Personal Needlepoint – Transferring the Design

Updated March 7, 2020.
Have you found a simple image that would be a perfect needlepoint for someone? You can use it to make a personal needlepoint. I made a project using this platypus (the school’s mascot) for my daughter when she graduated from St. John’s College in Annapolis.

Using your image, a copier, and your knowledge of the finished size, make your chosen image the right size for your finished item.

When doing this remember to leave a margin on all sides, the design will look better, and be sure to leave enough room for the other elements in your finished piece. Once you have a possible good size, put it under your needlepoint canvas to be sure there is space for the details.

Like what you see?

Using a extra fine marker made for fabric, trace the item onto your canvas.

Once it is traced, darken the lines if the area will not be white. Since the platypus is brown and black this is no problem.
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Next I charted “ti esti” and added a question mark. This is the motto that goes with the platypus. In Greek it means “What is it?” and expresses the fact that on first sight folks didn’t know if it was a bird or a mammal. I think it will fit nicely below the animal, starting near the back foot. I’ll count to be sure there is enough room and color the intersections to match the chart. Then I won’t have to carry the chart wih me.

Above the tail I want to put a monogram of SJC, so I’m looking at a vintage book, Needlework Monogram Unlimited by Barbara Borssuck that I have interlaced & modified (below). The year will go under it or above or below the bill.

The finished design looks like this:

I don’t have a picture of the stitched design, but it turned out beautifully.