Moho Beach
Did you guess that the image above this post was done in needlepoint? You guessed wrong. It is an oil on canvas rendering of Moho Beach by emerging Canadian artist Caroline Larsen. “Over several years she has developed a unique technique for applying paint,” states her bio. Navigate over there and check out her gallery of work.
Read this engaging blog post about a ten-year-old girl who stitched a needlepoint canvas, but didn’t quite get it right. She wants her Mom to spring for the finishing cost. Mother finds herself in a moral dilemma (basically the definition of motherhood).
What do you think? Should Mommy lay out the 50 bucks or so to make it into a pillow, imperfections and all? Should Mommy painstakingly rip out the stitching and show her how to do it right?
Christine Mann has done it again, this time with an article titled “Guide to Needlepoint Yarns and Threads“. A good introduction to the different types of threads and how to choose between them.
The vast assortment of different yarns and threads available today can be confusing. Which ones work best for needlepoint? How should a needle pointer choose the right yarn or thread for a particular project?
Read the whole thing.
Christine Mann has posted a Guide to Needlepoint Canvas over at Suite101. The article summarizes the differences between the various types of needlepoint canvas and is a pretty good introduction to this topic.
Good quality materials are essential for creating works of art that last, and they help avoid frustration while you work. Before beginning a needlepoint project, inspect the canvas to make sure the threads have no knots or cuts. The grid should be even, not warped or distorted. Make sure the weave and gauge of the canvas is the right scale for the design and yarn you plan to use. Make sure its stiffness and sturdiness are a good match for the way the needlepointed item will be used.
In other words, it pays to buy designs that were done on quality canvas. At Pepita Needlepoint, all designs are printed on expensive Zweigart Mono Deluxe canvas, widely preferred by stitchers everywhere. Threads are clean and straight, the weave is uniform and stiff, and the material is sturdy yet gentle on your hands.