Needlepoint Advice For All 💫
Advice from the best, for the best...
Let’s face it, with the surge in needlepoint over the past 5+ years there has been a total shift in the ethos and energy of this craft and hobby as a whole. New designs, designers, ways and places to shop, you name it. Albeit difficult at times, change is a fabulous thing. It is the chief catalyst in driving us and the things we do (and love) forward.
When I picked up my first canvas almost four years ago, I felt like there was so much I needed to learn in order to become a “needlepointer”. The more I tried to expand my knowledge by way of “research”, the more my head felt like it was spinning.
Was there a handbook somewhere that outlined all of this for me!? What am I missing that everyone else seems to know already?
I devoured any and all social media “tid bits” I could find along with information from the internet and needlepoint friends I had started to make, in an attempt to cobble together my own sort of “knowledge”….. and here is what I know to be true.
Having needlepointed religiously now for almost four years, I can confidently report there is still a ton I am learning (both old and new). The abundance of knowledge in this fabulous community is second-to-none and is continuously growing.
And here’s the thing, the knowledge we have is just that….until we apply it.
A few weeks ago, I asked my Instagram followers to think about the best needlepointing advice they had received, lessons learned, and things they wish they knew as beginners. To absolutely no one’s surprise, the feedback did not disappoint. I have some of the responses saved to my Instagram highlight called “Advice” but to me this warranted it’s own write up here on the blog.
My sincere hope, whether you are new to this fabulous hobby or have been stitching for decades, is that you take something away.
I would love to hear in the comments what are some of your favorite pieces of advice, lessons learned, tips, etc.? Who are we to not share the gift of our knowledge with others? Because as the infamous John F. Kennedy once said (and Love MHB painted on a canvas), “A rising tide lifts all boats” ⚓️
Tactical Advice:
“…..save the fiber tags!”
“Stretcher bars and tacks will save you in the long run from blocking (and added costs when finishing)”
“Find a light you love - your eyes will thank you for it (fan favorites: clip book light and neck light)
“Learn to basketweave; it is not as difficult as it seems”
“Keep a note in your phone of stretcher bar size you have”
“DMC thread is not that bad - give it a try. You will love the price point”
“Always get the extra skein of fiber”
“End your stitching by threading and anchoring the next thread. It will be easier to pick it back up later”
“Buy a snag nab-it tool!”
“Kit your project when you are ready to stitch it; you may need more fiber than you think”
“If your purchase comes with one, read the ‘Beginner Guide’…..you may learn a thing or two”
On Trying New Stitches:
“Don’t be afraid to try new stitches
“When trying new stitches, use scrap canvas and leftover threads from your stash”
“When in doubt - rip it out!” ( we all do it)
“Your stitches make your canvas your own” #whatyoustitchmatters
Before You Start (Any) Project:
“Set an intention for each piece from the start; know how it will be finished and used”
“A canvas not started is never finished; don’t let the fear of it not being ‘perfect’ steal the joy of starting!”
“When you can, find your fabric before you purchase your fiber! It is much easier to match specific fiber colors to a fabric you love vs trying to find fabric that you love and that works with your stitch fiber colors” #fabricbeforefiber
“Start small with something you can finish! Don’t take on more than you can handle”
Financially Speaking:
“Wait for trunk shows!” (more money saved on needlepoint = more money to spend on needlepoint #NDLPTMath)
“Don’t cheap out on kitting a canvas. Make sure you love it and it will always be worth it” #savoryourstash
“Think about the cost of everything (finishing included) when you purchase the canvas. Stop and think, ‘Will I still like this in 5 years…?’”
“Use your piggy bank…..it’s an expensive hobby” (but so worth it)
Words To Live By:
“Go you own way! There is no right or wrong to life or needlepoint”
“There can be a best way to do something but the right way is to have fun”
“Remember, everyone starts as a beginner”
“Slow and steady practice sharpens any skill; don’t be too hard on yourself”
“Comparison is the thief of joy; do not let how someone else stitches make your stitches feel inferior”
“There are no rules or police in needlepoint!”
“Don’t be afraid to dig in, it looks intimidating but it is so therapeutic”
“There is perfection in imperfection. If it is stitched with love it is perfect.”
Although the list in this post has stopped here, the train of knowledge has not! I hope you found this both helpful and meaningful. Let me know what we are missing from this list in the Comment section below so I can continue to evolve and share this with more and more stitchers. 💓
xoxo,
Emily 🎀
Such great advice!!
“No rules or police in needlepoint” apply to all new things you try to do!