Quick and Easy Needlepoint
By: Jerry Cahill

Needlepoint is a canvas work that can be described as hand-made embroidery, using canvas and wool threads. What makes the needlepoint different is that it is done manually all the way. The stitching threads used may be of wool, silk, cotton or combinations, such as wool and silk. Other materials that can be used are metallic cord, metallic braid, ribbon, or raffiia. Stitches may be plain, covering just one mesh intersection with a single orientation, or fancy, such as in Bargello. Needlepoint is an artistic activity that can relax the mind. People that practice it, say that it fills them with creative energy and it does not require any special skills.

The needlepoint finds many applications; it can be made into pillows or upholstery, or may be displayed on the wall, put in holiday ornaments, purses, stuffed stand-up figures, or even rugs.

Initially, wool threads were used for needlepoint, but nowadays there are many different materials and technologies available. Prior to stitching, the canvas has to be prepared, by using brass tacks and narrow wooden stretcher bars. During all the operations, it is vital to keep the canvas clean to save the difficulties that may occur afterwards. Keep the threads clean from dust and smoke.

The two main styles that have evolved in needlepoint are the Berlin wool work and the Bargello and Hungarian point. The Berlin wool work style started in Berlin, Germany, early in the 19th century. When used, it produces very durable and long lasting pieces of embroidery that could be used as furniture covers, cushions, bags, or even on clothing. The Bargello needlepoint style consists of upright straight stitches of different lengths and colors which produce a characteristic wavy pattern. It is also known as the Florentine work, because it was created in Florence. It is used on pillows, upholstery and even carpets, but not for clothing. In most traditional pieces all stitches are vertical.

Needlepoint requires patience, and it takes tons of work, because a small canvas with the size of a business card takes about 100,000 stitches to complete or 45 hours. Thus a needlepoint requires an incredible investment of time and energy. Every image you can think of can be worked into needlepoint.

A successful and appealing needlepoint project strikes a balance between the choice of yarn, choice of pattern, choice of color and choice of canvas. The color is the first choice to make because of the impact color has on our moods. Consider the color wheel and keep it simple. For your needlepoint here are some suggestions for choosing the colors to use.

Keep the choice of colors for your project to two or three colors. You can use lighter or darker versions of the colors but overall, don't use too many different colors, because this can make even the greatest idea appear ugly. Make sure the background color does not overwhelm the accent colors or that it is not too insipid for the design. Don't use one color that overpowers the others, all the colors should be close to each other and differ smoothly.