Nuts about Needlepoint » finishing

What Can I Do with a Belt Canvas?

Janet Perry — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:53:00 +0000

So you’ve decided to stitch a belt. Now you have to make some decisions about finishing it.

If you decide to finish it as a needlepoint belt, you have a couple of options, somewhat dependent on the waist size of the person wearing it. Most belt canvases are about 38″ long. If the belt needs to be longer than this, your only option is to make a traditional belt with leather ends. Several companies have information about how to prepare your belt canvas for this, including eHow, Needlepoint Belts, and others.

This is a specialized finishing service so you will need to have the leather end belts professionally done. Some companies who do this include Pinnell Custom Leather, Elizabeth Turner Collection, and Voila!. Voila offers many styles of belts beyond the leather tips and buckle. Go to your local shop to work with these companies.

ribbon belt from Old Navy

If you choose to finish the belt yourself, you will need to finish it like a ribbon belt (picture above). The raw ends of the needlepoint will need to be turned under and the belt should be stiffened with interfacing and lined with ribbon. Although the needlepoint is thicker than ribbon, the procedure for finishing is the same.

martha's vineyard needlepoint hat band

But what if you don’t want a belt? There are plenty of other things you can make from this long skinny canvas. To wear you could make a bracelet, headband, hat band, sandals, key fob, or a purse (Voila! has many creative ideas for this). You can turn it into a camera strap or a purse strap. For your home, why not do my favorite, making a band to decorate the top of a basket.

So what if it ends up being a “breakup belt?” You can still make it a stylish part of your life.

Bargello Pillows eBook Now Available

Janet Perry — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:25:27 +0000

Althea at Bargello Needlepoint has a new book out, Flawless Bargello Throw Pillows. It gives you step-by-step instructions, including planning worksheets, for making pillows covered in Bargello.

You’ll even learn how to finish them easily.

The book is in ebook format and is on special through July for $19.99.

You can order it here.

Bizzi Creations Box – Product Review

Janet Perry — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:58:11 +0000

Originally posted 2006-03-18 06:42:43. Republished by Blog Post PromoterBizzi Creations (http://www.bizzicreations.com/) has recently come out with a line of lovely wooden boxes. Because of their deep openings they work well for needlepoint. The boxes come in four sizes. 4×4 and 1.25 squares, 4×6 rectangles, and a rectangular box with three 1.25 squares. The boxes come in a variety of colors from classic (black and white). to bright (pink, yellow and lime), and new neutrals (dark blue and red). They are beautifully finished inside and out with finished particle board to hold the needlepoint in place. Unlike many other boxes on the market, the Bizzi Creations box includes a variety of items to insure your needlework looks perfect inside the box. Want to protect the needlework from spills? There’s a piece of glass included. Finishing thinner fabrics (like punchneedle or cross stitch) several pieces of cardboard are included to make a tight fit. From start to finish this box reflects thought, care, and quality. It’s one of the best around. Related posts:Patches’n Planks – Product Review Tapis-tree Bags – Product review Ashland Sky Bags – Product Review WhimZi Frames – Product Review Puffin & Company – Product Review Related posts:

Let’s Get . . . Finishing

Janet Perry — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:41:41 +0000

Originally posted 2009-05-04 10:24:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Finishing is often a problem for stitchers. Show me a stitcher and I’ll show you the boxes (yes, usually more than one) of stitched but not finished objects (anyone have a better name for these?).

I think I spend much of my life looking for things which can be finished easily. You probably do too. Here’s a round up of what I’ve found so far.

Finishing Items Product Reviews

Finishing Ideas

Square Pincushion
Bookmark (Needlepoint for Fun)
Finishing Ideas
Ideas to Finish Artists’ Trading Cards or other Small Items
Ornament Idea – Flags
Ornament or Stand-up

Finishing Articles

Think Before You Stitch and Stitching with a Mind towards Finishing – why the end result should be thought of early
Focus on Finishing – web site review
Tips for Finishing
Make your own Sew-in Labels
The Joys of Self-finishing
Ideas to Display Needlepoint
Last Minute Needlepoint Gifts
Finishing Resources – On-line and Off
Cheryl’s Needlework Finishing – Designer Profile

Finishing How To’s

Needlepoint Tote Bag
Mini-sock – link post to tutorial
Pillow – link post to tutorial
Twisted Cord – link post to tutorial

Blackwork Accessories Cyberclass Now Open

Janet Perry — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:05:31 +0000

One of three projects in this class

Explore the traditional needleart of Blackwork while making three charming accessories in my next cyberclass. Each project teaches you different types of patterns and techniques while creating small, useful items you can finish yourself.

The Change Purse, stitching pictured above, uses “crazy” patchwork to look at three types of Blackwork patterns. The Photo Album creates a variety of Blackwork borders in an unusual offset pattern. The Checkbook Cover looks at shading in Blackwork by filling patterns. The first, non-stitching lesson covers the history of Blackwork, basic techniques ans specialized tips for stitching blackwork when using overdyed threads.

Stitched on 18 count Aida or canvas using either solid or overdyed flower thread and a metallic, you can customize the project to suit your tastes. In addition to the projects, you’ll also learn about the history of Blackwork, how to choose threads for great results, and how to understand Blackwork charts and patterns. It’s a great introduction to this historic form of needlework.

The four lesson class is only $20. You can register by clicking on the button above. The class is held as part of Counted Wishes and begins August 1.

As a special bonus, attendees to the class will be able to buy my book, Blackwork Beauties as an ebook at a special price.

Pischke Pockets Has a Great Site

Janet Perry — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 14:22:35 +0000

Back during last month’s TNNA Round-ups, I told you about a great new product from Julie Pischke, Pischke Pockets. These are lovely striped totes with leather handles that have needlepoint pockets. Everything is complete in the kit and you can finish them yourself.

The coral above, Caribbean Spice, is just one of nine designs in the line.

I’m excited to let you know that there is a site devoted to the line. At Pischke Pockets you can learn more about the idea, find news and information and order the kits. There is even a page with instructions and a video on how to finish the bag once you’ve stitched the needlepoint.

This has just whetted my appetite to know more about them.

Last Minute Needlepoint for Gifts

Janet Perry — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:47:28 +0000

Originally posted 2007-12-12 07:39:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

It’s almost mid-December and, no matter what I do, panic sets in about Christmas gifts.

You’re probably like me and so I want to share with you some of my ideas for making quick needlepoint for gifts.

A small needlepoint box or picture frame is fun to do. One of my favorite sources for these are Raymond Crawford’ magnets. They are small (2″ square) and come in dozens of designs, so they work for anyone. I’ve made them as box tops for Romancing the Past’s boxes. You can also buy small frames for pictures and use them. Often you can’t find 2″ frames, only 2.5″. In that case add a border of Diagonal Gobelin around it to make the needlepoint fit.

Another fun idea is to make a needlepoint bookmark. You can buy charming blank or painted bookmarks already inset into Ultrasuede. The top is not sewn so you can get to the needlepoint. Then sew the edges to get a lovely finished piece.

Sometimes I have made glass paperweights as Christmas gifts. Yarn Tree makes a nice variety. You don’t need to stitch something fancy, even a geometric pattern or a Bargello design will look great.

The accessories from Lee’s Needle Arts and Needlepoint of Back Bay make lovely gifts (though more expensive). Why not stitch something for one fo their small items. I’ve given needlework coin purses often as gifts and now my thoughts have been going towards Needlepoint of Back Bay’s stunning Silk Dupionni jewel boxes. Sine these products have sticjy adhesive with them, you can finish them yourself.

Don’t overlook your local stores. With scrapbooking popular, you can often find albums which have openings in the front for photos. Often these can be used to hold needlepoint. But not every album works, you need to have certain characteristics. Look for an album which:

has an accessible hole (i.e. not covered in paper)
is thick enough to hold needlepoint
has a back like a frame or one which could be covered with decorative paper once the needlepoint is inserted

If you can’t find an album which works, you could always scan your needlepoint, make a high res print and insert that.

In my house, Christmas ornaments are the big thing. Two of my favorite ornament finished work great for last-mimute gifts. I like to use the largest size of Dritz button forms (2.5″ or size 100) to make round ornaments. I usually use Congress Cloth, make the design, cover the button form with sparkly fabric and then put the needlepoint over it.

Another great finish was used for the Four-Way Bargello ornament. This works with any diamond-shaped needlepoint.

Make a square around the diamond and cut it out about five canvas threads beyond it.
Fold that margin and then fold the corners of the square to the back so that they meet in the center.
Insert your hanger at one of the points.
Sew the edges of the canvas together on the back.
Glue on a pretty piece of Ultrasude to cover the unstitched canvas.

So happy stitching!

Rhodes Stitch Free Project

Janet Perry — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:19:35 +0000

Rhodes Stitch biscornu pincushion from Kincavel Krosses

The Rhodes Stitch (named for legendary stitcher Mary Rhodes) is a very flexible stitch. It can be any size. It can be any shape. It also attracts attention wherever you use it.

And for many stitchers learning to make Rhodes Stitches can be a problem. Kincavel Krosses has recently published this simply delightful Rhodes Stitch Biscournu. Designed to be done on fabric, it will give you lots of practice making squares and butterflies in Rhodes Stitches.

Imagine how great this would be in a multi-colored thread!

If you have never seen a biscornu, they are eight-sided pincushions often made from fabric. You can also make them from needlepoint. A lovely illustrated tutorial on making biscornu is at Own Two Hands. Another charming biscornu instruction site, with pictures of several biscornu is from Pretty Impressive Stuff.

Thanks to Denise from Craft Gossip for pointing this out.

Needlepoint Tote Bag from Finished Pieces in your Stash – 12 Days of Needlepoint Gifts

Janet Perry — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:41:45 +0000

Originally posted 2008-12-18 06:58:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

I know, you aren’t like me, you don’t have boxes of stitched but unfinished needlepoint sitting around your house.

You’re good, and every piece you stitch immediately gets finished into something.

Yeah. Right.

And I bet you never thought that one piece which languishes this way could never become the start of a gift so lovely, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this before.

Just about any needlepoint which is blocked so it’s square can quickly be made into an adorable tote bag with nothing more than a glue gun.

So now instead of stitching and finishing something, you can buy a ready-made tote bag at a local shop, invest in a glue gun (if you don’t have one) and make a gift.

Here’s what you need:
stitched and blocked square or rectangular needlepoint with 1″ canvas margins
low-temp glue gun
extra glue sticks
ready-made tote bag in fabric, straw or plastic
pencil or pen

Trim your needlepoint to a 1/2″ margin, Clip the corners along the diagonal so the bulk is reduced.

Plug in the glue gun. Usually these have short cords, so your work table will need to be close to an outlet.

Fold he margins so that they are turned to the back. Using the glue gun, work with on side of the needlepoint at a time and glue the margin to the back of the canvas. Hold it down briefly to make it stay.

Once this is finished, glue the needlepoint to one side of the bag. Test where you want the needlepoint to be and put marks with the pen or pencil, just inside the area to be placement guides.

Using the hot glue glue a side of the needlepoint and put it into place. Once the needlepoint is on the bag, you will need to shoot the glue between the bag and the needlepoint. I find this works best if I lay the bag flat on the table.

You may need to touch up the glue in spots to get a good seal.

Those of you who worry about heirloom quality are probably cringing right now, but shouldn’t needlepoint be fun sometimes, and shouldn’t we be able to use it without worrying about spoiling it?

The bag above is the first one I made using a pattern from Bargello Revisited and a plastic tote. I made another one this spring using another Bargello piece by Pat Mazu and a straw tote from Wal-mart.

BTW I was art my local Wal-mart yersterday and found in the small craft department packages of canvas bags, just for embellishing. There were two per package and some were natural canvas color and some were black. They were, I think, $5. With this, your needlepoint, some ribbon, and that trusty glue gun, you have it made.

And I’m planning on making lots more to use up that stash of projects in my closet.

Needlepoint Suede Boxes

Janet Perry — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:33:45 +0000

Originally posted 2003-03-03 07:22:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The more you do needlepoint, the more you find yourself looking for
unique ways to finish those items which are stitched, but not
finished. I have piles of them myself, so I was really excited at
TNNA to see the lovely Custom Suede Boxes made in New Mexico by Duane Massa.

Duane can take any piece of finished needlepoint and turn it into a
lovely suede box. Along with suede, smooth leathers are available.
He will also do boxes in specialty leathers as well.

The boxes are made of suede and then lined in another color of suede. Currently 16 colors of lamb leather and 31 colors of pig suede are available. There are six standard shapes (square, rectangle, heart, oval, egg and round). Each of these shapes is a standard price as long as the box is smaller than 25″ in circumference. Larger sizes are extra. The boxes are usually 2.5 inches deep, but other sizes can be made.

You can find the circumference of your needlepoint by measuring around the outside of the stitching. So, for example, a 5 inch square picture has a circumference of 20 inches.

But if you don’t want a standard shape, Duane will make boxes in the shape of your needlepoint. A bright pink contemporary cat face can be finished in the shape of the face. A leaping trout needlepoint is done as an irregularly-shaped box which follows the lines of the fish. New at the show was a hatbox-shaped box, the needlepoint making the top of the hat and having a suede “brim.” One of my pictures shows that the brim can also be made as a box.

Other shapes listed include a Halloween boot, a pumpkin (it was too cute) a lion, and a mini-sock. Duane also make picture frame boxes as well as photo albums in three sizes. These can all have your needlepoint as a striking cover. Think of having an album of Christmas photos with a special needlepoint of Santa on the front.

Finishing a box take 4-6 weeks. As a customer you provide the stitched needlepoint and pick your interior and exterior colors. You can also specify if you want a border to be added and what height you want the box to be. If you are making a photo album you also need to include a photo album to cover. Photo albums always have borders.

In the near future Custom Suede Boxes will be coming out with more great new products. These include a suede hinged stool, a needlepointed sewing box and suede or leather purses and pillows.

I was so impressed with the quality of these boxes. They are beautifully made, the tops and bottoms fitting perfectly. The quality of the leather and suede is outstanding, beautiful colors and strong enough to make great boxes. One of these would be such a treasure!