Create Needlepoint!

Needlepoint Polar Bear Present Ornament

 

This is my progress on the Needlepoint Polar Bear Present Ornament. The metallics are the new Kreinik Holographic Threads. The blue background is Water & Ice and the Polar Bear is Arctic Rays, both from Rainbow Gallery. Kreinik Holographic Threads are stiff so I thought I would use Thread Straighteners. They are a must for metallic threads and any other thread with a kink in it. Wind the ends of the thread around the Thread Straighteners, pull the thread tight and then relax it to see if the bends are gone. If not repeat, pulling tighter. You will get the feel of how hard to pull. By straightening the threads it keeps them stitching smoothly and stops them from popping up. That being said I pulled too hard on the Red Kreinik Holographic Thread. I actually changed the color of the thread by pulling too hard. I don't know if you can see (it's the middle of the hat red). I still love Thread Straighteners but be careful. Specialty threads may have coatings that can be ruined by pulling too hard.

Needlepoint Frame

I'm making good progress on my first needlepoint peguin. I decided to put it on a frame. It is difficult to stitch with specialty threads in hand. I should also switch to a larger needle. I'll get one today. A larger needle makes the mesh open more and the specialty threads can glide easily through the canvas. I've been working with just wool for so long I forgot these specialty thread tips!

Needlepoint Photo Area con't... 3 ...

Below is a comment from Jane of Chilly Hollow. It's such excellent information I wanted to post the comment for all of us trying to improve our needlepoint photos!

"I use my scanner to take photographs of needlepoint canvases. It doesn't always work well as the scanner bed is only 8 1/2 by 14 or so, but since I don't have a special macro lens on my digital or regular cameras, I get better closeups that way and the scanner software lets me crop photos, make them light/darker/sharper, etc.

When I do this I put construction paper behind the piece, usually in a color that masks the holes. You've probably seen photos of unstitched NP canvas that look zebra striped. Paper behind the piece takes care of a lot of that, although some software settings allow one to minimize this effect. However, I like the paper better as I like a sharper image.

As to what background color, look for a tan (like wood) or soft gray (like stone). Those neutral colors do better in photographs. I have a navy piece of Ultrasuede I use sometimes for pieces that aren't flat but I get the best photos using a neutral background of tan or light gray. Green grass works with some pieces but if you are looking for something you can use for most pieces, look for tan or gray wallpaper remnants, fabric remnants, a wood floor, stone pavement, etc. Good luck!"

Larger needle

It's recommended to stitch specialty threads with a larger needle. I would normally use a #22 needle on #14 mesh needlepoint canvas. I didn't have a larger needle so I was stitching the Gold Rush thread with the #22 needle. I was having a hard time. Yesterday I got a larger needle. They didn't have any #20 needles so I got a #18 needle. (the smaller the number the larger the needle) It was much easier! The theory is a large needle opens the mesh hole more and allows the specialty thread to glide through the hole. This prevents abrading the thread and you don't have to tug causing wear and damage. I'm happy with the #18 needle, even if it's a little too large because I can see the difference between sizes. I'm still stitching the night sky on Gingerbread Farmhouse. It's a slow go for me doing basketweave tent stitch on a frame!

Tips, Tricks & Tools

Great Needlepoint Tips, Ticks & Tools …

Do you know the trick of using a mirror (one of those square cheap ones from the drugstore that opens like a book is best) to reflect the mirror image so you can stitch it?

Now that there are fancy photo programs that reverse an image one can do that too, but I like my little handbag mirror!

Jane, waving from Chilly Hollow

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Here are four extra things I include in my needlepoint bag:

Extra Brass Tacks
Thread Heaven
Laying Tool
Small Spiral Bound Notebook

Althea
http://bargelloneedlepoint.com

To help prevent your thread from snagging and knotting, run it through a folded dryer sheet once it is on the needle - you are trying to coat the thread with whatever they coat the dryer sheet with. This will make it smoother, less static and easier to stitch with. I especially like to do this when stitching with silks, which often seem to catch on my skin.

http://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/index.html

What’s in my Needlepoint Bag:

What’s in my Needlepoint Bag:

ü  Needles #22, #20, #19

ü  Magnets

ü  Project Sheet

ü  Needle Threader

ü  Sharp Scissors

ü  Thread Straightener

ü  Seam Ripper

ü  Tweezers

ü  Needle Cleaner Strawberry

ü  Accessories Cord

ü  Reading Glasses

ü  Glasses Cleaner

ü  Measuring Tape

ü  Pen

ü  Post-Its

ü  Back up Scissors

ü  Back up Needle Threader

What’s in your Needlepoint Bag? I’d love to hear about any other great tools and tips!

Restitched

 

Old Crab is ripped out and restitched. Now the stripes look the way I envisioned them. Well worth the effort!!

Ripping Out

I’m getting out my seam ripper and sharp scissors. I need to rip out the background on Old Crab. What I thought was an inspired idea is a flop!!! My idea was to enhance the background stripes with the Parisian needlepoint stitch in two colors. As you can see from the picture it doesn’t enhance the stripes, but muddies up the background. Ripping out needlepoint is my least favorite activity, but it worth it to improve the canvas. Marilyn is always ripping out needlepoint when it doesn’t work. She is my idol for doing this!

Painted Stitches Sampler Stretcher Bars

I am going to stitch Stitch Your Stress Away on stretcher bars. The canvas wasn’t wide enough for my scroll frame so I bought a pair of 12” and a pair of 10” stretcher bars and a box of tacks. Thankfully Jean helped and put it all together. I’ve learned whenever you stitch multiple decorative stitches a frame should always be used. This keeps the needlepoint canvas taut and the threads don’t get all bunched up. The canvas also retains its squared up shape. I like “scoop” stitching and rolling and folding my canvas into my project bag. This isn’t possible with a frame. I want the stitches as straight as possible so now it’s all framed up!!

Needlepoint Project Threads

This is now Jean manages her needlepoint threads for each project. Each color is fastened on a small ring then all the rings are fastened on a larger ring. The needlepoint threads pull off easily without undoing the whole hank.

Thread Many Needles

I

saw an interesting tip yesterday. The stitcher was working on a very complicated canvas with many small areas of color scatter all over the needlepoint canvas. To keep things moving she kept many needles threaded these different colors so she didn’t have to stop to thread. I thought this was a nifty trick!

Needlepoint Fiber Organization

Yesterday I saw a great way to organize needlepoint fibers. She put each type of fiber in a plastic sheet protector and kept them all in wide 3-ring binders. The binders were easy to carry to the needlepoint shop in a tote bag.

Organizing my Stash

I’m desperate to organize my stash. I have a drawer full of needlepoint threads with no rhythm or reason. Does anyone have a great idea how to keep everything organized? Thank you!!

Hari-kuyo

Yesterday Wool & Willow Needlepoint Shop Celebrated Hari-kuyo, the Japanese Memorial Service of Snapped Needles. It was a wonderful ceremony. Start saving your broken needles for next year!

Needlepoint Tools

Here at Wool & Willow, we love gadgets and we were amazed at how many we carry and surprised at how they are all popular with our customers. How many do you recognize? Thimble it, scissors fob, magnifier tweezers, pin cushion, ribbon stretcher, Italian scissors, laying tool, Bugz-eye magnifier and needle tugger.

Bunka Brush

I learned how to use a Bunka Brush today. I've heard of it, but never had an need to use one. HO HO Santa’s beard was stitched with angora threads. When I finished the needlepoint canvas Jean showed me how to brush up the fibers with a bunka brush. Doing this gives the beard a long, hairy look. I was pleased with the result and would try it again.

Protecting Needlepoint

Yesterday Anne recommended I keep my needlepoint mounted on my scroll frame in a pillow case. It does protect it! I wish I could find a cute bag instead of a pillowcase!

Needlepoint Scroll Frame

Beach Girls #4 is becoming a bigger learning experience than I anticipated. Jean and Anne strongly suggested I stitch the needlepoint canvas on a frame. I learned whenever you stitch multiple decorative stitches a frame should always be used. This keeps the needlepoint canvas taut and the threads don’t get all bunched up. The canvas also retains its squared up shape. I have never used a frame. I didn’t think I ever wanted to use a frame. I like “scoop” stitching and rolling and folding my canvas into my project bag. This isn’t possible with a frame. I didn’t even know how to put a canvas on the frame. Jean happily volunteered to show me. I photographed the steps to share. I’m happy to report I love working on the frame. I’m searching for a new project bag to accommodate my new needlepoint tool.

Traveling with Needlepoint 2

I forgot to remove my needlepoint scissors from my carryon bag retuning from my trip. They passed through security just fine!! Next trip I’ll carry my scissors on again. It does make stitching much easier. I finished the small Patchwork Square project. Soon I’ll share the stitches I used. It was the perfect sized project for a week away!

Traveling with Needlepoint

I’m packing for a trip south. I’m taking the small Patchwork Square project. I’ve packed my project bag with: Patchwork Square needlepoint canvas, threads, thread & stitches notes, two types of glasses, needle threader, magnets, stitch book and extra needles. I’m going to carry on my project so I am packing my scissors in my checked baggage. I don’t want to risk losing a good pair of scissors to the airlines. The needle threader has a tiny little blade that saws threads in a pinch.

Needlepoint Magnets

One of the greatest needlepoint tool inventions are needlepoint magnets. I don’t know how we lived without them. I haven’t lost a needle yet since using magnets. I always know where my needle is. I put my needle on the magnet while cutting my thread. No more needles poked through the canvas misshaping and discoloring the mesh when I’m finished needlepointing. Whenever a customer buys a canvas I always ask, “do you have magnets?” Zecca makes adorable magnets that are large and colorfully designed. A great present for your stitching friend or a gift to yourself!  Wool & Willow Needlepoint carries a full line of magnets.

My Favorite Needlepoint Project Bag

I wanted to share with you my favorite needlepoint project bag.

Vera Bradley Little Travel Case

It lies flat and zips open all around. There is one large mesh pocket in the lid and smaller mesh pockets on the backside. The best part of this project bag is you don’t have to dig deep into it for your needlepoint, threads or supplies! All you do is unzip and everything is in eyesight. It can be purchased online and at many stores. It comes in great colors too.