Recently there as been much discussion about what we as the needlepoint community are doing for the new needlepointer. Jane, of Chilly Hollow, posted a message from a reader and then Don Lynch opened it up on the Needlepoint Facebook Group. I hope we all try to do our part in keeping needlepoint vibrant! The beginner has always been my focus.
I developed my "Painted Stitches" canvases just so learning decorative needlepoint stitches would be easier for any stitcher, especially the beginner. I want to be a resource for the stitcher and our shops! This year I added a teaching guide for one of my canvases so any shop could teach a class.
I started my "Painted Stitches" idea in 2009 after teaching a counted thread class at my local needlepoint shop. Half the class enjoyed the project, but the other half were very frustrated and didn't have a good stitching experience. I wanted everyone to have a great experience and thought, "It would have been easier if I just painted the stitches on the canvas! Then they could have followed the painted color and learned the stitch."
The concept is simple. Think "training wheels" for learning decorative needlepoint stitches. The directions for the decorative needlepoint stitches are painted right on the canvas in two colors. The canvas is uniquely created to highlight each stitch step. The stitch compensation is painted on the canvas. If the stitcher follows the stitches painted on the needlepoint canvas, and refers to the stitch guide, then they will have a successful, beautiful finished piece.
I started the "Painted Stitches" concept because I wanted learning decorative needlepoint stitches to be simple and accessible. I wanted stitchers to try something new and have success with their learning experience. The painted needlepoint canvas is all mapped out for the person who wants to learn decorative stitches. Then, the stitcher can take their expanded needlepoint knowledge, go to their stash or new canvas and have even more fun.
The following are some of my most popular "Painted Stitches" canvases.
PS18 Summer Squares Stitch Guide
PS18 Summer Squares Teaching Guide
"Painted Stitches Summer Squares - The Bridge from Basketweave to Beyond. Summer Squares incorporates 20 decorative needlepoint stitches from easiest to more complex. Each new stitch builds on knowledge from the previous stitch. Each decorative stitch area is uniquely painted to highlight each stitch step. Using two types of contrasting threads, Caron Snow and Vineyard Silk Classic, Summer Squares 6" x 6" #14 mesh hand-painted needlepoint canvas shimmers and shines with success."
PS02 Painted Stitches 6x6 Stitch Guide
Simple, fun, and colorful Painted Stitch Sampler is surefire way to learn decorative stitches and expand your needlepoint knowledge! The canvas is uniquely created to highlight each stitch step! You will learn 12 decorative stitches, adapting them to specific areas, on this 6” x 6” canvas on #14 mesh. We will be stitching with 14 Vineyard Silk Classic Colors threads. Information pack including 2 step color stitch diagrams and letter chart will be included.
PS07 Painted Stitches Palm Stitch Guide
Bright and colorful, PS07 Painted Stitches Palm is a great way to expand your needlepoint knowledge! You will learn 7 decorative stitches, on this 6" x 6" #14 mesh hand-painted needlepoint canvas. The canvas is set up as “Sister Stitches”. “Sister Stitches” are stitches that are similar but somewhat different. By learning the first stitch the second stitch will be easier to learn. Each decorative stitch area is uniquely created to highlight each stitch step, adapting them to specific areas. Compensation is painted on the canvas. 2 step color stitch diagrams included.
PS12 Painted Stitches Ribbon Sampler Stitch Guide
PS12 Painted Stitches Ribbon Sampler is a great way to expand your needlepoint knowledge! You will learn 10 decorative stitches, on this 6" x 6" #14 mesh hand-painted needlepoint canvas. This is a new twist on the sampler idea, painted especially for Threadworx Overdyed Vineyard Silk threads and harmonizing Vineyard Silk Classic threads. A sampler of decorative stitches and a sampler of overdyed threads. The bright, colorful ribbons pop off the black background. Each decorative stitch area is uniquely created to highlight each stitch step, adapting them to specific areas. Compensation is painted on the canvas. 2 step color stitch diagrams included.
I love to hear any ideas how I can help and how we can carry on our beloved needlepoint tradition!
Painted Stitches Stitch Guide Page
Barbara Bergsten Needlepoint Designs
http://www.barbarabergstendesigns.com/
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