High Quality needlepoint canvases and kits from Europe and hand-painted American needlepoint canvases and kits.  We know it's becoming harder to find a good neighborhood needlepoint store, especially one with a good selection of top-quality pieces.  So we've collected the "good stuff" here in one place.  Somewhere on this site is just the right piece that is perfect for your next needlepoint project.  So, take a breath, take your time and choose from some of the world's best designers and manufacturers.  You will benefit from our nearly 40 years of gathering this information and developing relationships with these most renowned European and English designers and manufacturers.  It's a wonderful world of stitching delight, very satisfying to the eyes, the fingers and the soul.  We hope you enjoy your visit with us.  Here is a brief introduction to some of the works you'll find here:

Monet's Pastoral Walk from SEG de Paris

Le Iris (Irises) by Van Gogh from Margot de Paris

Swans Wallhanging Kit from the Glorafilia Collection

Sale Items

SEG de Paris - Small Canvases - Les Macareux

Sea of Tranquility

Elizabeth Bradley - Four Seasons - Summer Wreath Kit

Winters Majesty

Margot de Paris - Small Canvases - Pensees (Pansies)

Margot de Paris - Small Canvases - Couleurs Oceanes (Ocean Colors)

Invitation a la Promenade de C. Poplimont

Royal Paris White Horse Canvas

SEG de Paris - Small Canvases - Pony Canvas

Margot de Paris - Small Canvases - Sieste Caline (Cat Nap)

SEG de Paris - Small Canvases - Torn Teddy Bear Canvas

Glorafilia - Cushions & Pillows - Sophia Cushion Kit

Some useful information...from the latest newsletter

Newsletter Winter 2009-10

(In this issue:  A "Bio" of Yarns and Threads, A Brief Study of Color), New additions, and New features)

Dear Stitchers:

We will all probably remember the “blizzards” of 2009-2010 the rest of our lives.  Even though the weather outside was “frightful," we could all stitch by the “delightful” fire. Don't know about you, but It gave me a good excuse to stay inside with a hot cup of tea and stitch my many projects that are yet to be finished. In Florida we did have the coldest winter I can remember in many years and I know it does not compare to the winter the majority of you had. But then when it is so hot here in the summer it will be good to remember the cold weather.

In our last issue, we gave some basic information on the yarns we offer in our kits on NeedlepointUS.com.  In this issue I would like to expand on that and give you a short "bio" of these threads; wool, perle cotton and cotton floss:

Yarns

Wool:

Examples of wool used in needlework dates back at least to the Middle Ages and probably earlier.  There is no record of the earliest embroideries, but surviving to this day is the Bayeux Tapestry (on display at the museum in Bayeux, Normandy, France - some details from it are available on our site here) which dates back to the 11th century. It is an example of crewel embroidery using two kinds of wool on a linen background. In the nineteenth century Berlin Wool Work became popular, using colored charts to produce designs with wool manufactured in Germany and dyed in Berlin (thus the name). Today wool is found in many needlepoint kits and gives an “old world” look to the design.

Wool thread comes in many forms: tapestry, crewel and Persian, and in combination with other fibers. Tapestry wool has a light twist and is non-divisible. Crewel and Persian wools have looser twists and should be separated and recombined before use. Some wools have a hairy finish; others are smooth by comparison.  Composed of cells, the outside of wool thread is scaly providing small areas for light reflection. The result is low luster with a muted or darker appearance of the thread’s color.  Use wool when you want a subtle, soft, even warm feel to the area being stitched. The surface texture of the wool adds depth to stitches by emphasizing the shadows that add texture to the stitches.

Cotton:

Cotton sees use almost as early as civilization itself.  The cultivation and production of it began in the Indus Valley Civilization, several thousand years BC.  .  From there it spread to the rest of the world.   Cotton threads became popular in the late 1950’s to early 1960‘s and remain popular today. Cotton is a natural fiber which is processed in several steps: the cotton bolls are cleaned, removing all dirt; the longer fibers are carded (separated and pulled parallel to each other); the carded fibers are collected as slivers or ropes which are then combed, removing shorter fibers.  After combing they are pulled through a series of rollers, reducing their thickness (rovings); the rovings are spun into thread. Some threads go through an additional process of being treated with caustic soda, causing the naturally flat twisted thread to swell and become rounded and smoother, giving it more sheen.

Many varieties of cotton thread are available today . Floss, or stranded cotton, is a Mercerized thread with high luster and should be separated and recombined before use. The floss will lie flat to the canvas and give your design a look of satin. For many of our canvases it is best to use 9 strands instead of the normal 6. This will cover the canvas better and give additional dimension to the design. Perle cotton is a lightly twisted cotton with wonderful texture and sheen. It is available in several weights and is non-divisible. Because of its texture and sheen it provides a good contrast for your stitching, and it will add dimension to your design giving a wonderful sheen. Perle cotton is wonderful and soft to work with. Using it will give a design, especially of flowers, a beautiful look.

A Brief study of Color:

Since it is so important to our finished needlework, I thought you might find the following information interesting.

Value of color depends on the amount of darkness or light in the color.
Shade is the result of adding black to a color.
Tint is the result of adding white to a color.
Tone is the result of adding gray or complementary color.
Intensity is the degree of brilliance or grayness of a color.
Primary Colors are yellow, red, and blue. All other colors are combinations of the primary colors. Use these colors for boldest effects.
Secondary Colors are the colors halfway between the primary colors: secondary colors are orange, violet, and green.
Tertiary Colors are the colors between the primary and secondary dolor groups. This includes yellow-orange, red-orange, red-violet, blue-violet, and yellow-green.
Complementary Colors are colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel. A color when used in a small amount to its complementary color, will be intensified. Use this when you want a small item to stand out. When complementary colors are used in equal amounts, they produce a grayed effect.
Analogous Colors are adjacent colors on the color wheel. Any group of colors which lie next to each other on the color wheel will blend softly and be safe to use together. Warm colors are those belonging to the red and yellow group. Cool colors are those belonging to the blue and green group. A touch of white will give a clean, sparkling effect to a design. Fine black lines around colors will heighten and define them.
Color Fusion occurs when two colors of equal intensity are used together in small amounts, such as using one strand of each color and working them together. The eye tends to fuse them into one color. The blue and green of a peacock’s feather is a good example.


New additions:

We think you will like our newest additions from the Primavera Company out of the UK, world renowned for its collection of floral and Shaker style designs, charming regional designs, and a collection of animal designs.  These items are being added on a regular basis, so be sure to check back.

There have also been some really nice additions to the SEG de Paris collection.  Please click here to see some of them.

New Wish List Feature:

We have added a new feature to the website as well.  Now you can log in and begin adding items to your very own wish list.  It's very simple to log in and get started, and it's the best way to keep track of what interests you on the site.  You'll see a link in the upper left hand margin of just about every page on the site, or you can click here to get started now.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your winter.  Happy stitching!

Janice Lindsey and the crew at
NeedlepointUS.com

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Newsletter Fall 2009

(In this issue:  A Note about Our Yarns and Threads, Joys of Needlepoint Gifts; Needlepoint History)

Dear fellow stitchers:

It's supposed to be Fall, but we continue to have warm weather in Florida. That doesn't dampen our holiday spirit though. Halloween will be here soon with the holidays following close behind.

Now is the time to start on the holiday projects...or better yet complete our holiday projects.

About our yarns and threads:

We offer several selections of stitching threads: Please choose the one that meets your design needs. We will be glad to help with your decision.

Some suggestions:

Tapestry wool will give your design an “old world look.” The wool is one strand (you do not take it apart) and it will give your picture a matt or old needlepoint tapestry look.  The wool will be raised from the canvas and add texture to your design. Great for animals.

Perle Cotton will give your design a “pearly, shiny look” The cotton is one strand (you do not take it apart) and it will give your picture a glossy, pearled effect.  The Perle cotton will be raised from the canvas and adds texture to your design. Great for flowers (and for the stitcher too if you're allergic to wool).

Cotton Floss will give your design a “satin look.” The cotton floss is in 6 strands and for good coverage you will need all 6 strands and sometime 9 depending on the coverage you desire. The cotton floss will lie next to the canvas and give it a satin look; it will not show quite the textured look, but it does give an elegant effect.


Joys of Needlework Gifts:

After years of stitching needlework gifts for others, I began to think about how to create gifts that will please both myself and the recipient. If you create a piece using the bright colors you like, you are only satisfying yourself and not the recipient. I keep thinking my family loves the ”Impressionists “ as much as I do, but sadly they do not. So keep in mind the colors and designs others will favor. The gift will be received with much pleasure if you’ve considered the recipient in your choices. Ask a few well-placed and non-revealing questions if you can.

Expert needlework skills aren’t required, nor does it have to be a time-consuming project. It's better to create a well-made and finished gift than to underestimate the project and never complete it. On the other hand, don’t just throw something together that doesn’t demonstrate thought or consideration.

Remember that creating a needlework gift should be as fun to stitch as seeing the delight in the receiver's eyes when they receive it.

Need some suggestions?

For Halloween you might want to see the new Leigh Designs hand painted pieces for Halloween. She also has many other hand painted works that are just gorgeous.

We have many easy and fun pieces to stitch including new Beth Russell mini kits, Glorafilia kits, Margot de Paris Quick Point kits.

One of our most spectacular areas is the hand painted items (see the Sandra Gilmore items), and particularly the Tapestry Tent Christmas Stockings.

If you have a stitcher that you would like to give a special gift the K’s Creations Lap Frames and Scroll Frames are a wonderful and lasting accessory that any stitcher would love and use for years to come.

We have new Royal Paris designs and the wonderful classical designs of SEG de Paris and Margot de Paris.

Chances are very good that there is something in our sale items area that will just tickle you pink!

We also encourage you to consider a NeedlepointUS.com gift card as a stitching gift (great stocking stuffers).

OK, now for some Needlepoint History:

Surface embroidery and counted thread work came into being with the development of linen fabrics in Egypt, Syria, Persia and Byzantium in pre-Christian times. The style of needlework from Byzantine and Coptic (Egyptian Christian) cultures began to make its way across early Christian Europe. Few examples remain because of how plant materials disintegrate with time, but medieval documents do shed some light on the subject of needlework. The finest needlework of the Middle Ages was for church vestments and altar cloths. Examples have survived from the 10th century.
The earliest examples of needlepoint, as we know it today, are altar cloths from 13th century Germany and Switzerland. They contain geometric patterns created by counting the threads of the linen ground fabric and are stitched with the tent stitch.

The term “tapestry” is often confused with the term “needlepoint.” Tapestry originally referred to large textile pieces with pictures and scenes that were woven on looms and used as wall hangings. With the tent stitch, an appearance very similar to the woven tapestries could be created. Thus the term “tapestry” was misused.

During the Renaissance, the uses for needlepoint shifted from religious to royal. Dynasties wanted their royal crest displayed on clothing items and items decorating their household. Ladies of the privileged class could spend all of their time stitching for their household, but royalty could afford to pay expert artists and stitchers to create needle worked household items. As a result, in the privileged home you would see needle worked wall hangings, window hangings, bed curtains, horse trappings, and beautifully decorated clothing.

Until this time, the needle was a very expensive, precious item. The invention of the steel needle in Nuremberg in 1370 brought the possibility of needlework to every class of society.

We are so fortunate today to have such wonderful stitching supplies available for our heirlooms.

Who knows one day some of our stitched pieces may be found in museums or at least our loved ones homes for others to enjoy.

Happy holiday stitching!

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Newsletter Summer 2009

(In this issue:  Helpful Hints, History of "Blackwork," With or Without Glass?" and New Items)

Dear fellow stitchers:

The hot summer weather is here, particularly in Florida where we went from winter to summer in less than a week, or so it seems. I hope, though, that you are all having a great summer with family and friends. I have my vacation and hurricane evacuation stitching bag ready!

Also, I trust you are planning ahead for the holiday season and the needlepoint heirlooms you will be creating for family and friends. It is NEVER too early to start on these projects, and nothing lasts like a good piece of stitched needlepoint. After all, isn’t that why it was invented in the first place?

We have some new and exciting items to help in your selections, but first a few helpful hints, some interesting historical tidbits, and a question that keeps popping up:

Helpful Hints:

It is a good idea occasionally to place your canvas away from you and look at it as you will when it is completed. We stitch with our noses on top of the piece and then wonder how it will look when it is framed or finished. No one else will look that closely, and if they do, it serves them right if they notice mistakes.

The rubber fingers found in most office supply stores (you know what I mean) can be very helpful to needle stabbers. When your fingers get sore or chapped from pushing a needle, you can wear one of these while stitching. It will protect your fingers from further damage and you won’t have to stop working while your finger heals. Of course, an even better idea is to wear one when the problem first begins and thus prevent further damage.

And one last word of wisdom…the only time things like cooking, cleaning and laundry should come before needlepoint is in the dictionary!

How about a little history?

The History of Blackwork:

Blackwork is a term given to black stitching done on a white or off-white background.  It was a kind of "poor man's" lace.  There was a time when only the wealthy could afford real lace, so to make something look "lacey," black threads were stitched over a contrasting background, and - voila! - you have the appearance of lace.  Historically, Blackwork  was used on shirts, chemises or smocks in England from the time of Henry VIII. The common name for this Blackwork, "Spanish work," was based on the belief that Catherine of Aragon brought many Blackwork garments with her from Spain, and portraits of the later 15th and early 16th centuries show black embroidery or other trim on Spanish chemises. Black embroidery was known in England before 1500. Geoffrey Chaucer in the Canterbury Tales describes the clothing of the miller's wife, Alison: "Of white, too, was the dainty smock she wore, embroidered at the collar all about with coal-black silk, alike within and out."

Blackwork in silk on linen was the most common domestic embroidery technique for clothing (shirts, smocks, sleeves, ruffs, and caps) and for household items such as cushion covers throughout the reign of Elizabeth I, but it lost its popularity by the 17th century.

Historic Blackwork embroidery is rarely preserved, as the iron-based dye used was corrosive to the thread.

We are pleased to have some new additions to the Margot de Paris line that remind us of the wonderful Blackwork stitching. Floral Baroque, Baroque Floral (yes they sound and look very similar), Baroque Bird, The Angel, and Deco Baroque.

On a separate note, I would like to address a question we hear often. We have had many inquiries about framing a piece of needlepoint; should it be...

WITH or WITHOUT glass?

I have my own ideas, but there are experts that come down on both sides, so we will present both sides and let you judge which is best for you.

First, according to the NO GLASS camp:

When framing, glass should not be used on needlework. Judged shows or exhibits will most often request that glass not be used. It is also ready to be shipped, if necessary, without the worry of broken shards of glass harming the project.

Needlepoint is a wonderfully tactile art form with the inclusion of many surface and dimensional stitches. Glass takes away from these aesthetics, and can create a terrible glare that distracts from the presentation. Although the cost of glass is nominal, the added cost of properly framing with glass could be a deterrent factor.

The canvas and various fibers used in the stitching of the piece need to “breathe”. By sealing the needlework in glass, the aeration of the natural and synthetic fibers can not be accomplished. This could cause a concentration of the emitted gasses from the fibers that may be harmful to the overall integrity of the needlework.

It needs to be remembered that in humid conditions glass is a natural condenser of airborne moisture. The use of glass on needlework pieces may cause this moisture to be transferred into the fibers and canvas. This scenario creates a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew that can be devastating to the precious project.

It is acknowledged that airborne dust and impurities can be a problem unless the environment where the needlework will hang is controlled and very clean. Insects and other pests are not a factor under these conditions, since fibers are now ‘Moth proof” and color fast. A light, controlled touch of the vacuum cleaner on a regular basis will remove any loose dust that might collect on the needlework.

A wide variety of needlework has survived for many hundreds of years without the use of glass, and has given many of us the opportunity to observe the wonderful stitches and textures up close and personal.

Tapestries have hung in castles, chateaus, and museums for many years giving us the opportunity to study the wonderful masterpieces with no need of glass.

Would you put glass on a Renoir or Monet? No, you would want to be able to admire the brush strokes of the artist.

And second, from the camp of those who believe you MUST USE GLASS:

When properly framing needlework, glass should be used to preserve and protect. Most judged shows and exhibits require that entries be glass free. However, these specific requirements for exhibiting should not determine how the needlework spends its display life. Many other factors must be considered.

Dust, dirt, airborne chemicals, grease and accidental spills are the main perpetrators that ruin needlework without mercy. Glass absolutely protects against these invaders.

With needlework’s wonderful tactile aesthetics, the urge to touch is almost uncontrollable, even for the well-informed. Many pieces have been ruined by the touch and deposit of hand oils. These oils attract and hold dirt. With glass as a barrier, control is enforced without embarrassing signs.

A natural condenser of airborne moisture, glass should never be placed in direct contact with the needlework. This contact would allow moisture to be transferred into the needlework, creating a perfect environment for the destructive growth of mildew and mold. A space or pocket between the glass and the project is an absolute necessity. The raising of the glass is accomplished with regular matting techniques of acid free matting or spacers. Glass can then be used with assurance of a safe environment and longevity for the project.

So there you have it. Now you must decide for yourselves…..

OK, now for the shameless self-promotion…We have many new and exciting canvases and kits arriving weekly (most recently in the Royal Paris line) and we know you will enjoy browsing through these. The best way to see what is new is to click on our “Most Recent” link on the left hand side of each page.

We also encourage you to shop the sale items. There are some of our most popular items included in this group.

Enjoy your summer stitching…

As always we appreciate your kindness and your business.

Janice Lindsey and the crew at
NeedlepointUS.com

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Newsletter Spring 2009

(In this issue:  Needlepoint History, Some Suggestions, Helpful Hints, New Items, and Vacation Suggestion)

Dear fellow stitchers:

Welcome to Spring!  In our part of the country the temperatures are edging into the 80's and everything is blooming.  It's a beautiful sight (if you don't suffer from allergies).  And, as usual, I'm not nearly finished with all the needlework projects I wanted to finish during the winter.  So much stitching I want to do, and so little time!

But we've taken the time to put together some useful and interesting information for this Spring issue of our newsletter, so grab a cup of coffee or tea, sit back for a minute and enjoy a short break with these needlepoint nuggets.

Some needlepoint history:

The roots of needlepoint go back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians who used small slanted stitches to sew up their canvas tents. There are also many references in the bible to elaborate needlework on religious articles, including the tent used for worship in ancient Israel.

In the Middle Ages, there were two types of needlework that were forerunners of modern needlepoint. A kind of embroidery, in 13th century Europe, was done on coarsely woven linen fabric similar to canvas mesh. Tapestries, also popular in that era, were woven on vertical threads on a loom. In the 16th century, people began to imitate these forms on a canvas background using steel needles, invented around this time. This allowed more intricate work than the fishbone or thorn needles used previously.

During the times of Mary, Queen of Scots (who did needlepoint during her long imprisonment), needlepoint was a pastime of the leisure class. Some of Queen Mary’s needlepoint can be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. As time went on, its appeal gradually broadened to other parts of society.

There are few examples of needlepoint from early Colonial America since American women had little time to spare for stitching that was not absolutely practical. With an increase in leisure time, along with the invention of a method of printing colored charts for needlepoint designs (called Berlin Work), needlepoint finally took its rightful place in style.

Some needlepoint suggestions:

Needlepoint offers a wide range of avenues for self-expression; pictures, pillows, seat cushions, or other items to decorate your surroundings.

When working from a chart, try to work from the right-hand corner from one block of color to another.

It is advisable to work the design first then the background. This will help your design to stand out from the background and be the focus of the piece.

We suggest that you use a frame when stitching, but this is a personal choice. There is no question that the finish is better and a more even tension is achieved, but if you are more comfortable working without a frame , that is fine.

Keep the back tidy; there are two simple reasons for this. First, having lots of ends hanging at the back can eventually make it difficult to get your needle through the canvas. Second, the work will lie flatter when it is made up. So cut your threads short when you have anchored them.

When framing a needlepoint picture, we never use glass. Nor would we put glass on an oil painting. These deserve to be enjoyed as textured and interesting pieces, not flattened and diminished behind glass.

To keep needlepoint pictures clean, just flick over with a feather duster. Ideally, needlepoint should not be in a smoky atmosphere.

Needlepoint can be Scotch-Guarded and we strongly recommend that you do not try to wash it. Take it to a good dry cleaner’s instead.

Helpful Hints:

Always keep extra needles on hand. All needles wear. If your needle turns dark, try a platinum or gold needle. It is your own body chemistry causing this.

Let the needle dangle in the back every so often to get the twist out of your thread. It makes for better work and easier stitching.

Never leave knots on the back of your canvas. They can produce bumps that will show on the front.

When ripping out stitches, do not reuse the unstitched thread. It will be worn and look different if re-stitched.
 

New Items

We've added many new items since our last newsletter.  You will want to see the newest SEG de Paris canvases.  Besides the new Vermeer at the top of this newsletter, there are several other new canvases of classic art pieces, including a Renoir,  a classic of Marie Antoinette, The Cage by Francois Bouchet, a Modigliani, and more.

There are two ways to get a quick look at our new items.  First, there is a new link on the front page called "Most Recent Additions."  You'll find it on the left side of the page.  This shows a single page listing of our most recent additions, but is limited to the one page.

The other is by using the menu.  The menu in the upper left hand corner of every page has a pop-out function.  Place your mouse pointer over the word "Categories" and then over the "New Items" button and click.  This will bring you to an expanded listing of our newest items.  If you don't like using the menu, you can also click on the list of links to the left of every page.

A vacation suggestion:

Most of us who are addicted to needlepoint will always take along a project or two to work on even while we're on vacation.  If you'd like something conveniently sized for that purpose, visit our Miniatures section for some summer ideas.

As always, don't forget that it's never too early to start on a Christmas project.  Follow this link to some ideas.

Thanks for reading, and happy stitching!

Kindest regards,

Janice Lindsey
Needlepointus.com

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Newsletter Winter 2008-9  (Click here to receive our next issue...all free of course)

(In this issue:  Needlepoint Basics, new services, new items, and some Christmas ideas.)

Dear fellow stitchers:

OK, we know we're a little late with this issue.  For some of you it's turning Spring already.  Here in Florida the mocking birds are at it nearly in full force, and we're seeing some blooms on the azaleas.  Green is coming out all over.  But, this is our Winter Newsletter, and we'll try to make it worth your while to read.  Before we get to the good stuff, we want to shamelessly remind you that we have been adding new items right along to our website at NeedlepointUS.com.  OK, enough of the self-promotion for now...here's something we think you'll want to see on...

Needlepoint Canvas Basics

Count or mesh size: This is expressed in units per inch. #18 count or 18 mesh means there are 18 warp threads and18 weft threads per linear inch.
Single mesh: This means the canvas is woven like fabric and one canvas thread is carried at a time.
Double mesh: This means that the canvas is woven like fabric and two canvas threads are carried at a time. Penelope is the only double mesh canvas still being made today.
Interlock: Weft threads are twined around the warp threads so that the warp and weft threads are locked together. The result is canvas that does not ravel. Cotton interlock canvas, and silk or polyester gauze are interlock examples.
Warp: The lengthwise threads in canvas.
Weft: The crosswise threads in canvas.
Woof: A synonym for weft.
Selvage: The left and right woven sides of a width of canvas or fabric.

Always put the canvas on the working frame so that the warp is lengthwise to you and the weft runs from left to right, or sideways. The warp is stronger than the weft.

Mono woven canvas is made of polished, stiffened, thick cotton fibers. The word “mono” means one.  It is a single-mesh, and comes in 3 ½, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, and 22 threads to the inch.

Interlock canvas is made of polished, stiffened, slightly thinner cotton fibers. It consists of a single woof thread and with a double warp thread twining around each single woof thread. It is available in 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 18 to the inch versions.

Penelope, or Berlin, canvas is made of stiffened cotton fibers. It is double-mesh, and occurs in 5, 6 ½ , 7½ , 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, and 20 to the inch. It’s purpose is for petit point (detail on faces, flowers etc), gros point, and as a base for beads. Penelope mesh size is expressed in dual numbers, such as 10/20, with a forward slash between the two numbers indicating 10 gros point stitches to the inch and 20 petit point stitches to the inch.  Quick point will pull less and the stitches will be more square if Penelope is used. Penelope was the type of canvas on which original Berlin work was done during the 19th century. Penelope is the canvas of choice for pillows, chair seats, purses, bell pulls and pictures.

Queen Mary, one of the patrons of the Royal School of Needlework, was photographed doing petit point on Penelope canvas. Our Royal Paris, SEG de Paris, Margot de Paris and Collection d’Art collections are all on Penelope canvas.

New Services

We don't get them often, but once in a while someone is either new to needlepoint or in a hurry to have the finished product, and some have asked if we can stitch the piece(s) for them.  The good news is, YES, now we can do exactly that.  If that is something you might want done, please call me at 888-801-3084 and we can discuss it.

New Items

We've added many new Margot de Paris canvases, a completely new line of hand-painted needlepoint from a very talented designer at Leigh Designs.

If you like the Beth Russell collection, there are two new pieces that you'll at least want to see.  Beth has combined the entire Henry Dearle Greenery Collection into one canvas with a massive design of 63x26".  It's called the Henry Dearle Complete Tapestry and definitely worth a look.  The other is also a huge new tapestry based on the William Morris Forest Collection.  This design measures 14x42" and is called the Forest Trio Tapestry.  We think you'll be as breathless as we were when we first saw them.  These are heirloom pieces fit for any home.

There are also six new Beth Russell Miniatures that Beth has added to her lineup, including the Bee, Butterfly, Caterpillar, Grasshopper, Ladybird (Ladybug), and Snail Miniatures, all taken from her new Rose Garden Collection.

For those who have requested counted cross stitch items, we have added several new pieces to the Maia Collection.  These are really world-class kits.

Christmas Ideas

As always, don't forget that it's never too early to start on a Christmas project.  Follow this link to some ideas.

Thanks for reading, and happy stitching!

Kindest regards,

Janice Lindsey
Needlepointus.com

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Newsletter Fall 2008  (Click here to receive our next issue...all free of course)

(In this issue:  Fall and Winter stitching, historical overview of canvas work in England, new additions and holiday ideas.)

Dear fellow stitchers:

Well, it’s finally fall…at least now that we have some cooler weather, it does seem like fall. And what a great time of the year to begin stitching on our projects for the colder months. It is the perfect time to begin the Holiday stitching projects, and we have many new and wonderful items available for your gift giving or for gifting yourself. When you have some spare time, please revisit our website at NeedlepointUS.com and see the new lines we’ve added. What wonderful and exquisite heirlooms we can create for our families and friends.

As usual, I have some interesting (at least in my opinion) tidbits and history for you. The following is a short history of canvas work in England. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy bringing it to you.

In the sixteenth century, the Elizabethans started to adapt the designs of the medieval tapestries to canvaswork by working pictures in tent stitch (Half Cross, Continental, Basketweave) using silks, wools and metal threads. Turkey work (wool knotted on a canvas ground and cut into a pile effect) to give a hard-wearing luxury fabric, was one of the first techniques to be adapted by English needle workers of the sixteenth century. The fabric was used to drape over long, plain oak tables and cupboards and for upholstering chairs. Contemporary inventories reveal that even large houses only had one or two chairs, kept for the master of the house and important guests. The rest of the household would have sat on wooden benches - hence the large number of cushions, frequently embroidered on fine canvas, which also appear on the household lists of the period. Square cushions would have been used on chairs, long cushions on benches and window seats. This spilled over into the churches, and today many English churches we have visited are provided with hand-stitched needlepoint cushions and prayer bench covers.

Tent stitch, with its strong construction covering every thread of canvas, was introduced at this time to simulate the expensive imported woven tapestries. Because of the inherent strength of this stitch, many pieces from this period have survived. The great houses would have had at least one professional needle worker, probably a man, who would work the large pieces and prepare and help the ladies of the house with the smaller pieces. Young girls were trained to embroider both as a practical skill and social accomplishment. Their standards were so high it is often difficult to decide whether the work is from the needle of a professional or amateur. I feel sure this is the case with all of the pieces you stitch.

In this English tradition, the Beth Russell collection of cushions is superb. Every detail is exquisite and a joy to stitch. These are true heirloom-quality English designs at their finest, many adapted from William Morris designs.

Also from England we have the Glorafilia designs. These designs are much beloved in the United States.

In the Glorafilia line there are several items with a wonderful history in the design: The Marbled Cushion for example is designed from the beautiful craft of paper marbling adapted by the Venetians. The glorious colors come from leaf pigments and “secret ingredients” which are combed and brushed into spirals of color and then transferred miraculously onto paper where they ebb and flow in extraordinary combinations of tones. The Marbled Cushion is stunning and will please everyone who sees it stitched…truly a work of art!

New Additions to NeedlepointUS.com:

Maia Counted Cross Stitch:  For those who have requested some high quality counted cross stitch items, we have added the exquisite Maia collection from England. This line is for those of you that LOVE counted cross stitch at it finest. The designers in this series include Karl Bang, Keith Mallett, Monica Stewart, Nel, Kawase Hasui, and Erte’ . These are the most exciting kits offered for cross stitch. One of my favorites is Winter’s Majesty. Even if you do not cross stitch, these kits are some of the best gifts for someone who loves this type of needle art.

Collection d'Art:  New from Greece:  In our effort to continually bring the best of the best to you we have also added another needlepoint selection from Greece. The Collection d’Art is new to us but the beauty of these designs is timeless. You will want to see the Collection d’Art version of the most famous painting of all, the “Mona Lisa.” Please enjoy looking at these as they are very beautiful and very reasonably priced.

Sandra Gilmore collection:  This new addition features hand-painted canvas designs by the renowned painter and designer Sandra Gilmore.  There are many new Christmas items in this collection, along with other designs with delightful detail and color.

Judaica:  New Judaic items from various designers, all hand-painted.

Trubey Designs:  Hand-painted canvases made in the USA.

We are adding more items almost daily, so be sure to check back often.

Remember too that we are here to help you select your next gift or should we say heirloom, and to answer any questions.

Enjoy your fall weather and again remember it is never too early to start stitching for the gift-giving season.

Janice Lindsey
Needlepointus.com

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Summer 2008 Newsletter  (Click here to receive our next issue...all free of course)

Dear fellow Stitchers:

Now that summer has arrived it is a good time to enjoy sitting outside or inside stitching some lovely pieces to enjoy through the winter.  Many needlepoint kits are wonderful for vacation travel and that needed quiet time to relax and enjoy creating heirlooms.  This is also a good time to think about holiday projects.

For Travel we recommend Beth Russell kits and Glorafilia kits as they come with a tote bag to keep all your stitching items in one easy location. (I actually know customers that stitch while waiting in traffic, airports, and at the beach).  We now offer the exquisite Maia Counted Cross Stitch kits that are beautifully packaged and are also a good take-a-long project.

 

Tapestries (continued from last issue)

As promised in our last newsletter, I wanted to acquaint you with some of the background on the world of tapestries which have influenced many of the canvases and kits on NeedlepointUS.com.  Our knowledge of the origin and history of medieval tapestry has been thoroughly updated in the last few years, following a certain number of discoveries that have focused attention on both economic and stylistic factors.

The technique was indeed an ancient one, but from the mid 14^th to the 15^th century production was constantly on the increase. Initiated by a policy of the Duke of Burgundy, who was anxious to replace a cloth industry beset by competitors with a new luxury, semi-luxury, or even common industry.  Trade and sales were encouraged by bankers, important entrepreneurs and even the markets.

Manufacturing centers were so diverse that it is hard to pinpoint a piece’s origin when not confirmed by documentation.  The major centers were Arras, Lille, Tournai, and above all Brussels, which took the lead in the 16^th century in terms of quantity and quality; but there were also home industries under subcontract to workshops unable to meet demand.

Weavers were willing to go from one workshop to another, from one town to another, either through personal choice or in answer to a specific demand for labor. 

Tapestry fell primarily within an industrial context of mass-production, where rapid turnover was a decisive element in its success.  But there were also commissioned works, arranged by verbal or written agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer or merchant.  They can be recognized from their individuality, often worked by coats of arms (Lady with the Unicorn).   As a rule, a tapestry was completed in three stages:  first the model maker drew a preliminary design on a reduced scale that might then be colored; next the cartoonist executed the full-sized design, down to the smallest detail; lastly the weaver set to work at the loom.  In the course of these different stages, all possibilities could be envisaged; the model may have been drawn up by a great artist known by the purchaser (Lady with the Unicorn); the cartoonist might reuse former models or use the same deign several times in one hanging.  The weaver himself might intervene in the choice of colors or in the background detail, frequently an allover pattern (millefleurs "many flowers").  To gain time, a tapestry could be made in different workshops, which led to quite perceptible variations.

More on tapestries in our next issue...

 

Needlepoint Basics:

Now, back to our own world and needlepoint basics.  This time let's look at one of the most basic basics of all, the canvas.

Canvas:

Canvas is made in a range of materials, including cotton, linen, and man-made fibers.

The best quality canvas readily available is made from polished cotton.  Needlepoint embroidery should, with care, last several lifetimes so it makes sense to buy the best you can afford.  We strive to offer only the best on NeedlepointUS.com.

There are three main types of canvas: single (mono), interlocked and double thread (Penelope).  All are meant to have an even weave of open-count squares.  You can oftentimes detect a slight difference in the length and width; if you ever need to join two pieces, be careful that the selvedges lie in the same direction.

 Single canvas consists of a weave of single threads, and is graded according to the number of threads per inch.  It is ideal for the tent stitch (half-cross, continental, basketweave).

Interlocked canvas has the threads twisted so they “lock” at the intersections.

Penelope canvas has pairs of threads running each way, and is graded according to the number of threads per inch.  Needlepoint stitches are normally worked over pairs or the double threads.

The choice of canvas is a matter of personal taste, but our preference is the Penelope as you can vary the size of stitches using the double threads as well as the single.  This is also a very durable canvas

With the exception of rug canvases, interlocked canvas is often far too thin for hard wear.  The interlocking is intended to prevent the canvas threads shifting with the tension of the stitches, but unless the work is firmly framed the canvas is pliable and will tend to pull out of shape.  Our advice is to not use interlocked canvas for chair seats or anything large that will have heavy use.  Rug canvas is the exception, it is strong and durable.

Penelope canvas has two advantages over the others. As the threads run in pairs in each direction a 10 count canvas, which would normally be worked with the stitches crossing the pairs of threads can be transformed into a much finer 20 count canvas by separating the pairs and stitching over one thread only.  This is generally done when intricate details are required, for example, to stitch the features of a face.  Sometimes the entire design area may be worked this way, in (petit point) leaving the background to be worked over pairs of threads in gros point (regular needlepoint).

The Royal Paris, SEG de Paris, and Margot de Paris designs are on the Penelope canvas.  Some Glorafilia kits have the Penelope canvas.

We have also added the exquisite Maia Counted Cross Stitch kits (made in the UK) to our needlework offerings. These kits have everything included for you including metallic thread if the design needs specialty threads.  These are top of the line kits you will be very excited to have.

 Have a great Summer!

Don’t forget to be thinking about your holiday stitching, it is never too early to start getting your pieces so you will not run out of time before gift giving starts.

 

Janice Lindsey and the NeedlepointUS.com Family

A note about the quality of these items:

Every item on this site is first-quality; there are no "knock-offs," seconds, damaged, or very old stock.  Most of our product comes directly from the designer in England, France or here in the US.  We have included only the canvases and kits that we know from experience (or in the case of Glorafilia, by reputation) are top of the line.  These canvases are exquisitely detailed, and most represent some form of classic beauty.  You can be sure when you receive your needlepoint you have the best quality canvas and yarns that we can make available to you.  Life is too short, and stitching time is too limited, to spend on anything but the best.

How to get around on the site:

We have tried diligently to help you get around easily on the site.  Should you get lost, just use the menu in the upper left corner of every page.  There are hundreds of items on this site, but they have been grouped logically (at least we think so) and the Search button is never more than a click away.

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Elizabeth Bradley items are offered in cooperation with The Stitchery House.