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Finishing a Needlepoint Yarmulke

By Peggy Bond:

How to finish off a needlepoint kippah.

As an example the mosaic needlepoint yarlmuke has been made with four blank triangular areas. These are the “darts” which will be sewn together to give the yarmulke its shape.

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After your yarmulke canvas has been stitched and blocked, trim the canvas leaving a ¼ boarder beyond the stitching. Save this extra canvas and use it as a pattern for the lining. I recommend using 100% quilting-weight cotton for the lining.

Mark darts on the lining to match those of the yarmulke.

Yarmulke with darts sewn

Sew the dart on the canvas together. Steam press the edges of the darts to one side, so they lay flat and form a smooth rounded shape on the top of the yarmulke. Repeat for the lining, pressing the dart in the opposite direction of the direction that you pressed the canvas. 

With wrong sides together, stitch the lining and canvas together at the edge of the needlepointing. Trim as needed so that the ¼ inch bias tape can be attached to the outside edge, covering the unstitched canvas.

Finished yarmulke

The materials I used were:

1 black fat quarter of cotton quilting-weight fabric
1 package Wrights’ ¼ inch double fold bias tape.

I stitched the yarmulke, lining, and bias tape on my home sewing machine, but it can also be hand stitched, which will take just a little bit longer.

At NeedlePaint, let us create a custom yarmulke canvas for you to stitch!

NeedlePaint Turns Your Favorite Games Into Your New Favorite Needlepoint Accessories!

Here at NeedlePaint, we’ve been inspired by our favorite games, and have created some new needlepoint accessories you’ll love stitching, as well as using after they are finished. We’ve also discovered that both needlepointing and playing games, share some amazing benefits.

Playing a fun game provides for a break from the routine of day to day life. Games let you reconnect with family and friends, and enable you to enjoy the social aspects of spending time with those, whose company you love. Playing games are also a great way to get everyone involved, young and old, in one single activity.

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Rack ’em up! Our new Billiards needlepoint wallet canvas, is fun for both the novice and competitive player. A game of great skill, accuracy, calculated moves, and precision study. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have paid attention in geometry class, as knowledge of angles can really boost your game. Just look out for that eight ball . . . it will always cause you trouble. This wallet will definitely add some color to your back pocket.

Did you know that needlepointing has some of the same benefits as playing billiards? Both improve analytical thinking, require planning, decision making, and are great for your eye-hand coordination.

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There’s no spell check in this game!  Our Custom Classic Word Game needlepoint belt canvas, lets you create a custom phrase, spell out a quick message, list your kids names, or use our shown phrase “May the force be with you”. A fun belt to stitch and later to wear on family game night. Obi Wan Kenobi would love wearing this belt!

Needlepointing and word games are well known for keeping your mind sharp, as well as providing exercise for the brain, helping to maintaining memory function. Both require a certain level of singular focus, and concentration. No multi-tasking, necessary. 

Poker Needlepoint wallet

Ante Up! With our Poker needlepoint wallet canvas you will be the envy of all of your poker buddies. This is a game of chance, and it never hurts to have a fair amount of skill. Knowing when to bet and when to fold are crucial to your success of this game. You’ll enjoy opening this wallet and tossing a five spot onto the kitty.

Needlepointing and the game of poker develop logical thinking and develop concentration to help expand your long term ability to focus.

Check Mate! Stitch our Chess Needlepoint belt canvas for the novice or a competition player of the game of chess. We have designed this belt with that familiar game board and all of its pieces: pawns, rooks, knights, bishop, king and the queen. We guarantee stitching this needlepoint belt canvas will be easier than playing the game of chess.

Needlepointing and the game of chess, increase your creativity, exercise both sides of your brain, along with lowering your stress levels and blood pressure.

It’s time to enjoy a little down time, relax, reconnect with family and friends while playing a game; or do a little needlepointing . . . especially if you’ve had too much family togetherness. Calculate your next move and enjoy stitching your new NeedlePaint projects!

Finding Needlepoint Belt Design Inspiration In Unlikely Places

With the warmer weather upon us, we definitely take notice of the living creatures that have been missing all winter; only to have made new homes and habitats in our backyards. Some of these creatures are sweet and friendly; the rabbit that likes to eat your flowers. Some annoying; the wasps that have made a new nest in your wind chime. And some . . . we’ve just never seen in our backyard before. This month at NeedlePaint, we’ve taken inspiration from nature, and have created two new needlepoint belts canvases. 

gecko belt blog

Our first new creation is the Southwestern Gecko needlepoint belt canvas; inspired by a sighting in my own backyard, and from some ancient cliff dwelling drawings. We’ve added a modern southwestern color twist to this gecko who runs along the length of our needlepoint belt. These gecko’s are clever, and secretive, and famous for climbing sheer vertical surfaces, walking up a wall, or hanging from the ceiling. What’s not to love about this lizard.

frog blog

Another NeedlePaint nature inspired creation, is our Green Frog needlepoint belt canvas. Jumping across the length of this belt, who doesn’t have a vivid childhood memory of trying to catch that one elusive frog at the nearby pond or ditch. Too bad Mom, wouldn’t let you keep him! 

These belts are both colorful, both playful, both great for young and old. Available as a belt canvas you can stitch yourself, or a completely finished belt. This is the perfect sized needlepoint project to take on a vacation; it’s smaller, more manageable, and will fit into your carry-on, or in your car’s glove box.

We hope that you enjoy your summer, and embrace what nature has to offer. Even if it’s not cute and fuzzy!

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A “never seen before” visitor to my back yard . . . design inspiration!

Our English Bulldog Needlepoint Kits Are Packed Full Of Personality!

It is probably no surprise to you, that here at NeedlePaint we love our dogs! They are all so different in size, shape, and personality; and the perfect inspiration for designing new dog themed needlepoint kits, such as belts, pillows, wallets, and flasks. It’s hard to pick a favorite dog breed, but I would have to say the English Bulldog is definitely one of my favorites. This dog is clever, devoted and has so much personality both in physical appearance and attitude. There is a lot of love in all of those wrinkles!

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We’ve designed this English Bulldog needlepoint belt canvas with three perfectly playful poses. 

This breed of dog has a special spot in my heart, after once dog sitting my next door neighbors English Bulldog. This dog was getting on in years and I know her people were a little nervous about leaving, as she did everything with them. I would check in several times a day, and by day three, I could tell she desperately missed her people. It didn’t look as though she had been sleeping in her bed, but on the rug by the front door. I decided to bring a book with me on my next visit, found a comfortable spot next to her bed and began to read out loud. Two hours later, I think she enjoyed the book as much as I did or maybe having someone nearby was the remedy. Finally falling asleep in her bed, I could tell she was comfortable and content by the rhythmic snoring that was taking place. Her people came back the next day, and life was back to normal for this sweet old English Bulldog. I wouldn’t have guessed that this dog would have left such a special spot in my heart, but she did.

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Full of personality and interest, our English Bulldog needlepoint pillow canvas
will definitely add some life to your living space.

You’ve heard the saying, “they come into our lives, steal our hearts, and life will never be the same again”, . . . so very true! At NeedlePaint, we feature many breeds of dogs on our belts, pillows, wallets, flasks, and even offer custom dog needlepoint kits taken from your own photos.

These are all available as needlepoint canvases for you to stitch, or if you prefer we will do the stitching for you. This is a great way to celebrate or commemorate, the dog that touched your heart.

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Fun, playful, and practical! Our English Bulldog needlepoint wallet canvas will add some
long needed personality to that tired old wallet in your back pocket.

Personalize a Nautical Flag Needlepoint Pillow For Your Family

I’ve driven by the same local shopping center for over twenty years. When they first moved in, I thought their nautical theme a bit strange as we are located in “landlocked” Denver. Not a location where serious boating happens, but a place where family time is spent skiing down the slopes of the Rocky Mountains. This shopping center’s sign proudly displayed their name “Marina Pointe” flanked with colorful graphic squares, of which I assumed had something to do with boating. I didn’t think much more about this sign, until I noticed all of the nautical belts that customers order here at NeedlePaint. As the placement of these flags varied, I soon realized they were spelling out a message, not just randomly placed; and then the idea for a personalized nautical flag needlepoint pillow began.

Screen Shot 2018-05-02 at 1.29.12 PMNautical Flag Alphabet

After further exploration (and some help from Seth’s sailing expertise), I discovered these colorful nautical signal flags began before short wave radio, as an easy and safe way to relay messages to other boats and people on shore. Each of these flags represents a letter of the alphabet or a phrase.

IMG_0314Sketching some new ideas for a nautical pillow.

In today’s busy world, it’s important to connect with family members, whether it be spending quality “unplugged” time together at home or through outdoor activities like boating or sailing. When your not sailing, creating a comforting tranquil home environment, and surrounding yourself with the things that are meaningful is key. Incorporating personal items your grandmother made, your kids created in school, or that you have hand stitched; help save the memories your family has created together. This is truly what makes a living space “a home”.

1823022233953342Our new needlepoint design for a personalized nautical pillow.

We’ve created this nautical pillow to remind you of the times your family has spent on the water together. Personalized with your last name and the coordinating nautical flags that represent each letter. Available as a needlepoint canvas for you to stitch, or if you prefer we will do the stitching and create your pillow. Happy Sailing!