Anna Pearson's Needlepoint Blog

First of all, what is needlepoint?   It is counted thread embroidery mostly covering the ground material – even weave canvas.   However my web site shows many different lacy designs and incorporating different coloured canvases into the design. Sometimes it is called tapestry erroneously but that is a different story! Girls Stitching in Tuscany There are three main types of needlepoint, Tent stitch from charts or on printed or hand-painted canvases; Florentine/Bargello traditional upright stitches worked in curves and spires and Stitchery on geometric designs and for adding interest to painted canvases. This blog covers equipment for all types of needlepoint that I have found useful though the years. One of the most attractive aspects of learning needlepoint right from the start is the fact that initially very little equipment is needed to get one going in the right direction. Later on as you become more hooked, possibly see fellow stitches either at class or ...

When searching for a title that both described a growing trend in needlepoint design and encouraged you to read it, ‘new’ was not perfect as ideas and techniques continue to grow and have always done so.   From my own designs you will see antique tiles, Tudor embroidery and Victorian Ladies journals have inspired me. My first designs that took the colour of the canvas as part of the design many years ago was a range, the Gazebo collection, stitches   worked in white and ecru on antique (brown) canvas, the individual stitches – including Skip Tent – allowing the deep shade of canvas to offset the design.    Nowadays the exciting range of coloured canvases would lend themselves beautifully to this simple idea – oh for the time to play. Next came two Patchwork designs, the canvas painted in a crazy patchwork of colours.   Each area has stitches, often old favourites in threads to compliment the painted area below.    Either the stitches had space...