Needlepoint Finishing 101
So you have finished stitching your project - now what? Finishing needlepoint can be an intimidating part of the process, but it doesn't need to be! Here are some of my tips for learning about how to finish needlepoint.
WHO CAN FINISH MY PROJECT?
It is best to work with your local needlepoint store for finishing your projects. If you don’t have a local store, there are many stores that allow you to ship your finished piece to them. Our wonderful needlepoint stores work with a community of skilled finishers, some which work directly for the shop and others that they send items out to, that can create a wide variety of pieces - from stand up figurines to ornaments to door hangers to stand up framed pieces to pillows. They can also help talk through options for what is possible. They are skilled sewers in these very skilled techniques! There are also a number of independent needlepoint finishers you can find on instagram as well who are doing beautiful work.
WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK
- What are your finishing turn around times?
- Can you provide a range or average cost for this type of finish so I can be aware?
- Do you provide finishing fabric or do I need to provide my own?
- If providing my own fabric, how much do you recommend I send based on my desired finish?
- What are the instructions for how I should mail my pieces to you? (If working with a store not local to you)
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR PIECE
If shipping your piece, always keep your canvas flat and do not fold it to prevent creases in your piece. Make sure it is enclosed in a protected water safe sleeve.
If you are looking for a specific look, include your finishing fabric and DMC floss for cording if needed. I always like to pick my own colors so I always include my own!
Provide as much detail as possible with your piece. My biggest recommendation is to find an image of a finished needlepoint piece that you are wanting to replicate and include that with your piece. Even if you don’t know all the names for certain looks or details, an image can say it all and be so helpful when trying to communicate what you want. I often include a little sketch and notes as well. Be as detailed as you can to ensure you get what you want!
Make sure you include your contact information so the shop can get in touch with you!
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Sometime it is important to stitch additional rows around your pieces, so the finisher has room to wrap edges and that no details are lost on your piece. Make sure to discuss this if needed with your finisher. Most of our canvases already have this accounted for in our border outlines. If you want to add additional rows to make a piece larger, that is also an option!
Another important part of the process in finishing your piece is called BLOCKING. It is inevitable (and totally normal!) that when you are stitching a piece, it tends to warp. When working with a local store and finisher, they will block your piece to get all the edges straight again before sewing it into its final form.
CAN I FINISH NEEDLEPOINT MYSELF?
Yes! I would highly recommend taking Abigail Cecile’s Needlepoint Finishing Class, which is all online, and she provides supplies you need as a part of the class! Here is a link where you can sign up: click here!
HOW MUCH DOES FINISHING COST?
Finishing is expensive but worth it, because your needlepoint piece will be a treasure for years to come. Each store approaches finishing costs differently and I wish there were more resources our there for cost transparency. I will share the prices I have paid for pieces and hope this gives you some range of what to expect. Make sure to ask your store/ finisher up front how much your piece will be.
ORNAMENT: Around $50-$55, for an ornament with DMC Floss twisted cord around it.
PILLOW: These have a much wider price range due to the different details you can do on a pillow. I have paid $100 for a knife edge pillow (more basic) up to $150-$165 for a box edge pillow.
DOOR HANGER: $80 to $115
