Letβs 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 βneedlepointerβ. The more I tried to expand my knowledge by way of βresearchβ, 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 βtid bitsβ 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 βknowledgeββ¦.. 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 hereβs the thing, the knowledge we have is just thatβ¦.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 oneβs surprise, the feedback did not disappoint. I have some of the responses saved to my Instagram highlight called βAdviceβ but to me this warranted itβs 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), βA rising tide lifts all boatsβ βοΈ
Tactical Advice:
ββ¦..save the fiber tags!β
βStretcher bars and tacks will save you in the long run from blocking (and added costs when finishing)β
βFind a light you love - your eyes will thank you for it (fan favorites: clip book light and neck light)
βLearn to basketweave; it is not as difficult as it seemsβ
βKeep a note in your phone of stretcher bar size you haveβ
βDMC thread is not that bad - give it a try. You will love the price pointβ
βAlways get the extra skein of fiberβ
βEnd your stitching by threading and anchoring the next thread. It will be easier to pick it back up laterβ
βBuy a snag nab-it tool!β
βKit your project when you are ready to stitch it; you may need more fiber than you thinkβ
βIf your purchase comes with one, read the βBeginner Guideββ¦..you may learn a thing or twoβ
On Trying New Stitches:
βDonβt be afraid to try new stitches
βWhen trying new stitches, use scrap canvas and leftover threads from your stashβ
βWhen in doubt - rip it out!β ( we all do it)
βYour stitches make your canvas your ownβ #whatyoustitchmatters
Before You Start (Any) Project:
βSet an intention for each piece from the start; know how it will be finished and usedβ
βA canvas not started is never finished; donβt let the fear of it not being βperfectβ steal the joy of starting!β
βWhen 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 colorsβ #fabricbeforefiber
βStart small with something you can finish! Donβt take on more than you can handleβ
Financially Speaking:
βWait for trunk shows!β (more money saved on needlepoint = more money to spend on needlepoint #NDLPTMath)
βDonβt cheap out on kitting a canvas. Make sure you love it and it will always be worth itβ #savoryourstash
βThink about the cost of everything (finishing included) when you purchase the canvas. Stop and think, βWill I still like this in 5 yearsβ¦?ββ
βUse your piggy bankβ¦..itβs an expensive hobbyβ (but so worth it)
Words To Live By:
βGo you own way! There is no right or wrong to life or needlepointβ
βThere can be a best way to do something but the right way is to have funβ
βRemember, everyone starts as a beginnerβ
βSlow and steady practice sharpens any skill; donβt be too hard on yourselfβ
βComparison is the thief of joy; do not let how someone else stitches make your stitches feel inferiorβ
βThere are no rules or police in needlepoint!β
βDonβt be afraid to dig in, it looks intimidating but it is so therapeuticβ
βThere is perfection in imperfection. If it is stitched with love it is perfect.β
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. π
xoxo,
Emily π
Such great advice!!
βNo rules or police in needlepointβ apply to all new things you try to do!