.  Parents are already used to saying this, but a reminder on your bathroom wall would look great.  Even more important these days, is to wash your hands every time you enter your house after being outside of your property.  So maybe at the front door 🙂  Years from now when coronavirus is hopefully a distant memory, you will have a hand made remembrance of your time at home.

Please remember, staying isolated and helping slow the spread of the virus is the best thing we can all be doing.  Sometimes it is the small things that can make a big difference.

 

Wash Your Hands Handprints Needlepoint Canvas

Clean Your Hands Needlepoint Canvas

 

Wash Your Hands Keep Calm Needlepoint

Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands Needlepoint Canvas

 

Wash Your Hands Needlepoint

Wash Your Hands Needlepoint Canvas

 

Family Crests NeedlePaint Style!

Today, it’s quite popular for individuals to research their family history. Only to discover that their “last name” was once represented with a family crest, used to identify their family. We’ve designed several NeedlePaint canvases that you can stitch, to celebrate your family name. 

Your crest will be modified to our design, featuring the knights helmet, shield and scroll with your family name. The colors and design will match your crest, and the ornament on the helmet will be changed to match, too. Not sure what your family crest looks like? We would be happy to help do the research for you.

 

NeedlePaint family crest pillow

Our Family Crest needlepoint pillow canvases, are customizable with your choice of overall canvas size, mesh size, and thread options of DMC embroidery floss or Waverly wool.

NeedlePaint family crest flask 1.4        NeedlePaint family crest flask 1.4-2

Let us create a custom family crest flask canvas for you to stitch, for that special family member on your gift list! 

 

2039281239970554

Decorate your holiday tree, by stitching several family crest ornaments including each of the historic crests that make up your family.

 

.Family Crest Belt 1.5

Family Crest Needlepoint Belt 2

Stitch a special belt canvas with your family crest! Although a belt canvas isn’t quite as tall as what an entire crest design might require, we can use the center shield or even individual elements from the original crest for your design. 

 

Family Crest needlepoint wallet

Create a one of a kind family crest wallet, by stitching your family crest on the front, and your family name on the back.

 

Don’t have a traditional family crest associated with your last name. Why not let us invent one for you? Our designers can create a crest from scratch, specific to your families interests, hobbies, sports, pets, philosophy or religion.

Ask us about our finishing services for pillow, flask, ornament, belt and wallet canvases. We also can stitch and finish any of our family crest needlepoint products for you, just let us know. Please send us a note at info@needlepaint.com, we would be happy to help you with your family crest project.

Happy Stitching!

 

 

 

 

 

New Self-Finishing Products For Your NeedlePaint Canvases!

It’s a great time of year to start some new needlepoint projects! NeedlePaint.com is excited to offer new self-finishing kits which are the perfect size for traveling with; to stitch while waiting (let’s face it, we are always waiting for someone), or to get a jump start on those Christmas gifts for everyone on your list. Here are just two examples of our new self-finishing kits among the many that we offer.

NeedlePaint self finishing card wallet

NeedlePaint Loon card wallet

Self finishing card wallet kit!

Stitch your own needlepoint card wallet canvas, for your credit cards, license, or business cards. This is a complete, self finishing do-it-yourself kit, including: a needlepoint canvas for you to stitch, DMC thread (optional) and a colorful leather wallet. (Color choices: black, brown, red, blue, lime)

NeedlePaint self finishing card wallet colorsSimply insert your stitched canvas into the card wallet and your ready to go.

Two design options to choose from when planning your card wallet canvas insert:

Choose a monogram, initials, or we’ll create a custom design just for you:

Great gift idea!

NeedlePaint self finishing luggage tag 1

NeedlePaint luggage tag canvasesNeedlePaint self finishing luggage tag colors

Self finishing luggage tag kit!

Stitch your own needlepoint luggage tag canvas, and create a finished luggage tag for yourself or the traveler in your family.

This is a complete, self finishing do-it-yourself kit, including: a needlepoint canvas for you to stitch, DMC thread (optional) and a colorful leather luggage tag. (Color choices: blue, lime, black, red, light blue or pink)

Two design options to choose from when planning your luggage tag canvas insert:

Choose a monogram, initials, or we’ll create a custom design just for you:

Great for the traveler!

Check out all of our self-finishing kits on our Etsy shop. Card wallets, luggage tags, checkbook covers, iPad covers, purses of all sizes, Christmas ornaments, coin purses, and more!

Remember we are here to help with all of your needlepointing needs. Feel free to contact us with any of your questions at info@needlepaint.com

Happy Stitching!

How To Stitch A Needlepoint Belt Canvas

By Peggy Bond

So you have a 5-inch wide by yard long printed needlepoint canvas for a belt. Where do we go now? To a split rail scroll frame which will keep your canvas relatively square while allowing you to access sections of the canvas without having to remove and reposition it.

The F.A. Edmunds 6” x 12” scroll frame is a great option. 

Before putting the canvas in the scroll frame, create “end stops” along the short sides of the canvas. The end stop is made with a doubled length of thread (i.e., 12 strands of floss or 2 strands of wool). First, do running stitches along one row as shown below. Then stitch over that row with a 2 x 2 Continental stitch. The end stops will prevent the canvas from slipping through the slotted dowel rod of the frame.

End Stop

End Stop Diagram

The narrow ends of the canvas are slid into the slotted dowel rods and should go all the way against the end of the slot. Insert the dowel rods into the frame’s spreader rails as shown below. The spreader rails should be flush with the edges of the belt canvas to reduce warping the canvas while stitching. 

In the Frame

Even when the rails’ wing nuts are not tight, the end stops should not be able to be pulled through the dowels and the frame should be a rectangle. The dowels can be turned to roll the canvas as it is worked. After positioning the canvas to a section for stitching, tighten the wing nuts on the rails.

Read to stitch

Where to start the stitching and in what order to do it is a personal choice. Personally, I prefer to stitch all of the images before attacking the background. There is no reason why images and elements can’t be done together as the canvas is wound on the dowels. The only thing to remember is not to stop the background stitches at the same vertical spot on each row.

Belts are most frequently stitched with the Tent stitches. For the belt shown below, the Continental and Half Cross Tent stitches were used for the images and lettering, and for filling in where the background stitch couldn’t fill. The background stitch is the Upright Cross. 

CTF Belt Section

Look for our future post on background stitches.

Here at NeedlePaint, we have a large assortment of needlepoint belt canvases we know you will love stitching!

Paddle Your Way To Our Handsome New NeedlePaint Projects!

Are you a paddle enthusiast? Whether it be paddling around a quiet lake, or perhaps you prefer letting someone else do the hard work while you dip your toes in the water? Here at NeedlePaint, we have designed a new collection of needlepoint canvases featuring some very handsome and colorful paddles. Our needlepoint pillow, flask, wallet and belt are all available as needlepoint canvases for you to stitch, or if you prefer we’ll do the stitching for you. Remember, when you’re finished stitching your needlepoint canvas, we are here to help you with our needlepoint finishing services.

Preppy Paddle Needlepoint Pillow

Our Preppy Paddle needlepoint pillow canvas will look great in your home, summer home or cabin. When you have completed stitching this needlepoint pillow canvas, we would be happy to help you turn your canvas into a pillow, with our pillow finishing service

“Exploration and Recreation” — Needlepointing and paddling are both great activities. Whether your exploring a new stitch or taking a new direction on the lake . . . . quietly stitching a new needlepoint canvas, and paddling through nature, are both relaxing activities you’ll be sure to enjoy.

Preppy Paddle Needlepoint Flask

Our Preppy Paddle needlepoint flask canvas, will be the perfect accessory to stitch for yourself or as a unique gift idea. After stitching your needlepoint flask canvas, we do offer a flask finishing service complete with leather and a metal flask. Don’t forget to slip this new flask into your picnic basket on the next rowing adventure!

“Tranquility at its finest” — Stitching a needlepoint canvas, creates a tranquil “zen like” feeling, similar to slowly paddling and gliding through the water of a crystal clear lake. Notice the intense colors of the thread, or the vivid colors in nature, not to mention the quiet and subtle sounds of both activities (or lack there of) can be oh, so soothing.

Preppy Paddle Needlepoint Wallet

You’ve spent the day fishing among the beauty of nature, but still haven’t caught any fish? Not to worry, there is a grocery store down at the base of the mountain. Simply pull out your new Preppy Paddle needlepoint wallet and pay for those little beauties, no one will be the wiser. After stitching your Preppy Paddle needlepoint wallet canvas, we do offer a wallet leather finishing service to turn your beautiful stitched canvas into a wallet.

Preppy Paddle Needlepoint Belt Canvas

You’ll look great on your boat wearing this belt! Our Preppy Paddle needlepoint belt canvas is the perfect project to stitch for the paddle enthusiast or for yourself. When you have completed stitching this needlepoint belt canvas, we would be happy to help you finish your belt, with our belt leather finishing service. 

Remember we are here to help you with all of your needlepoint needs! Whether it be providing you with a canvas to stitch, a finished product or to complete your stitch canvas with our finishing services. Feel free to contact us with any of your questions at: info@needlepaint.com.

Happy Stitching!

Great Gift Ideas for Grandparents

Giving is a two way street.  Grandparents give so much, and it is often hard to find the perfect gift for them.  If you’re looking for more ideas (and you probably are if you’re reading this) then we’ve got some really unique ideas!

First, is a Custom Needlepoint Belt (we can do for women or men).  Below is a project we recently made.  Front and center, you guessed it, the grand kids!

Image of Grandparents Custom Needlepoint Belt Featuring the Grandkids

Grandparents Custom Needlepoint Belt Featuring the Grandkids

In case you are wondering, this design also features an X ray of a knee (the recipient is a knee doctor), a family crest, scuba diver (cut off), and on the lower left is a fishing boat (cut off) and an image of their hometown (Sarasota, FL).

If you’re looking for something fun for the home, we have our Grandkids Names Needlepoint Pillow.

Image of Grandkids' Names Needlepoint Pillow

Grandkids’ Names Needlepoint Pillow

If you are looking for a belt totally dedicated to the grand kids, check out the BopPop belt!  We call it Grandpa’s Needlepoint Belt, and it is a totally custom project.  Send up pictures of the kids and Grandpa along with his favorite name, and we’ll help create a new family treasure, sure to be worn at all family events.

Image of Grandpa's Needlepoint Belt

Grandpa’s Needlepoint Belt

If you’re looking for more ideas, or can’t find something perfect anywhere, let us know!  NeedlePaint specializes in designing and creating custom projects and we’d love to help.

“There’s No Place Like Home” With NeedlePaint’s New Compass Rose Needlepoint Pillow

Ah, the places you’ll visit, the places you’ll see . . . . but when the trips over, where will you be?  

You like to travel, explore new places, and see new things. You also love returning to the place, where you can hang your hat, when the adventure is over. When back at home, the dust has settled and your bags are unpacked. Now it’s time to cozy in and stitch NeedlePaint‘s new Compass Rose needlepoint pillow canvas. This design is available as a needlepoint canvas for you to stitch, or as a fully finished needlepoint pillow.

1850202504853342

This compass rose design, represents the place you call “Home Sweet Home”. Personalize it with your family name and city, along with your latitude and longitude location. We can also change the colors to match any decor. 

There is comfort in where you live, a special spot you can call your own. A place where you can stop the hustle and bustle of everyday life: do “nothing” (if that’s an option), carve out some time to think, regroup, recharge, dream about plans for the next adventure, and do a little needlepointing.  

“There’s no place like home” . . . . happy stitching!

Nine Ladies Dancing and Ten Lords A-Leaping Christmas Needlepoint

By: Peggy Bond

Day 9, Nine Ladies Dancing

The Dancing Lady is stitched with 9 traditional stitches, none of which require explanation.

Nine Ladies Dancing Christmas Needlepoint

Nine Ladies Dancing Christmas Needlepoint

Day 9 Blog

Let her smile keep you happy while stitching.

 

Day 10, Ten Lords A-Leaping

The leaping lord has a few different twists. His hair is done in French knots with 3 twists per stitch. It took me a couple of tries to get them correctly placed to give him a full head of hair. Not noted on the diagram is that the flower and leaves are done in Continental and the center of the flower is another French knot. 

Ten Lords A-Leaping Christmas Needlepoint

Ten Lords A-Leaping Christmas Needlepoint

Day 10 Blog