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Posts tagged ‘needlepoint door hanger’

Pulled Yarn Stitches with a Silver Lining

Written by Peggy Bond

After my first foray into pulled yarn stitching, I was anxious to try one with color. Using the combination of the pulled yarn star and traditional reversed scotch stitches, I created a two-colored background that lets the silver lining of the I Love Mom ornament shine through.

I stitched the heart, “I Mom”, and background between the letters and image with the continental stitch before starting the pulled yarn star/reversed scotch background. 

Stitched Canvas

Each reversed scotch block and pulled yarn star is 8 horizontal by 8 vertical threads. The reversed scotch blocks should be completed before the pulled yarn stars, particularly if the canvas is not on a stretcher.

By starting the reserved scotch blocks at the center top of the canvas and working diagonally downward as shown above the location of a diagonal row of stars is created. For this ornament, the stars alternate with the scotch blocks, but they can also be randomly positioned. It is important that the stars be worked from the center outward. Since the stars are a different color than the scotch block, each was work independently and ends tied off and hidden so that they are not seen.

Reversed scotch block

So now the background lining! The ornament has only three colors. I did not like the idea of using black. Nether white nor red would show off the holes for the pulled yarn stars. Maybe gold or silver? I tested a silver lining of aluminum foil. I liked how it looked. I went looking for fabric and found stretch satin silver fabric at my local fabric store.

Satin Silver Fabric

To finish the ornament, I used red felt for the backing, quilt batting for padding, a cardboard stiffener, and silver braid for trim and hanger.

Ornament elements

My two pulled yard projects have been done on 18-point canvases and now I am ready for something bigger and maybe better….

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have at: info@needlepaint.com

Happy Stitching!

Give Pulled Yarn Stitching a Try

Written by Peggy Bond

Pulled yarn stitches are often overlooked for needlepointing canvases because they do not fully cover the canvas. However, they can be used with conventional stitches and have some advantages as backgrounds. Firstly, they can be worked up quickly and secondly, they are lacy allowing a differently colored backing to show through.   

This Be Mine Valentine needlepoint ornament kit finished as a door hanger, has a pink felt backing that gives the background behind the heart, the look of checked gingham.
Up close, this is not the case.

When working pulled yarn, it is important to keep consistent tension or pull. This is what creates the pattern. The best pulled yarn stitches have equilateral pull which minimizes distortion.

The 4-sided over 3 pattern shown here is a good example. Notice the direction of the stitches:

1 – left to right

2 – bottom left to top

3 – bottom right to top

4 – bottom left to right

The back will show a large cross stitch (X) as shown above.

My original idea for this project was to back the canvas the same felt as used for the frame. The red felt did not show through. However, the bright pink felt showed well and tied the red and pink of the heart together. Below is a photo of the four layers that used for the hanger.

This project was stitched with white thread on white canvas and had a hot pink backing. Alternatively, it could be done with red thread on the white canvas and a white or sparkling backing. There are many options, and the only caution would be not to try pulled yarn stitches on a printed background. Pulling the stitches will expose the white of the unprinted canvas.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have at: info@needlepaint.com

Happy Stitching!

Give The Gift Of Needlepoint This Mother’s Day!

“Mom’s smiles can brighten any moment,
Mom’s hugs put joy in our days,
Mom’s love will stay with us forever
and touch our lives in precious ways” . . . . 

This year skip the flowers and the candy — stitch a thoughtful gift to show your mom how much you love her today and the other 364 days of the year! These NeedlePaint Mother’s Day Kits will look great finished as a door hanger, a charming ornament, or even perhaps a softly scented sachet. 

Best Mom Ever Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“Once upon a memory, someone wiped away a tear.
Held me close and loved me, thank you mother dear.”

Soccer Mom Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“There is no blessing quite so dear, as a mom like you to love year after year.”

Mother Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“Of all the special joys in life, the big ones and the small,
a mother’s love and tenderness is the greatest of them all.” 

Number One Mom Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”

Super Mom Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.”

I Love Mom Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“Mom you’ve given me two things. One is roots, the other wings.”

Is your mother the one in the family who loves to stitch?
Give her a needlepoint gift certificate that will lead to hours of enjoyment!

Contact us with any questions that you may have. If you would like to purchase a gift certificate that can be printed out on your home computer, please let us know at: info@needlepaint.com

Stitch a thoughtful gift for your Mom!