Susan Battle, owner of The Point of It All in Washington, DC has just made a set of free videos showing the basics of how to do needlepoint.
I just watched them and can’t recommend then highly enough. Susan’s explanations are clear, the photography is sharp and close enough so you can actually see how she does everything.
She has chosen to teach Continental Stitch, which is the easiest stitch to teach. But she does more than that, shoe shows you how to thread a needle (using my favorite needle threader), how to start and stop threads, and has videos talking about threads and additional stitches.
Her enthusiasm for needlepoint and her expertise come through every one of these.
I must confess that when I stitch Continental, I don’t turn the canvas upside down on every other row. The reason for doing this has always eluded me, but seeing Susan’s video, I know understand when people do this. I probably won’t change the way I stitch, but the pieces clicked into place for me.
Thanks an a tip of the hat to Barbara Bergston for posting about them.
I love these videos and you will too!
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
These are nice videos. I’ve always flipped my canvas every row. Now you’re tempting me to try the Continental without flipping.
I did change a habit recently when I read a tutorial somewhere that described how you should start a basketweave from the lower left instead of the upper right. I think it does make the stitches look better, but I don’t know why.
This is absolutely ludicrous!! After 40 years of designing and teaching myself, I cannot believe people are still doing continenetal stitch. Please see my tutorial I’m preparing hopefull on my blog by tonight. All one has to do is try it to see the difference.
Judy —
I’d have to disagree. While I prefer Basketweave, I think there are many good reasons to use Continental and many more good reasons to make it the first stitch you teach brand new stitchers. Please see my post on the subject, later today.
Keep Stitching,
Janet