Well you thought embroidery was not your cup of tea! Guess you'll havea change of mind when you try your hand at needlepoint. Needlepoint is definedas "any countedor free stitchery worked by hand with a threaded needle on a readily countableground." Thisprogressive definition encourages creativity through a traditional and contemporaryapproach.Needlepoint is regarded as a soothing activity that creates durable and attractiveobjectsfor domestic use. This art is easy to learn, and as long as you know how to handleyour needleandyour yarn, shouldn't be difficult.Traditionally, needlepoint has been embroidery done on canvas, using wool to execute the tent stitch. While such embroideries are needlepoint, today's needlepointer has available a much broader palette of stitches and technique The wide range of materials and techniques available to today's needle worker allows for maximum individual expression.
Differences between embroidery, cross-stich and needlepoint:
Many people get confused with embroidery, needlepoint and crossstich.All three are different types of stitches used in knitting and their work pattern is completely different from each other. While embroidery is used for some delicate and intricate work, cross-stitch is used anywhere that any other stitch can be formed and needlepoint is canvas embroidery.
Embroidery refers to the decoration of a stitchable ground with thread, by hand or by machine, sometimes including other, non-thread materials such as mirrors, buttons, beads, charms or found objects.
Cross-stitch is not only the term used to refer to a type of stitching, but is also the name of a stitch used in any kind of decorative stitching. Cross-stitching usually refers to a design done completely in cross stitches.
Through the years, "needlepoint" has become a term that is inclusive of more kinds of work than simple tent stitch in wool on canvas, especially in the United States. Some stitchers refer to it as stitchery done on a canvas ground as "canvas work" instead of "needlepoint."
Different kinds of Stitches:
Many other names exist for different types of stitchery, and these terms also do not exclude some other types of stitchery that may also go by other names. Here are a few: pulled work, drawn work, Hardanger, blackwork, goldwork, bargello, voided ground, silk and metal embroidery,surface embroidery, crewel, Japanese embroidery, Brazilian embroidery and ribbon embroidery.
The secret to a perfectly blocked piece of embroidery is in the initial preparation of the canvas prior to stitching. Use narrow wooden stretcher bars and brass tacks rather than roller bars to mount the canvas. Attach the canvas securely to the stretcher bars with the tacks placed no further than 1/2" apart on all sides, working from the center of each side to the corners. When attached, the canvas should be taut, true to grain and ready for stitching.
With traditional methods, blocking canvas embroidery is usually done once the embroidery has been completed, just before it is either framed or taken to a finisher. The embroidery is removed from the frame, dampened, then stretched back into its original shape on a blocking board and left to dry, usually for about 24 hours.
Keep your embroidery clean as you work, eliminating the need to have your work cleaned before it is framed or taken to the finisher. Oil and unseen grime from your hands as well as the dustand smoke in our everyday environment can easily soil the canvas and working threads. To protect your canvas and fibers, secure a piece of tissue paper or clean unbleached muslin over the canvas, leaving a small opening over the working area.
Every fun loving person would love this art and who would `nt as along as you are given a ready base to work on. All you have to do is run your stitches across it and you would be amazed at the wonderful creation laid before your eyes, done in much lesser time than embroidery or any other stitches. This activity using needles is great fun when you are traveling and have leisure time.
