Finishing Needlework using Old Books...

 Beautiful Books dating from

1911 through 1987.

Five of them are bound

with a 'cloth' cover.

I won't be reading any of these, 

but rather using them for 

finishing Needlework.

Old books can easily be found at

library book sales and yard sales.

Each of these books cost 

.50 up to 1.00.

Enjoy your day !

Rose

How To Make Wool (or Ribbon) Ruching...

Ruching...

particularly Wool Ruching has been

my 'go to' for 'finishing' some 

of my Punch Needle projects.

As in this case, a small pillow.

So simple...

want to learn how ??

Beaded Picot Edging...

I will often use a Beaded Picot Stitch

to edge my wool projects.

You can use one single color or

a variety of bead colors to edge your projects.

I prefer to do all my work by hand 

and avoid the sewing machine 'all together'.

This way of finishing allows me to do that.

A How To / Tutorial for the 

Beaded Picot Edge...

Punch Needle Finishing "TRICK and TREAT"...

There are many ways to 'finish' 

a Punch Needle project.  

To learn a 'TRICK' 

that will become a 'TREAT'...

read on...

"Finishing" Edges...

 Beaded Blanket Stitch on the edge of a Punchneedle design

We are in a "crispy cold snap" here in Pennsylvania...

(It was 0 degrees this morning)

"Stay inside" weather !

The perfect time to place 

the finishing touches on a few projects.

~~ To back your Punchneedle project with wool
 and provide an attractive edge... ~~ 

When you fold under and secure the Weavers Cloth 
to the back of your completed project,

allow approximately 1/4 inch (or a bit less)
of Weavers Cloth to extend 
beyond your design edge.

Center your completed Punchneedle project

onto a piece of felted wool fabric of your choice.

(I like to spread a good fabric adhesive 
on the back of the punchneedle piece,
before centering it on the wool fabric
and then press it into place.)

 Tips:
**If you use fabric adhesive, allow to dry 
before beginning the Beaded Blanket Stitch.**

**'Elmers Craft Bond for Fabric and Paper' 
is a good adhesive for Punchneedle work.  
It dries clear and remains flexible.**

Trim the wool to approximately 1/4 inch
beyond the Weavers Cloth edge.

Fold over the wool fabric edge as you  

do a Beaded Blanket Stitch to secure.

I used Valdani Perle Cotton #8 for the edging,
which is the same Thread I used 
in my Punchneedle design.

I love embellishing my projects with beads...

I used Czech Glass Beads, size 6/0,

however any size bead would look beautiful.

Tip:

**Always use glass beads as plastic beads 

could melt when your project is pressed.**

Enjoy your weekend and 'stay warm'...

Rose

Punchneedle Backgrounds Using Variegated Perle Cotton...

Using variegated threads in the background of your Punchneedle design, 
can add just the right amount of shading and movement
 to bring your project alive.

There are a few ways to do this...

How To Do A Beaded Blanket Stitch...

Beaded Blanket Stitch on edge of Penny Rug

Beaded Blanket Stitch on circle of wool

First, let's review the Basic Blanket Stitch...



              Blanket Stitch

*  Bring the threaded needle up through the bottom at 'A'.

*  Take needle to the back at 'B' - going through fabric and back up at 'C' - a short distance from 'A'.  Make sure the thread is under the needle when you emerge at 'C'. 



Regular Blanket Stitch

For regular Blanket Stitch - Thread needle with one 3 strand section of floss and knot one end.  Blanket stitch around edge of wool.  Pull snugly with each stitch,

but not so snugly that it distorts the fabric.



Beaded Blanket Stitch

For Beaded Blanket Stitch - When you complete one regular Blanket Stitch - string one glass bead onto needle, before moving to the next Blanket Stitch.

I like to use Czech Glass Beads, size 6/0, however any size bead would look beautiful.  Always use glass beads as plastic beads could melt when your
project is pressed with an iron.

This is a simple way to add a beautiful finish to your projects !

Enjoy your day...
Rose