Needlepoint Hack #1 - Back Up Your Tent Stitch
Traditionally, a needlepoint tent stitch slopes up and to the right, but there's no law that says it has to be this way!
For example, the line on this Strawberry Thief needlepoint ornament design slopes downward from left to right.
If we were to use a traditional tent stitch here it would create a jagged line. But, by flipping the tent stitch it creates a nice, smooth and narrow line.
You barely notice that the stitch is going the other way. This needlepoint hack of a tent-stitch-flip is useful on almost any canvas—especially where a line is short and slopes downward from left to right. Like the eyelashes and lip outlines on this Patience Tested design...
Needlepoint Hack #2 - Speed Up Your Stitching
Question: Do you sometimes want your needlepoint background or filler stitch to move along a bit faster?
Answer: Use a longer stitch, or an open stitch—either of these will eat up the canvas more quickly.
For example, the Balloon Stitch on the collar of this Shakpespeare needlepoint design uses long stitches which were super-quick to stitch and look rich and sumptuous! You can learn how to do the Balloon Stitch in our Stitch Library.
Darning or Open stitches also stitch up quickly. Like the background stitch on this Chinoiserie needlepoint design in which parts of the canvas are left uncovered. And, it looks so pretty!
A Skip Tent stitch is possibly the easiest open stitch to use and it goes almost anywhere. To do this stitch all you do is a regular Basketweave Stitch but you skip every other stitch. See how pretty it looks on the background of this Ho Cubed design...
Needlepoint Hack #3 - Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Do you avoid stitching with dark needlepoint threads like black, dark grey, navy and dark brown, because they are hard to see?
Two useful hacks: Get yourself a good "daylight" lamp (it is well worth the money and there are even models that clip on to your needlepoint frame like this one).
Secondly, if you lay a bright white cloth on your lap and hold your needlepoint over it, the dark colors will be much easier to see.
We hope you find these needlepoint hacks or tips useful. Spread the word by sharing this on your favorite social media channel. Thanks so much.
Are you looking for a new needlepoint project? We have affordable needlepoint kits with gorgeous silk threads and free shipping. Take a look by clicking on the image below...
