Recently, a few friends asked me how to get started with needlepoint. I love when asked this question because I have been doing needlepoint for a while and love it when others want to join me. For the longest time, I thought I was alone primarily as a younger person doing needlepoint, but I now realize so many others are too.
I have learned a lot of new things from the Boston stitch club. The members are helpful with tips and tricks for creating the best needlepoint pieces and in what direction to send new people wanting to start. If you are like my friends and want to learn about needlepoint, this post is for you. I will be sharing everything I have learned.
I started needlepoint about 6 years ago. I had seen some projects a friend had done and got the bug to want to learn how to do it. I started by going to one of my local stores, where they were able to help me pick out a good beginner canvas ( my first project was an LLBean boot). It had simple lines, basic colors, and a simple background. Perfect for a beginner. The ladies at the store taught me a basic stitch called the Tent stitch (I have linked a good video on how to do it). From there, they led me to videos to learn more stitches.
There are some easy-to-learn basic stitches that anyone can learn. I am dyslexic, and some things are harder to understand. I had no problem learning cross stitch; I also love a French knot when stitching flowers. It gives them some depth. Once you have mastered one stitch, you can start learning other stitches. I suggest getting a blank canvas to practice on. This way, you will not mess up on a painted canvas you want to look good.
I would go with a basic canvas design when picking out your first project. Something with easy-to-follow lines, no color shading, and a few colors. Colors that will make it easy to work on your first project. This way, you will be satisfied and feel accomplished when finished. I would also pick something you could frame to make it easy to complete. Now, if you are handy with a sewing machine, you could hang an ornament or door. I hear those are easy to finish.
Once you have finished one project, you will be hooked and want to do more. You can start doing more stitches and more challenging projects at that point. I am so excited for you to start on your first project. Below I will link to projects I love, tutorial videos, resources, and stores I love to buy projects and threads from.
What you Need (needlepoint how to get started):
Canvas:
Find a canvas with a simple design and basic colors that makes you happy. Starting with a basic canvas will make it easier to work on and make you happy when you finish.
Fibers: Everyone has their favorite types of fibers. I am not too particular about what I use. The only threads I don’t cair for that much are DMC. They are the more reasonably priced fibers; you can find them at Michels, but they are thinner and don’t stay together. The size of the holes on your canvas can dictate what kind of fibers you use. Some threads are thicker than others; if they are too thick, they will be hard to pull through the holes. I like going to the needlepoint store to see and feel the threads. If you buy a kit, they come with thread that will work well with your canvas and make it easy for them to fit through the holes. The more you needlepoint, the more you get to know the fibers.
Scissors:
Small scissors with a pointy end are helpful when cutting your fibers. It will make a clean even cut. They also fit nicely in a bag. You can save money to get a good pair of scissors. Here are a $3.99 pair with a cap for the end. The ones I like the most are pretty and practical. They are more than $3.99, but they look so lovely. The ones I have are gold with a bird handle. There are others with patterned handles. Here are the bird scissors and the pattern ones.
Needle minder:
A needle minder helps you keep track of your needle when you are not using it. It is a magnet that your needle sticks to. On the front, there is a saying or design. There are so many cute needle minders. Here are a few I like I never finish anything needle minder, floral needle minder, ginger jar, ginger jar champaign bucket, tennis whites required on courts, and club pour only.
Canvas bags:
Canvas bags and bags for your fibers are essential. It helps to keep you organized, and you will always know where the fibers are that go with the current project you are working on. I only have one project bag for the current project I am working on. It makes it easy to take your project with you when going out of the house with your project. I use a bag to hold all my other fibers, scissors, and other small accessories. NDLPT project bag, marbled NDLPT monogram project bag, NDLPT project bag set, floral bag, blue toile project bag, printed clear project bag, clear ginger jar project bag, stitches clear zip pouch project bag, stripe clear project bag, nylon zip bag, and gingham project bag.
Tutorial videos:
Wellesley Needlepoint Collective
Stores:
Wellesley Needlepoint Collective
