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Needlepoint

Needlepoint Finishing

by Linda Alexander

Needlepoint finishing is not all that difficult once you get the hang of it. Blocking is generally used with needlepoint but sometimes it's also done with cross stitching. You should wash your work before stretching and framing it.

Even if it doesn't look dirty, the oils from your skin that are on the piece will attract dirt. Leave it to dry overnight and do not touch it! Then, it's time to block your work to reshape it. Make sure you have cut it exactly along all 4 sides; if not, you can clip it accurately between the same two threads all the way down each side.

Needlepoint Finishing: "How-To" Tips

To begin needlepoint finishing, dampen the piece with water from a squirt bottle. With your hands, using a t-square, pin the fabric, face down, to your ironing board to form perfect 90 degree angles at each corner. Then let it dry thoroughly. It should dry with a perfect shape; if it's not perfectly square, repeat the process until it is.

If you need to touch it up with the iron, do so gently and use a presscloth. As you are stitching your next projects, you can use a scroll frame to help keep your work square as you complete it. But remember to mount it to the frame tautly, and you'll need less needlepoint finishing when you are done with the project.

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