You can easily finish needlepoint yourself as a simple pillow ornament. It’s similar to the process to make a cross stitch pillow or pillow ornament, but for needlepoint you will have to tweak the materials. This is because needlepoint is both thicker and stiffer than cross stitch or embroidery on fabric.
Remember this and you’ll do fine.
Most importantly, you will need a heavy material for your backing fabric. While the ornament in the tutorial used a calico for the back, for needlepoint that won’t hold up. Pick something heavy. I’ve used upholstery and drapery fabrics, ultrasuede, wool, corduroy, velvet and upholstery silks.
Second, if you have used open canvas anywhere in your design, you will need to line the needlepoint before finishing the ornament. The lining needs to be in a color to coordinate with either the canvas or the needlepoint because it will show. It should be tightly woven so that the stuffing doesn’t show through, but it does no need to be opaque.
Pin it so the right side of the lining is against the back of the needlepoint. Sew around the outside edge of the needlepoint and then treat this whole thing as the needlework.
Finally you might want to sew over the ribbon ends a few times to have the attach sturdily. Canvas is more hole than fabric, so the extra sewing will make sure the sewing pierces some needlepoint canvas threads.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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