Sewing

Textiles
Tutorials and Q&A's
Glossary
General Sewing
Serger/Overlock

Hand Sewing

Hand Sewing
Basic Stitches
Tutorials
Glossary

Needlepoint

What is Needlepoint?
Stitches in Needlepoint
Needlepoint Tools
Tutorials and Q&A's
Needlepoint Needles
Specialty Needles
Glossary
Charts and Projects
History
Needlepoint Variations
Services/Clubs/Organizations
Artists and Designers

Embroidery and Crewel Work

Embroidery Stitches
Embroidery Tools
Tutorials and Q&A's
Glossary
Artists and Designers
Embroidery Projects

Shopping

Books
Sewing Machines and Sergers
DVD and VHS Instructional
Notions
Yarn and Thread

About this site and me

You can write to me about the site to: sewnowthis@aol.com.

Sweets on the mind? Visit my site:

All the best, and thanks for visiting!
Renee Shelton

Info on sewing, needlepoint and textiles...

The Tools Used in Needlepoint
By Renee Shelton
© 2006

The wonderful thing about Needlepoint is that there is a limited amount of tools and equipment needed to start up the hobby: only a few things are really needed. Besides the canvas and yarn or thread, a few other tools are needed. The rest are good to have around for helping you or can be acquired as your experience and projects grow.

Here are some tools associated with Needlepoint: Click each to find out more information.

Canvas: What you work your needlepoint stitches on.
Yarn and Thread: The types are used and their descriptions.
Needles: Tapestry and needlepoint needles.
Specialty Needles: Other needles that are used in needlepoint
Scissors: The cutting instruments for needlepoint.
Frames: The housing that holds your canvas as you stitch.

Other Materials:

Tape: Tape is used to hold the edges of the canvas together, so that it doesn't unravel as you are working on your projects. Simple masking can be used here, about an inch wide should be sufficient. It can also cover board corners for blocking.
Seam Sealant: Seam sealant goes by brand names such as Fray Check and others. Use for any fraying or fuzzed edges on your piece.
Needle Threader: Don't worry, it's not cheating. Your main goal is to do the actual needlepoint designs. Some yarns can be difficult to thread through the eye of a needle, so these can be very helpful.
Hat Pins: For counting and for separating or easing in a stitch. You can use large needles or something similar if you have them on hand. I use old hat pins only because I had them on hand and reached for them one day to help with a stitch. That, and I didn't need to purchase an extra tool, which should be a consideration when starting.
Laying Tool: Something to hold your stitches flat, especially useful for ribbon or metallic work.
Ruler: Helping to measure canvas and mark the straight of grain or blocking.
Beeswax: To help prevent fraying or twisting of some threads.
Waterproof, indelible markers: Use waterproof markers only when marking your canvas. If you get the canvas wet you don't want the chance the marker will run and ruin the piece.
For Blocking: Plywood board larger than the actual final needlework piece and something to hold it in place such as staples or strong tacks. Do not use anything that can rust.
For Reproducing a Chart or Design: Graph or tracing paper and a pencil with an eraser.

These are the basic tools. As your needs grow, you may find you need other tools geared for the special features, unique embellishments or sewing techniques that you may add to your works.

By Renee Shelton
© 2006