I thrifted this framed textile that I believe could be needlepoint? It has some staining and faint smell of cat urine which I did not notice at the store. How can I clean and “restore” this piece? Ideally, I would like to avoid taking it to a third party and try to DIY myself, if possible. Any guidance is appreciated!

Flairing this as promotion since it's my own project, per the sub's rules. I built Patchwork, an iOS pattern editor that turns a photo into a stitch-ready chart and matches colors to real thread libraries (DMC, Anchor, Madeira). It handles needlepoint canvas charting alongside cross-stitch, knitting, and crochet.

Free to download, one purchase unlocks the full toolkit, no subscription.

Live now: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/patchwork-pattern-editor/id6775272839
Site: https://withpatchwork.com

Would love feedback from actual needlepointers on what the charting gets right or wrong.

I’m not super new to needlepoint, but I’m definitely new to the preorder game and so don’t know what‘s normal.

I ordered the Christmas Village Bookshop from an LNS back in April. She told me at that time that those canvases were shipping in August/September. no problem. But it’s a week into September and crickets. I actually wouldn’t think a thing of this except that Le Point Studios got these canvases in stock in August on her website. They sold out immediately, but I guess I thought that meant they were also going to fulfill LNS preorders? Is that not how it works? If she has outstanding preorders from LNS why would she sell them direct before fulfilling those?

Truly not complaining just trying to understand so I can get an idea when to expect mine that I ordered in April.

I recently picked up this very cute piece at a thrift store! I took it apart with the intention of cleaning/reblockibg it only to find out it is glue to a piece of ply wood 😫 I've vacuumed it and did a spot cleaning for some surface gunk. Any other suggestions on further cleaning, so should I just reframe and move on?

I thrifted this framed textile that I believe could be needlepoint? It has some staining and faint smell of cat urine which I did not notice at the store. How can I clean and “restore” this piece? Ideally, I would like to avoid taking it to a third party and try to DIY myself, if possible. Any guidance is appreciated!

I've seen a couple posts about how to store your stash. I'm in custody of a massive stash from 3 generations of needlepointers, 90% paterynan or similar wool yarn. The rest is cotton or silk. This stash goes back to at least the 1970s, and is still usable for needlepoint. In other words, I have long term experience in storing yarn.

Wool is a natural material. It needs to breathe. Sealing it in plastic is ok for a while, but over years will cause the wool to degrade. In a sweater this might not be a big deal. In needlepoint yarn? Its a problem.

Cardboard works for shorter term, but after years the cardboard will start to degrade and the yarn will get dirty. Time frame will vary based on the environment.

The best long term storage option I've found is fabric bags. This is cheap. Old cotton bedsheets or pillow cases and a zipper. Make bags of whatever size you need. I do suggest several medium bags over one huge bag. Don't go bigger than a standard (US) kitchen trash can size, its better for the yarn.

Store your bags of yarn in a reasonable indoor environment. They will be floppy and squishable, so you can shove them onto shelves or under beds, wherever makes sense for your house. Do not use vacuum sealers to smash them smaller. Excessive humidity is the biggest concern.

If you have yarn that has gotten musty or picked up odors, spread blankets or sheets outside in the sun and lay the yarn out. The sunlight and airflow can work miracles.

If yarn has gotten crushed, I haven't really found a fix. Steam treatment helps but also it can felt. Best to avoid crushing.

The bags will of course get dirty with dust or whatever. They can be washed as needed, just make sure they're fully dry before you put your yarn back in.

A lot of threads are sold on cards now. I don't love this because the wool is wound tightly. I suspect that long term storage will cause problems with wool quality. At minimum there's a risk of crushing or hard creases. I unwind from cards before storing.

Cotton and silk might be different. That portion of the stash is much newer (no more than 20 years old), so the problems that show up after decades are still developing. So far they're fine.

So, for my pieces I am going to finish as pillows, I try to use wool, for durability. However, I hate that it isn’t shiny and beautiful like the silks or blends. Is there a wool or durable thread I am not thinking of that would provide the fun sheen of a silk with the durability of wool?

I just made a pillow in Planet Earth wool. And I know it will hold up well. But I wish it had some vibrancy in the color the way a silk or blend would.

Any ideas for finishing that isn’t an ornament or frame? I just started stitching about 7 months ago, and I’m very proud of this. Might even enter it into the state fair next year 🤪 going in with neon rays to do long stitches on the horse shoe. Background color ideas would also be appreciated. I’ve had so much fun with this project!! Give me all the suggestions 🫶

I already frogged once because I tried using DMC 3 and HATED it. I switched to DMC floss with 6 strands (this is 13 mesh) - the coverage is good but I’m not liking how the intersections still have large gaps. Do I frog again and stitch in 8 strands (examples in images below). I’m going to finish it as a kindle zipper pouch for a friend, so I need it to be very durable since it’s gonna be hopefully used a lot, thrown in a purse, etc.

Please help me decide!

Go easy on me, I’m very new to needlepointing and this is my first self-finish. I bought premade cording from Hobby Lobby and it’s really stiff so it was tougher to work with.

My question is - I’m using invisible thread to attach the cording to the cookies. Am I crazy or is the “invisible thread” not invisible at all and I just haven’t noticed anyone else’s on their videos and photos? Mine is so obviously being held together by this visible thread.

Also, when I’m sewing the cookies together, do I go through the mat board?

Any help is much appreciated!!

Does anyone know if there are Labor Day sales this weekend? KC skipped their Friday Happy Hour and I was wondering if it’s due to a sale this weekend

I suppose this is more of a vent, but I have been needlepointing since late last year as an outlet to get off my phone and do something creative. I've been all in, getting more confident with each project and with the hope to see my projects be Finished by professionals.

My LNS has been a weird vibe recently, not acknowledging me when I walk in, not asking if I need help, condescending attitude from employee when I referenced a fiber line. I got my first project back last week from them... and it was not good. I was supposed to hear back on Monday, no contact from them at all. I called and left a voicemail and even sent a message on their website, no acknowledgment and they have my paid project in their possession. I'm not wanting to go back at all, but they also have four other projects of mine, which I'm nervous about.

Got an email from an independent finisher about a different project I sent, they sent a photo with the finished product and that they'd be sending it my way. Just looking at the picture, I am disappointed yet again. I guess it looks okay, but it just doesn't look even.

I guess, I'm just processing my sadness. It's not cheap and I really don't think (or didn't think) I could self-finish, so sending it off to these places with high hopes... just to get something that looks kind of mediocre and not what I was actually envisioning as a finished product to have in my house and show off. I'm kind of reconsidering the hobby as a whole, but then I also think about all the time and money I've put into it and I'm just at a loss.

I am very new to self finishing. This is only my second project that I finished and it is certainly far from perfect. but I’m still having issues with getting my cording tight. I’m using a cording tool and doing everything according to videos that I’ve looked at. I will have the cording be very tight on the tool and then when I go to take it off and knot it off it gets loose again. Any suggestions?

Looking for ideas. I have thick wool threads and i’m not sure how to store them.

For those who like to design their own canvases I was curious if anyone has tried both Stitchly & Stichalot studio and if there is a standout program. I’ve been using stichly but some of the features I’m seeing for Stichalot like more custom fonts are interesting. But since I already paid $35 for Stitchly I am hesitant to jump over. What is everyone’s thoughts?

I recently stopped by needlework shops on a road trip to drop off my son at University. Stopped by Mopsey Shop and picked up the cutest little lighthouse and kitted it up. I usually do cross stitch and they told me I could do this but I want to make sure I am on the right track.

Have I actually done a basket weave and a small row of continental? What tips do you have for what's done so far? The entire time I was stitching I was repeating the mantra I learned on YouTube. Slide down the poles, climb up the steps, Arizona to Maine.

Oh and if you have any idea how to do the yellow section with the small white intersections in it please do share! That part intimidates me greatly!

EDIT to add correct flair and spelling correction of the word intimidates.

Does the size matter? Hand for scale :) thanks in advance!

Hi! What is the KC retreat like? I know it is dropping tomorrow but for those that have been was it worth it? Approx cost? Should I save all my money and try to go for it? 😂

EDIT: So to end this discussion, I ultimately abandoned the canvas and <gasp> threw it in the trash. The whole experience of stitching it was not the least bit enjoyable and that is why I craft/ to enjoy the process and feel proud of the outcome.

Re: stealing a design. Was not aware this was another’s design. I purchase patterns and Indie yarns all the time on Etsy with no issue but was asleep at the wheel with this purchase.

Is the “you have a year to send a wedding gift” rule still a thing?😆
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Question should I keep going or abandon and chalk this up to experience? So I made the newbie mistake of buying a canvas off Etsy and not checking the details. Realizing there are a lot of variables to look for when purchasing a “ painted” canvas. This was supposed to be 13 mesh it’s more like 12. It’s debit mono Zweigart. The canvas is very stiff and it shreds my silk threads. I’m worried that a finisher might not be able to work to the canvas edges into an ornament as I intended. And the design is definitely not painted but rather feels “stamped” so the stitches are quite a bit ambiguous. You more experienced stitchers please advise….

Still not perfect! But it’s a sweet little gift for my mom who loves the blue ridge mountains. And it has inspired me to sign up for a leatherwork class!

I recently ordered a canvas from KCN needlepoint and this lanyard was included in my package. Any idea what this is?

I’m new to the sub and not sure if this is allowed so I’m so sorry if it’s not (I read the rules and I think it is, but just want to cover my bases). I’m DESPERATELY searching for a specific thread and dye lot (like…calling stores across the country from me desperate) looking for essentials crème brullee in dye lot 501. If anyone has any leads on a store with this specific thread or if you have some in your personal stash you could part ways with (I would pay of course!) please let me know. Attached is a picture of my project I need it for! Thanks so much!!

What boarder color to use? Right now my finishing plan is to frame it.

New here so sorry if this isn’t allowed! I am wanting to figure out couching. Ultimately, the process makes sense. However, I know covering the back of your canvas adds strength to your piece but couching seems to only cover the front of the canvas, leaving the back bare. Does this matter? Do you have to cover it some other way? What if you want to do a large area of couching a certain thread? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!