![time to stitch clock needlepoint canvas](https://nuts-about-needlepoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/time-comp-e1523734576122-300x282.jpg)
As a largely self-taught needlepointed, I have little patience with the self-appointed needlepoint police. The fact of the matter is that the folks who are quick to criticize, quick to point out that needlepoint is an “expensive hobby,” or insist that things be done the “right way” take much of the joy out of needlepoint. They create an unfair picture of our art, they discourage new stitchers, and they turn what could be for so many a fulfilling pleasure into a closed clique.
When I hear from folks like these, see their comments on social media, or hear how they have hurt and discouraged stitchers new and experienced my heart breaks. They do more to prevent new stitchers than they encourage existing ones.
I’m reminded of a woman who once owned a shop near me. She had a little group of invited stitchers who sat at a table in her shop with her and stitched all day. The owner often looked on customers (i.e. folks who were buying things from her) as interruptions. She would throw you out of her shop if she didn’t like where you bought your canvas. And she wouldn’t let folks touch threads. She actually kept a bulletin board at the front of her store with one of each thread tacked on it. Not so you knew what she carried, but so you would touch only those. By her policing and cliquish behavior she prevented area stitchers from trying needlepoint.
That’s needlepoint policing with a vengeance. Today’s needlepoint police don’t have far to go to catch up.
It took me many years of stitching to learn Basketweave. Not because I find it hard, but because no explanation I read made sense to me. I have no idea if I make some stitches correctly or not; I make them the way that makes sense to me. I happily stitch Continental often because I like it. That’s how we should stitch, open to others and to learning new things, but stitching because we like what we do.
I indulge in plenty of bad needlepoint habits and rarely do I stitch towards perfection. I stitch because it meets so many needs. It relaxes me and feeds me creativity. When I stitch I can feel productive, something that is often too lacking in my life.
And, let’s face it, isn’t that really what needlepoint is for? To create, calm us, make us happy, and make beauty.
Now your idea of beauty and mine might be totally different. Your idea of the perfect way to stitch a canvas and mine certainly will differ. You might love tons of glitz and be delighted at acres of French Knots and tricky stitches. You might be stitching your umpteenth rug, while I struggle to finish a small pillow. But that does not matter, what does matter is the result — not in what we stitch but in that we stitched we like. That’s not something any Needlepoint Police can take from us!
For more thoughts on this and a great list of what is not “wrong” to do in needlepoint, read Tricia Heaton’s great post.
What do you think?
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
Needlepoint has been my salvation for the past year…my son, my best friend, my next door neighbor all died within 3 months…I am so grateful to have needlepoint …. a place to go to be mindful with my thoughts completely focused. The rules and finer points are the least of the matter. While my son lived with pancreatic cancer I stitched a gingerbread boy doll for him to write a msg of love for his 1 yr old grandson. I have two beautiful pieces to show for my “therapy” that are no making someone else happy. It doesn’t get much better………
Janet,
You are so spot on!
I taught myself cross-stitch and still struggle with making French Knots…..and I’ve been stitching for almost 50 years!
Like you, I stitch for relaxation – and studies have proven that – like anything else – once you get past the initial frustration of learning anything new, needlework – in all it’s forms – helps to lower your blood pressure and maintain it.
Are my projects perfect? Far from it. As I prefer counted cross-stitch it’s very easy for me to inadvertently swap colors where they symbols are very similar. Sometimes I catch it and sometimes I don’t.
The attitude of some shop owners is one of the main reasons I purchase my kits and/or materials online…….who wants to deal with such tsuris?
At her request, I recently taught my niece how to knit and crochet…….she has also mentioned thinking about learning how to stitch.
I think that everyone has a path that works for them and they should follow that path. I stitch in hand…just mess up with a frame (you wouldn’t believe how badly) and my dear friend doesn’t stitch anything without her frame. Stitching does not have to be competitive. I stitch for relaxation and the beautiful colors. I think stitchers should strive for inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness.
I totally agree. I stitch for pleasure. Sure I like to try new stitches but I like continental also
I encourage my customers to just have fun. But also encourage them to play with theircanvas
Love the colors, love the tactile experience of wonderful threads, love the challenge of learning new stitches, love planning my next project and which of my family or friend will be the LUCKY recipient. And I never worry about the back of my creation (which is a total mess) because no one ever sees it anyway.
Here’s to just having a good time.
I taught myself to xstitch when my xhusband was in the Army & I spent lots of time alone after the kids went bed. I’ve been stitching for about 40 years & never have I done a stitch that I haven’t had to pull out. I’m easily frustrated so I tend to lean more toward simply. The back is always a message, no matter how hard I try. I’ve done a couple of needlepoint, I like it but haven’t done it in years. I’ve been giving thought to knitting/crocheting but not exactly sure how to even get started so…
I stitch my own designs. Often LNSs in my area don’t want to give me time and attention because I only by thread. I spend hundreds of dollars over time on the threads and resent that my trade is not appreciated. I have found a LNS that is a little further from my home that is very nice and I will go out of my way to use it.
BTW: for years I thought that the owners of all my mother’s knit shops were mean, evil women. We should be supporting one another in our making efforts.
Over the years, I have been shocked, and sometimes embarrassed, when owners/employees of shops (stitching, craft, framing) have told me what I “can’t” do. I have even been intimidated into buying items I didn’t want because those people knew what I “should” have and do. When I followed my own vision, usually the work turned out great (at least to me), and when it didn’t turn out so great, then I had learned something–never a bad thing. I take comfort in the idea that when others know only one “right” way, and I can think of many possibilities, it’s because they aren’t actually so creative and I can enjoy my own creativity.
Oh my – perfection is lovely but not necessary for great enjoyment. I love Alison Cole’s 24” rule – if it looks good to the naked eye at 24” – you are good to go. I am taking my Royal School of Needlework certificate. On my first module -crewel – while I passed, I got less than 90 points out of 136. Their comments were valid – some I didn’t care about, some I said I would do better next time. But overall I loved my piece, framed it and hung it in a place of honor . We learn, get better. Not everything has to be perfect – as long as it is a little better than the last one?
The contrast can be amazing! I spend half my year In Birmingham, Michigan. The shop owner there, hugs me when I come in, has made an effort to get to know me, always has time for questions and is very encouraging!!
The shop in Naples, Florida, on the other hand…not one thing is priced! So you have to get help for each thread, and they are super snotty about it!! Even trunk shows, you have to inquire on each piece. Definitely not a hang out!!
I needlepoint for the pure enjoyment of it and at times for the pure frustration of learning a new stitch.
It is wonderful therapy that I think we all enjoy. There is no such thing as perfect…..someone can always say that it can be done better. I learn something new every time I stitch and hopefully improve my abilities. I hope we all encourage and support new needlepointers without putting ” perfect” in the comments of their work. Enjoy your stitching…..life is short.
Thank you for this blog on the “Needlepoint Police!” I totally agree with you & appreciate that you are voicing it & “putting it out there!” One time I was at my LNS working on a canvas & another customer came in. She stopped to look at what I was working on then she flipped it over to look at the back of it! I was totally shocked! As I told the LNS owners afterwards, when I admire the dress someone is wearing, I never lift up their skirt to look underneath it! How dare she look under my “skirt?”
Thanks to everyone for these great comments. It’s making my computer installation day MUCH better.
Keep ’em coming!
Keep stitching,
Janet
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on Trish’s fab article and your experience with the Needlepoint Police. I’m shocked by the negative experiences others have had. Although I’ve been stitching on and off for years, we don’t have LNSs and I hadn’t made contact with other needlepointers until more recently so I hadn’t come across this attitude. It saddens me that anyone would want to discourage or curb someone else’s enjoyment. Like everyone here, I stitch for fun and relaxation and if I can encourage others to access the same good feelings I get from stitching then all the better! Fingers crossed the NP get the memo![😉](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f609.svg)