What is needlepoint?

Needlepoint, also known as canvas work, is sometimes mistakenly called tapestry. (Real tapestries are woven, not stitched.) I tend to describe it as:

stitches worked on canvas,
often using wool
and normally covering the whole surface.

However, any one of those points can be argued!

My Textures to Dye for range have been worked on Aida fabric with cotton, rayon and silk threads, and sometimes canvas areas have been left bare.

Many people are introduced to canvaswork by using tent stitch on a printed or hand painted canvas. Sometimes there are long straight stitches already in place, called tramming, to help show what colour to use for each stitch. But there are many more creative options available!

Designs can be worked from charts in a similar manner to counted cross stitch, and can incorporate many different stitches and textures.

How to needlepoint

I will share with you many types of techniques, stitches and designs on the pages of this website.

Why not start with learning basic tent stitch and its variations. These stitches look the same on the front but are worked using different methods.

Then you can move on to textured stitches like the Rhodes stitch, Velvet stitch and many more.

As your confidence builds, you might want to try using a laying tool to help you produce smooth stitches.

Why not see what difference that the type of thread can make to your stitches?

You might like to learn Bargello, also known as Hungarian Point or Florentine embroidery, and try a free bargello design for Christmas. Simple to stitch, it is the choice of a harmonizing color scheme that makes Bargello such a stunning form of needlework.

Stitching on plastic canvas is a great introduction to this form of needlework, you can try it while stitching this pretty poppy coaster.

What needlepoint supplies will you need?

You will require canvas, yarn or thread, tapestry needles, and basic equipment including a frame and scissors (large ones for cutting canvas and small, sharp ones for thread). Oh, and a certain amount of patience would also be useful.

needlepoint-chair (6K)

What can I use it for?

Lots of things! How about...

cushions (pillows),
chair covers,
rugs for the floor,
belts,
bags,
wall hangings,
bellpulls,
church kneelers,
fire-screens,
boxes,
door stops,
book covers,
pincushions
and even tiny items for dolls houses.

Needlepoint creates attractive, hardwearing, useful items, that can become family heirlooms.

How long have people been stitching on canvas?

Oh, a very long time! it dates back to the days of the ancient Egyptians. The uses have changed over the centuries. In medieval times it was used to make warm wall hangings, whereas bargello chair covers were all the rage in the seventeenth century.

Fire-screens and smaller items were popular in the eighteenth century.

Interest in Berlin woolwork spread from 1830 onwards, with designs that were printed on paper in black and white and then hand coloured being stitched onto canvas in cross stitch.

Ready to get started? Just click on any of the links on this page to begin your journey.

If you have questions about needlepoint please use the form below to ask other visitors to the site for help and advice.

Do you have a question about Needlepoint?

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Or perhaps you have a tip you wish to pass on. This section is for you to interact with other needlepointers, create you own page and help others.

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What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

finishing plastic canvas project
i just completed my first needlework project on a plastic canvas, and now i don't know what to do with it! it's a bell, 4 inches tall and 4 inches across ...

Needlepoint furnishings
What home furnishings items are suitable for Needlepoint and why?

Stuffing Needlepoint Nativity Figures
I have spent a LONG time and finally finished a tiny Nativity... but I cannot find any instructions for stuffing and weighting them.

Paying for finishing ...

I am a beginner in Needlepoint
Hi,
I have two questions. I am a real newbie in needlepoint, although I do know how to do the basic stitches. I found a pre-stamped kit which includes ...

Starting bargello
My mom did a lot of bargello needle work in the 70s and I cherish her colorful pillows. I want to try my hand at it. How do you recommend that I start ...

canvas count
If using 3 threads of wool what is the canvas count..size of the hole?

Stretching Needlework in progress
My mother-in-law is working on a rather large needlepoint piece and the original shape of the backing is very mishapen now. How do I strech it for her ...

Circle Plastic Canvas Not rated yet
How do I needlepoint a Circle shaped Plastic Canvas. There does not seem to anything to show you the correct pattern to follow the circle format. HELP!...

finishing edges of needlepoint Not rated yet
how do I finish off the edges of a completed needlepoint?

Carol asks...

The finishing technique you use would depend on the purpose the finished ...

applying your name to a needlepoint piece Not rated yet
I have done a lot of needlepoint cushions and stools over the years. I would like to pass these down to my children but have yet to find a way of applying ...

Needlepoint with silk threads Not rated yet
I am currently working on a project on 14 to the in canvas with 6 ply silk. I feel like 6 ply covers pretty well. Can you tell me of any other ways to ...

How to Avoid Seeing the canvas through your work Not rated yet
I have just started needlepointing and I'm making a belt. For the most part, my canvas is covered....but I still can see some of the paint, from the design ...

needlepoint wooden slides Not rated yet
I have a canvas to make needlepoint wooden slides. I cannot find a wood sole to attach it to. Do you have any suggestions as to where I can purchase ...

Needlepoint canvas Not rated yet
My question is...do you have to use needlepoint canvas to do needlepoint or can you use other types of needlework cloth like aida? I ask that because the ...

Needlepoint Bellpull Finishing Not rated yet
I would appreciate any suggestions and help on finishing a needlepoint piece with sections of open canvas as a bell pull. I have never finished a bell ...