What Is Needlepoint : Tips And Tricks To Keep In Mind
Needlepoint is a type of embroidery work which has been traced back to ancient Egypt. Today, more and more people are taking an interest in needlepoint, as much as in hand embroidery. This is because of how relaxing it is and so perfect an outlet for their creativity.
Although it can be sometimes confused with cross-stitch, needlepoint is done on a canvas and has many types of stitches. Some types of needlepoint stitches are half stitch, basketweave stitch and continental stitch. Different stitches may be used depending upon how durable the final embroidery piece needs to be and on how much coverage is needed. Needlepoint also uses different types of thread, such as cotton and silk yarns, metallic cords and even ribbons, to give a variety of textures.
While the process of doing needlepoint work might be easily available via online sources and books, not many people are aware of the tips and tricks that are to be considered while practising needlepoint stitches.
1. So, to help you out, here are some important tips and tricks to keep in mind while doing needlepoint :
- While starting, and during the process, don’t worry too much about whether you are stitching the right way. Just breathe, relax and go about your work calmly.
- Many people think — where do I start and which colours do I use? Well, there is no specific rule so you can start from wherever you like on the canvas and use whichever colours you like!
- Cut your needlepoint canvas to size before you start, to get rid of its excess bulk and to make it easier to handle.
- Staple your needlepoint pattern to your canvas — makes it faster and easier to stitch.
- If you find that the thread keeps catching on to the rough edges of the canvas, then secure them with some masking tape.
- Try to keep the tension even in order to create a smoother finished product.
- If you use an embroidery frame, it will greatly reduce stretching and distorting of the needlepoint canvas.
- After you finish with your needlepoint stitches at the end of each day, make sure to secure the needle into an area of the canvas outside the design, so that you don’t stretch any of the area to be stitched.
- A needlepoint canvas is available in many sizes — from a very fine canvas to a coarse crisp fabric. So choose the right canvas.
