Updated October 29, 2021.
I feel as if I had to do a needlepoint intervention on myself. You probably do as well. Those of us who are thread savers can often find ourselves with many small bits of threads.
There isn’t enough to do larger areas, and the threads might not be appropriate for that. Even so we can find great ways to use up those bits and pieces. I had a huge pile of metallics and decided to stitch this vintage mini-sock to use them up. When I couldn’t get the drawer with the #12 Kreinik open, I knew I needed an intervention.
Clearly, if I am going to reduce the stash I would have to intervene and use up those metallics.
The little mini-sock about (from eBay) is the first piece. Except for the outlines and the pink, it’s stitched completely in metallic.
I wouldn’t have stitched it that way if I didn’t have the problem. But I really like the way it turned out. The blue I used for the background stripes is just lovely (but I used it all up). The texture contrast between the more matte violet and white) and the glittery darker blue is just great. And I love the way the red is a chameleon, looking shiny against the white, but almost matte against the darker blue.
If you want to do this yourself, look for inexpensive canvases with small areas of many colors. Some of my favorites are the Susan Roberts quilts and the Maggie Co folk art. You want designs where it will not be a problem if you have to change colors or threads from one area to the next of the same color.
Once you have picked and mounted your canvas go to your overflowing threads a pull every thread that matches the colors in your canvas. Put everything into a project bag. Stitch the bits that will use your leftovers first. Once this is complete, look for areas that tie the piece together. For those, don’t use your odds and end, but use a single thread.
At the present moment, my drawers of hand-dyed wool and multi-colored pearl cotton are too full. I have canvases that will work for both threads, from Maggie’s folk art. I’ll be able to stitch several of these and reduce some of the stash! It’s a different way to do scrap bag needlepoint but lots of fun. You’ll find threads you had forgotten about.
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
It would be great if one was able to enlarge your photos on the screen to get a closer look.
Often I hit on a canvas and it enlarges.
In general stitch diagrams are shown full size, so they cannot be enlarged. Quite often pictures of my work are not available in larger sizes.
When practical and possible larger sizes are available. If that it the case the cursor turns to a finger when it’s placed over the picture.
Keep Stitching,
Janet