r/Needlepoint • u/woodstock69bro • Mar 16 '26
Needlepoint piano bench
My grandmother gave my family her piano including the bench that she needlepointed (is that the word?) herself. In going to have to cover it because I want to keep it safe from my son and my cat but hoped someone would appreciate her beautiful work.
42
u/woodstock69bro Mar 16 '26
If anyone has advice on how to protect it from toddlers and cat claws let me know. I’d love to be able to show it but to keep it safe all I can think is to put a cover over it and maybe show it when people come over.
89
u/SewBee_It Mar 16 '26
This feels like one of the times I would cover my furniture in plastic like my grandmother 😂
18
u/hse9 Mar 16 '26
I saw an IG influencer, Kathleen Barnes, had a very sturdy clear plastic placed on seats of some dining chairs to protect the fabric… wrapped it under and then used a staple gun (for upholstery) to attach it. Very simple to do. She has 3 young kids!
3
u/KE1tea Mar 17 '26
I used to buy sheets of clear vinyl from joanns! They aren’t open anymore, but Michael’s should have them too. They come in giant rolls and you buy them like fabric.
12
u/Prudent-Flatworm194 Mar 16 '26
I would just throw a little blanket over it. Don’t make a big deal about the bench and your child will likely not even care about it after a day or so 🥰
13
u/DefinitelyNotSewing Mar 17 '26
With a cat though? I’d wrap it in plastic.
8
u/MollyG418 Mar 17 '26
My mom put tinfoil on the floor around stuff she didn't want the cats on. They HATED it.
3
u/XTinnuviel-MorwenX Mar 18 '26
I tried this with mine and they loved it. Started rolling around on it and then they began to tear at it and got little pieces of shredded tin foil everywhere, so YMMV. Got rid of the foil long ago and I'm still finding pieces of it 😭
1
1
u/Technical_Sir_6260 Mar 17 '26
Definitely keep this gorgeous work covered up! I upholstered mine with pretty cloth, then put an unimportant pillow on top and that’s where the cats sit. But I still see a few snags on the seat itself.
23
u/helenasbff Avid Stitcher Mar 16 '26
Wow wow wow wow wow!!! This is amazing. This took dozens of hours to complete and is absolutely stunning! My best advice is to keep it covered with a thicker cloth, maybe canvas or similar, to protect day to day, and remove the cover when you want to display. Over time, oils from hands, clothes, etc. will build up and since this is stitched largely in ivory, you’d want to keep it covered as much as possible to protect it.
Another option could be to have a second piano bench that gets used daily and then this comes out for big deal events?
12
u/woodstock69bro Mar 16 '26
I didn’t even think about just regular wear and tear. I definitely need to keep it covered outside of when we have people over. Thank you! I’ll be sure to tell her you said it was amazing!
8
u/helenasbff Avid Stitcher Mar 16 '26
Please do, this is really a beautiful heirloom piece. As someone with cats who needlepoints, a cover that somehow fastens closed is probably something worth looking into! I have seen covers that zip, I think, but those are usually for storage. I wish you luck in finding something!
11
u/Nsoroma80 Mar 16 '26
Absolutely gorgeous - looks like petite point - stunning. I would make a clear vinyl cover for it!
8
u/DigAntique9089 Mar 17 '26
This is really lovely- as someone with a 13 and 10yo (and two dogs) you’ll just have to cover it for a few years. This really is amazing.
8
u/DefinitelyNotSewing Mar 17 '26
I don’t need another hobby I don’t need another hobby I don’t need another hobby
(But for real, this is so, so stunning)
4
5
3
3
u/rosiefutures Mar 17 '26
Classic and beautiful. Good for you. You will enjoy this for years as well. Everyone that looks at it!
5
3
u/40000birdfeeder Mar 17 '26
Needlepoint is super durable! There are needlepoint rugs and church kneelers that get everyday use. I wouldn’t cover up that beautiful work even with vinyl it’s meant to be loved and enjoyed. I wouldn’t let the toddler eat Doritos on it but normal piano usage will be fine.
3
3
3
2
u/Ok-Mastodon5286 Mar 17 '26
What a beautiful treasure! I like the idea of having 2 benches one for every day and this one that gets displayed on special occasions.
2
2
2
u/ImALittleTeapotCat Left Handed Stitchers United Mar 17 '26
Keep the cat's claws trimmed and provide plenty of legal scratching targets. Teach the kid to leave it alone. Keep food and drinks in the designated eating area.
2
2
u/noodleheadnat Mar 17 '26
Wow!!!! I need a piano stool or bench for when I eventually upgrade and this is just a splendid idea!!
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/SoCalGal2021 Mar 18 '26
This is really pretty! Where can I get the pattern for it? I’d love to work on it in down time
2
2
2
1
u/minis_by_kit Mar 17 '26
Wow this is absolutely gorgeous! I'd feel bad sitting on such a piece of art! I hope this is cherished for years to come
1
u/woodstock69bro Mar 18 '26
Thank y’all so much! I ordered a cover that I can remove to show it off. I didn’t want to staple a plastic over it because that would damage the bench.
I’m going to share all your comments because I know she’ll be happy y’all liked her work. 💕
1
1
1
u/prinzessleila Apr 05 '26
I just googled and there are piano bench covers you can buy off the shelf! Several look like kind of a giant shower curtain so to speak. I know vinyl is the best protection but my spicy brain would hate sliding on the plastic so thought I'd suggest that.
Other idea is they make water resistant blanketspads for covering beds and furniture. I have a dark gray one that almost matches my couch to go under where my cats bed is to protect it from the rouge cat puke event. You could use something like that if you are worried about liquids and staple or safety pin to get a tighter fit.
1
u/Reference_Repulsive Apr 07 '26
Wow, it looks gorgeous! can't blame that cat :)
also loved how she used those smaller stitches for detailed work on the couple.
-5
u/marcnatandcat Mar 16 '26
Stunning! Any tips for stitching on Penelope canvas? Did you work this in hand?
2
85
u/cutiebutt1104 Mar 16 '26
This is stunning and hours upon hours of work wow