Updated September 10, 2022.
A reader posted a comment which said, “Love all the different styles you do in needlepoint and mixing the stitches but what do you do with all of your needlepoint? ”
That’s a great question and one which most of us stitchers face. For years, like so many of us, I stitched but didn’t turn the finished items into anything. In other words, I completed UFO’s but I didn’t actually finish them. And I have three stuffed full boxes of needlepoint to prove it.
Several years ago I made a decision to finish the stuff I made. I’m doing pretty good at this by following some not very rigid guidelines.
1. Stockpile finishing items. If I see a box or album or something at the store (especially thrift stores) which could have needlepoint in it, I buy it. I have a basket in my studio with stuff to finish. When planning new projects, I look to these first.
For example, I have a great Doolittle canvas that is going in a Lee Tote Bag I have had for ages. The Bargello I have been making lately is going into tags & wallets to be given as gifts.
2. Plan your needlepoint for finishing. I’ve written about this before, if it’s going to be a picture, make it the size of a standard frame or matte (and you do stockpile frames when they are on sale, don’t you?) I just started a project that will go into a vintage Sudberry candy dish.
3. Before you begin a project, figure out where it will go. The reason I have those boxes of stitched needlepoint is that I didn’t stitch with a purpose. I’d pull something from the stash which I liked and would stitch it. It went from unstitched stash to stitched stash. Big difference. Now I don’t pull something from the stash unless I have a plan for it. Yes, the canvases mostly stay there, but they did that before and I do look through that stash more often.
Does this always work? No. But I am getting better and have added significantly to the boxes under the daybed.
You can see all my posts about finishing, organized by topic in Let’s Get . . . Finishing.
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
Mary Lou Heinig says
Janet,
I enjoy your column daily. My problem is not unfinished finished projected but all the unfinished projectes I have! I am trying not to start new ones but that is difficult. I have a lot of canvases not started in my stash at home. I just want to complete my unfinished stash. Unfortunately, I am not a fast stitcher but a pretty steady one except when the “down” cycle in my life hits. I have been working on the goal and making some progress for which I am pleased and rejoice every time I complete one. I am then overjoyed to have it framed or whatever. I often give pillows to dear friends who appreciate the time and effort which go into the process. I have also quite buying new projects except for a very precious few. I am trying to do ornaments for my grandchildren and special things for them that hopefully will be handed down in the generations. Keep writing and expanding your ideas.
Betsy Post says
great topic. I always follow your #3 rule – determine the final project before you get started. My favorite project is where I have a vision of the needlepoint – a picture, a stitch pattern (I do alot of bargello) and then I FIRST pick the fabric that will accompany the piece (for a pillow, tote bag, whatever). If I don’t like the fabric, how can I ever like the needlepoint project? Then I pick threads using colors from the fabric. It’s alot easier to match threads to fabric than to match fabric to pre-stitched threads. This sounds kinda corny but I think of my fabric as my muse and I keep it nearby to inspire me to make the needlework sing. I just bought a yard of indigo dyed Bali-type batik fabric and can’t wait to start the stitching that will match it. And I have stitched Janet’s cat scrap bag pattern using bits and pieces of other fabric – making a small pin cushion or bookmark.
Amy says
Excellent advice, Janet!
You can also share a photo of the finished needlepoint on my website. I’m collecting photos of the best patterns. https://www.embroidery-methods.com/needlepoint-patterns.html
Please share your favorite, and I’d be happy to exchange a link back to your blog!