Needlepoint Tips

Needlepoint is a hobby that can be very cheap or very expensive, depending on the choices you make. Based on your decisions about materials and finishing techniques, the same 8″ x 12″ canvas can cost anywhere from $5.00 – $50.00 to complete.  Here are some cost cutting tips:

Learn to do your own blocking and framing. You will save hundreds of dollars.

Another way to save money on framing is to create projects that don’t need a frame.  Pillows and bell pulls are pretty and cost very little to finish.

If you only enjoy needlepointing pictures, then do a series of 8×11’s instead of one big 24×30.  If you do the blocking and framing yourself, using dollar store frames, you will save almost $100.00.

Needlepoint stores will insist you need to use the highest quality yarns only.  I don’t see why.  I have made needlepoints from skeins of inexpensive yarn and they came out beautifully.

Sometimes you will see a needlepoint kit on a tremendous clearance sale but  it  is not to your taste.  Consider buying it anyway if it is cheap enough.  You can often change the colors of the needlepoint to ones you prefer.  And, the yarns can be reused in another project.

Try to avoid going into expensive needlepoint shops unless there is a big sale. Prices in these stores will generally be 50% higher than in craft store chains.

Instead,  shop on ebay.  Ebay has a large selection of needlepoints at extremely reasonable prices.

JoAnn Fabrics and Michaels are also reasonably priced.  Even in these stores, however, try to wait till a sale.

When matting your needlepoint, use only acid free board.  Acid is what causes needlepoint to yellow prematurely.

One way to save money is to skip buying a canvas altogether.  Library books have tons of needlepoint patterns.  These patterns are worked similarly to counted cross-stitch.

Consider doing plastic canvas projects instead of needlepoint.  Plastic canvas is worked into things(purses, baskets, boxes, etc.) instead of framed.  Look for extremely cheap patterns on ebay.

About the Author

Annette Berlin is the owner of craft salad, a blog covering all the best free patterns and instructions on the internet. For articles on sewing, papercrafts, scrapbooking, jewelry making and more go to http://www.craftsalad.com/