Getting Ready to Give Needlepoint Gifts

About a month before Christmas is not the best time to start thinking about making Christmas gifts. But, judging from my email, many of you are procrastinators, just like me.

I went into my usual panic (even though I’m in remarkably good shape at the moment) and got thinking about what to look for to make needlepoint into gifts. In no particular order, here are some ideas:

needlepoint bookends Get a set of inexpensive metal bookends and some 14 mesh plastic canvas. Stitch the canvas to be about 1″ bigger than the bookend on the sides and top. Make two of these. Cut two more pieces the same size, but don’t stitch them. Spray paint the bookends another color if desired. Stitch one stitched and one unstitched piece of canvas together and slip the bookend in.

Photo Albums Look for albums with a hole in the front for a photo and a fairly deep pocket. Trace the size of the opening onto a canvas and stitch your design, adding three rows all around and trim the canvas. Slip it into the album.

Needlepoint Boxes Find a box with a hole or glass in the top. Follow the procedure for the album to make a decorated box.

Needlepoint Wallets Find a wallet with a solid clear pocket on the outside and at least one clear pocket on the inside. Trace a credit or ID card onto the canvas. This is the stitching area. Stitch it, cut it out and insert it into the outer pocket of the wallet.

Needlepoint Pictures This assumes you have a stash of stitched but unfinished projects. Go through them and find ones close to standard frame sizes with 2″ canvas margins and unstitched backgrounds (you’ve just stitched the focal point). Buy a ready-made frame that size. Add a simple stitched background to make the needlepoint fit the frame. Trim the needlepoint, old under the sides and pop into the frame. I did this with four twinchies on Friday (I tend to stockpile frames in certain sizes). and they look great!

I hope I’ve solved at least some gift dilemmas.

Related posts:

1. Stitch, Slip & Go – 12 Days of Needlepoint Gifts
2. Give the Gift of Stitching – 12 Days of Needlepoint Gifts
3. How to Make Needlepoint Fit Ready-made Frames
4. Last Minute Needlepoint for Gifts
5. Needlepoint Tote Bag from Finished Pieces in your Stash – 12 Days of Needlepoint Gifts