Recently Pippin has come out with an adorable line of small canvases, packaged as complete kits. They include everything you need both to stitch and to finish the project, including instructions. The line is called PDQ for Pippin Darn Quick. Currently there are nine designs in the line.
All of the designs are on 18-mesh canvas. This is unlike the company’s First Stitch kits, which are on 12 mesh and the majority of her line which is on 13 mesh.
The kits include:
- painted canvas
- thread
- #5 pearl cotton
- needle
- frame
Instructions are on the back of the card pictured above. Although they say that the kit can be stitched in Basketweave or Continental, although only a diagram was included for Basketweave. This concerns me because in the description of Basketweave there is no mention of canvas grain, meaning that the stitcher may get ridges in the work. The explanation of Tent (Continental) is correct but also brief. A better choice for beginners would be to teach Continental because results will be better and more consistent.
The framing instructions looked correct (I’m still stitching). Some might, however, object to using glass over the stitching.
I did like that the instructions suggested using stretcher bars.
When you buy the kit all the threads are combined in one loose knot, as in the picture above. Your first step will be to separate the colors and knot each by itself. There appears to be plenty of thread to finish the canvas.
In the series of kits five of the designs (tree, witch, heart, flower pot, and chair0 have completely white backgrounds. Three designs (pomegranate, boat, and teapot) have a mostly white background with a base of some kind. Only one design, the mug, has a completely colored background.
Although the instructions say to stitch in Basketweave, I decided to add some texture to enhace the design. All the white wa stitched in Tent. Te yellow seeds were small Cross Stitches. The pomegranate and grass are in Tent. My plan is to make the swirls stand out by stitching them in Whipped Chainstitch. I’ll finish it in a Studio Decor ornament frame (reviewed here) instead of the frame that came woth it.
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 really cute I can see that stitching one would go really fast. I would like to, but never stitch these small canvases The usual ideas of turning them into coasters or ornaments, DIY boxes etc etc etc
do not appeal to me at all…I would love to hear how stitchers have made these small finished canvases into something useful………..putting another useless geegaw into the world does not appeal to me at all…….hoping to hear what others have done…………