Welcome to the world of needlepoint: Picking your first project!
You want to start stitching but don’t know where to begin? First off… welcome to the wonderful world of needlepoint!
It doesn't matter whether you’re a brand new stitcher or you’re just coming back to needlepoint after some time off. We are here for you at KC Needlepoint, no matter where you are in your stitching journey!
It doesn't matter whether you’re a brand new stitcher or you’re just coming back to needlepoint after some time off. We are here for you at KC Needlepoint, no matter where you are in your stitching journey!
Going into a needlepoint shop for the first time can feel intimidating. It can seem daunting to pick out your first canvas- there are so many different designs to choose from! Don’t worry if you don’t know the correct terminology, or are unsure what supplies you need to purchase- we are here to help.
Today we’re aiming to demystify the process and give you a few pointers that you may want to take into consideration when you pick out your first canvas.
There are certainly no hard and fast rules, but as a newer stitcher you may find it easier to pick a canvas that’s on the smaller side. If you pick a larger project, you may feel like you’re not making progress quickly and like things are dragging along. Try an ornament, a clutch or a small tray instead of a pillow or stocking for your first canvas. Pick something you can work through quickly and gain the confidence you need to move on to the next project!
If you’ve never stitched before, it can be helpful to consider the overall shape of the canvas. Squares and rectangles give you clear cut lines and edges. It’s easier to start your next row!
Needlepoint canvases are painted on different “mesh counts.” This refers to the number of canvas intersections to a linear inch. The two most common sizes are 18 count canvas and 13/14 count canvas. The larger the number, the more intersections to the linear inch and thus, the smaller the holes. Again, there are no hard and fast rules, but as a newer stitcher, you may find it easier to work on 13 mesh than 18 for your first project.
4. Look for something that is “stitch painted” and steer clear of shading
Click here to shop the Mediterranean Clutch
Click here to shop the Mediterranean Clutch
While picking a project with lots of shading and tons of different colors may be tempting, if you are new to needlepoint, you may want to pick a “stitch painted” project. What does this mean? A stitch painted canvas is a canvas with one color to each canvas intersection. This means that it is very clear cut which color should go where on the design. Needlepointing is a lot like "paint by numbers", meaning that you will place the blue thread where the blue intersections are on the canvas and so on. But you still don't want to be struggling to tell the difference between a ton of shades of a color. The vast majority of canvases that you will find on our website are stitch painted.
5. Make sure you have the right tools
Any project is made easier with the right tools! To start stitching, the most important ones are a good pair of embroidery scissors, a needle threader and a needle. Fortunately for you, any canvas ordered off our website will automatically come with the correct needle to use.
If you want to upgrade your supplies, or just don't have what you need, our Stitching Essentials Bag is a must have. It includes scissors, a needle threader, a magnet (to hold your needle), floss away bags (to hold your threads) and a canvas bag to keep all your stitching tools in one place.
If you want to upgrade your supplies, or just don't have what you need, our Stitching Essentials Bag is a must have. It includes scissors, a needle threader, a magnet (to hold your needle), floss away bags (to hold your threads) and a canvas bag to keep all your stitching tools in one place.
Above all, pick a design you’re excited about! If you don’t love the canvas, you won’t be excited to pick it up time and time again. Needlepointing isn’t necessarily a fast process, but it can be so relaxing and rewarding! If you need any extra help, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call or send us an email! We’re so excited for you and your stitching journey! You'll be stitching with confidence in no time.
Click here to shop our collection of “Great for Beginner” canvases. You'll find all the canvases above in that category, plus lots of other great options!
Click here to shop our collection of “Great for Beginner” canvases. You'll find all the canvases above in that category, plus lots of other great options!