Nuts about Needlepoint » needlework techniques

First Look at an Exciting New Thread

Janet Perry — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:34:31 +0000

Sweetie Pie by Barbara Elmore

The hair in the delightful piece by Barbara Elmore is made with Sparkles, am exciting new thread from Sundance. (Sundance also distributes the canvas.) It’s a sparkly, wide mesh tube that is available in 12 colors.

Sparkles needlepoint tube from Sundance

As you can see from this picture, it looks as if you would NEVER be able to stitch with it, but it’s like a miracle thread. Barbara is right in her post when she says using it is “addictive.” In it she shows pictures of it left whole and full (also the picture of Sweetie Pie above), flattened and couched down, used in variable thickness couching, and teased apart to make a realistic fire.

That’s not all, you could also make thick or thin spirals from it or flatten it down squeeze it and wrap it to make something that look like a solid piece of metal. You could put small beads in it and then wrap thread between the beads to make a necklace. You could run Sundance’s new Neon tubing through it and make it glow.

There are so many possibilities. I”m excited to try it and as you find ways to use it, let me know and we’ll share them.

Making Sense of Beads

Janet Perry — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:45:13 +0000

Originally posted 2010-01-26 07:40:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Even though I also work with beads for making jewelry and needlework accessories, I must admit that beads on canvas mostly baffle me. Seed beads are measured in sizes that tell you, roughly, how many beads are in an inch. It’s like canvas, the smaller the number, the bigger the bead. But then there are questions of shape and finish that make a huge difference in the finished look of your beading.

That’s why I’m so delighted with Jane’s post Sunday about beads. While she doesn’t cover every kind of bead finish out there, she does a wonderful and detailed analysis of the three candidates for her current project.

There are a few other finishes, I’d like to help decipher for you as well. You’ll see seed beads classified this way. They can be applied to any shape of bead, although I’ve mostly seen them on round and cylindrical beads.

Silver-lined beads are clear glass on the outside and the hole is lined with silver. This gives them an underlying metallic glow, while not looking metallic. They are one of my favorites to use in bead mixtures like the mustard box, pictured above, because they add a nice sparkle.

Frosted beads have a finish on them which gives them a matte, dusty look. While there are other kinds of opaque and matte beads, these are recognizable by the dusty frosted look.

Opalescent beads also have a coating on them, but this one gives a multi-colored “oil slick” coloring to the beads. I have seen this finish on both shiny and matte beads. I love it because it’s a texture you don’t find in many threads, so adding opalescent beads to your needlepoint is a great effect.

There is so much more to explore in the world of beads and needlepoint. One of the most inspiring things you can do is visit a local bead store and try out some of the wonderful things you see there.

Exploring the Painted Stitch Canvas

Janet Perry — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:08:54 +0000

I was so excited when I found the vintage canvas on eBay awhile ago. I like it because the stitches are already painted on, much as the wonderful designs of Barbara Bergsten are.

This type of needlepoint has the pattern of the stitch already there on the canvas, you pick your threads and follow along.

In the bottom left corner, you can see a patch I’ve already stitched, in Jacquard. The green line was painted on the canvas, I stitched that first and then filled in the cream.

The patch above will be Framed Scotch, I’m stitching the Scotch Stitches now and the white lines that frame the squares will be in Continental.

For some of the patches here, the stitch to use is quite clear, for others I’ll need to make some choices.

But if you are a beginner, or just want to expand your repertoire of stitches, look at Barbara’s great designs. She’s endlessly inventive and her painted stitches are just perfect and a joy to stitch.

With Painted Stitch canvases and a good stitch dictionary, you’ll learn tons of new stitches quickly.

P.S. In future posts, you’ll see this piece again because I’m using it to test three new threads.

On Older Canvas

Janet Perry — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:30:09 +0000

Originally posted 2007-01-22 17:39:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

My Sunday stitching project at the moment is an older canvas and Iâ€™m stitching it in hand. Working on it yesterday got me thinking about canvas.

High-quality canvas, like Zweigart mono, is made from 100% cotton. The stiffness of a new needlepoint canvas comes from sizing added to the canvas once it is woven. Sizing also makes canvas hard on threads because the stiff sizing wears out the thread more quickly than the smooth fabric alone.

Sizing is removed from canvas is several ways. If you thoroughly wet the canvas, you notice itâ€™s a bit sticky — thatâ€™s the sizing. Wet it and wring it out a couple more times and the sizing is removed.

As you stitch the canvas, your needle moves the canvas back and forth – this will eventually break down the sizing. Folding the canvas also does this along the fold.

Finally the sizing disappears as the canvas gets old.

In my case, the canvas was folded (and I know better) and it is three years old. So itâ€™s very soft. Iâ€™m still crumpling it up in hand, so I donâ€™t mind too much, but if you have an old canvas and want stiffness, your only solution is to stretch it on a frame. Stretching and the tension it brings will put stiffness back into the canvas. I would go further and say just use Evertite bars because you will need to adjust the tension more often with an older canvas.

Threads & Shading Class Starts February 15

Janet Perry — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:11:34 +0000

Isn’t this Amaryllis by Piet Mondrian striking?

It’s so simple, so modern, but in such bright colors.

And it’s the canvas for my next class for Art Needlepoint, starting February 15, 2012. Suitable for beginners, it has a taste of many different techniques including:

padding
textured stitches
outlining
pattern darning
shadow stitching

YOu’ll learn these techniques and more and use three different types of thread with your purchase of the complete kit. My classes for Art Needlepoint are free with the purchase of the kit.

Best of all, those purchasing the kit for purposes of this class get a special discount.

Learning one or two techniques in a class is unusual, and here you’ll learn several in an email class so you can stitch in your comfy chair, in your PJs, and at your own pace.

Remember the class starts February 15, 2012, so order your kit today.

More New from TNNA

Janet Perry — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:51:10 +0000

There are several new accessories that debuted at TNNA. Probably the hit of the show was Pischke Pillows. from the makers of the the popular Pischke Pockets. Using ten-mesh canvas with your choice of three designs, the kit comes with the same sturdy fabrics as the totes, grosgrain ribbon, and threads. The pillows are made amazingly easily and the three designs will work in almost any setting, even outdoors.

Rainbow Gallery has brought out new acrylic laying tools. Each is a unique design. The laying tool is a BLT with an acrylic handle and removable cover.

DMC has a lovely “designer” accessory collection with storage for your project, stitch bows, and a needle holder in a matching print.

Krienik has add four new Stitch-A-Pen kits including three hearts designs and a wedding pen.

Tuitto showed and interesting line of luggage and cases. They are soft, with tons of pockets, four wheels, and a PVC frame on either side. They use an ergonomic design and were very popular among shopowners. They come in up to 12 colors (depending on the piece).

Lee Needle Arts has an iPad case. They have also expanded the bags that can use the removable inserts. Bags with BR and now, I think, BG inserts can use the removable inserts. Anne Brinkley has brought back those lovely porcelain and crystal boxes. I have some of them I stitched ages ago and I’m excited about being able to get more.

Do you have tons of thread hanging around? Is lots of it in uncut skeins? Then you’l love Clover’s new Basket Frames. Available in two sizes in three shapes, they are cardboard frames that make your basket sturdy. Wrap your thread or ribbon around the frame. Then you can add embellishments if you like. These are great because they are much easier to do than traditional baskets and because they allow you to use soft threads and ribbons to make a great basket.

BagSmith has decorated wooden tubes that contain six needles. Several types of needles and design styles are available.

Two great new books are coming out. June McKnight’s new book is called Bling, Glitz, and Glamour for Needlepoint. It’s dedicated to embellishments and, from the models, it looks great. Sharon G’s second book will be out in the spring. It’s dedicated to borders and has over 20.

Stitch Direction & Needlepoint – Part 2

Janet Perry — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:10:00 +0000

Originally posted 2010-02-25 12:53:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Tied Oblong Cross Stitch is an oblique stitch.

While straight and diagonal stitches cover most needlepoint stitches, there are three other stitch and pattern directions that are quite powerful because they don’t have a strong direction. I often turn to these types of stitches when I need something that is unusual but doesn’t have strong lines. In fact, most of my go to stitches fall into these categories.

This version of Bath has an oblique horizontal direction.

Diagon Victorian Step is made of diagonal stitches, but has an oblique pattern direction.

Diagonal Cashmere has an oblique pattern direction because of its rectangular shape.

Oblique Stitches are those stitches with a slant off the true diagonal. Many of them, like Oblong Cross, top of article, are rectangular. Some patterns can also create oblique lines. Some of my favorite of these are pictured above. Bath, top, is an offset version of Milanese. Victorian Step, middle, creates oblique lines of longer stitches. Diagonal Cashmere, bottom, is oblique because of the rectangular Cashmere units.

Use Oblique Stitches when you want to create a difference in horizontal and vertical lines, but not have it too obvious. Combining vertical and horizontal versions of oblique stitch patterns reinforces the direction of both without making the change too abrupt.

Encroached Gobelin creates a textured stitch with no direction.

Encroached Stitches are those where the stitches in one row intrude upon, or encroach, stitches in another row. The most familiar of these is Encroached Gobelin, above, where one row of stitches starts before the other row of stitches ends. But stitch patterns can also encroach. These patterns do not have strong lines in themselves and have stitches which but up against other stitches, making the lines mesh together. Triple Diagonal Parisian, below, is one such stitch.

Triple Diagonal Parisian is a textured stitch with no direction.

Encroached Stitches are a great choice when you want no stitch direction but want more texture than Tent Stitch.

Double Linen is a straight stitch with a criss-cross direction.

Criss-cross Stitches are those stitches where each individual unit changes direction and overlaps other units. While there are straight stitches with this pattern like Double Linen, above, most of the time “criss-cross” is used for diagonal stitches.

Criss-cross Stitches form highly textured but non-directional patterns. Often they have a woven appearance. They are nice to use when an object is round, a ring (broken or unbroken) or when two sections need to reflect each other. I’m currently using Sertendipity, below, for the horseshoe on my Charley Harper canvas, where the shape defeated all my other ideas.

Setrendipity is a small criss-cross stitch which works for many areas.

If you can’t figure out what kind of stitch direction you need in an area, try a criss-cross stitch, they often work perfectly.

My apologies for the lateness of the post, I got home late last night and had errands this morning.

Free Embroidery Patterns

Janet Perry — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:40:44 +0000

Originally posted 2008-10-23 06:52:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

With the renewed interest in free embroidery (embroidery on a on-counted ground or fabric), you can find lots of pretty cool free patterns intended to transfer onto a piece of fabric.

But you can just as easily transfer them onto apiece of needlepoint canvas and use them as a line-drawing for your needlepoint.

Today we are going to talk about what to look for when you want to do this and tomorrow we will begin a step-by-step tutorial on how to go from a free pattern on the Web to a finished needlepoint.

When you look at embroidery transfer designs, what you see are the lines of the design which will be covered with stitching. Most free embroidery of this type relies on the fabric to covey the design and so they have lots of open spaces.

This is good for us as needlepointers because we will fill those areas up with stitches.
Tip #1 Look for designs with open areas which aren’t filled with lots of lines to be covered.

But (isn’t there always a but), in free embroidery other details, like facial expression are conveyed with lines and other details as well.

Here is where you have a problem. When you embroider on cloth you can stick a stitch anywhere, it can be any angle, it can stop or start anyplace. But with needlepoint you are stuck with the grid. The bigger the wholes, the fewer details you can convey. So a design with too many little details will lose them when changed to needlepoint.

It’s like looking at a scene through a screen as opposed to through a window. With the screen you can see everything, yes, but you lose detail. Needlepoint canvas is the screen.

In conclusion I thought today I would share with you some free embroidery sites where you can download new and vintage embroidery patterns.

If you want to play along with the tutorial, check back tomorrow to see the Arts & Crafts design I picked from this site. But you can pick one which suits your style and your mood and stitch away.

Check the designs out at these sites:
Embroidery Patterns – This Flickr album has many charming designs, many looking like children’s book illustrations.
TipNut – has a listing of all kinds of embroidery projects. Click on the link to find the particular project and then look through the article to find the pattern. Many of these are vintage and vintage style.
Meggiecat – has links to lots of great vintage patterns.
Needle n’Thread – Scroll down past the text ads to find many lovely patterns, often in traditional, Victorian, and Arts & Crafts styles.
Doe-c-doe – Every Thursday she showcases vintage embroidery and embroidery patterns. I’ve found lots of good things here.
Vintage Transfer Designs – Lots of great retro and vintage transfers.
Antique Pattern Library – This site is harder to use. It’s a list of vintage embroidery publiations available to download on the Web.

I’m sure you will find something to suit your fancy here. We’ll start the project tomorrow!

Plastic Canvas Baby Blocks – Free Pattern

Janet Perry — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:54:25 +0000

Originally posted 2010-04-18 07:56:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Plastic Canvas Blocks from Roots & Wings Co.

One of the best things about needlepoint os that you can customize your stitching to suit your tastes or the tastes of the recipient. Take this free pattern for plastic canvas blocks from Roots & Wings Co. for example. You could stitch a set to match a nursery’s decor, or one using the mom’s favorite color.

There are suggestions for several options for the blocks, as well as pictures of others. You could make a color block (with each side a different color), dice blocks, a shape block (with each side a different shape), patterns, or even the traditional letters.

The blocks use standard plastic canvas squares from the craft store.

Cool Plastic Canvas Alert

Janet Perry — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:40:51 +0000

These plastic canvas robots are from Crafty Pod (http://www.craftypod.com)

My friend Diane over at Crafty Pod made these completely amazing robots from plastic canvas.

Her post details the project and many more pictures of them.

I am completely in awe of the wonderful and fresh things Diana does with plastic canvas. In fact there are several posts on this blog pointing to free projects she has made available using this ground, including: