Beginning Needepoint Kit Design
Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 02:21PM I want to begin this post with an in-progress photo of Flower Diamonds, as it slowly moves along. About a month has gone by where I only get to stitch 2 or 3 evenings a week for a couple of hours. The "fun" parts are still left to be stitched: five more flowers in the center diamonds and the medallions on either side of the center diamonds. Soon.
I was teaching a class this past Saturday at Old World Designs in Menlo Park and Linda, the owner, and I got to talking about how to interest younger/new stitchers to the wonderful world of needlepoint. I told her my daughter McCall and I have been working together on new designs, new colors, and new approaches towards that end. As McCall is 29 years old, her ideas different in many ways from what my approach would be. But that's good.....we want to attract stitchers her age. Her two latest needlework book purchases have been Doodle Stitching and The New Crewel. Both of these books have That got me to thinking that maybe, just maybe, I too need to be thinking along new lines. They both present the basic materials and give basic instructions....not too many rules.....and then, just jump right in. The New Crewel particularly keeps both design and finishing clean and simple.....few frills....contemporary.
Our ideas, so far, include the following:
- begin with 13-count canvas or 18-count linen,
- use threads that do not generally have to be stranded, are of the best quality, but are still a reasonable cost,
- are able to be finished into wearable or household items (18-count linen is great for this)
- or can be inserted into purchased boxes, totes, or appliquéd onto pillows, etc.
- the kits should include everything the beginning stitcher needs to get started.
- include an item of embellishment such as a large decorative button, or bead as a focal point.
- keep the kit to a reasonable cost (under $50) before the finishing.
We are both working on separate designs and hope to have them ready to show off by this fall. I would love to hear from readers about what you think a "next generation stitcher" might be looking for.....something that might them veer towards needlepoint, instead of, say, knitting or quilting.
On another note, I have been busy this week finishing up lots of miscellaneous things. I've just added several items to the website. A brand new STITCHING ACCESSORIES Section has just been added with items I love to use myself: Tacky BOBs, Thread Straighteners, and Twitchetts. Also, for stitchers interested in SEASONS I have added some partial thread kits for the Vikki Clayton hand-dyed fibers #8 Perle threads. These are only available by special order in large dye skeins. Of course, the piece is still stitchable by substituting her flosses for the perles. But I have a few kits left, so when there gone, there gone.
Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day!!!
Terry Dryden
Thanks Cynthia and Jane for comments on pricing. Definitely want to make a nice kit available someone in their first job could afford (even with student loans!). I want to keep the design to 5X5 or 6X6 at the largest, so that should be possible. Do you think it would be best to include stretcher bars with the kit? Inexpensive embroidery scissors? Needle threader? I would also like to include a 1"+ size button in the kit but can't find ones I like where I can purchase more than one. Any suggestions?
A question on the size of Flower Diamonds: it is 6" X 16" and it will be finished as a bolster pillow. As I was working on it a stitch-in recently, someone suggested it would also work well framed land hung vertically. I hadn't thought of that.
Reader Comments (3)
Hi Terry,
I've been teaching Cross Stitch, Embroidery, and Needlepoint for many years to children and teens. Lot's of experience!
IMHO, your estimate of $50.00 per kit is still too expensive. Many young stitchers do not have that much free spending money. Especially with the rising cost of gas.
I try to keep the cost of what I provide to under $10.00 for the children and teens and to under $20.00 for young adults. Much more than that, and it's too expensive. Many of the ideas/kits that I prepare are much less than this.
My aim is to introduce them to the different types of stitching, show them how they can do this inexpensively with information, ideas, and resources.
Just a few thoughts and please let me know if you have any additional comments or questions.
Regards,
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
Cyn's right. $50 is pretty pricey for a college kid or younger, or even someone in their first job. By the way, Flower Diamonds is beautiful. How large is this piece, Terry?
Jane, writing with admiration here in Chilly Hollow
Hi Terry,
I sent you two very long emails today about teaching needlework to children and teens. Please let me know if you received them.
Thanks!
Cyn
Windy Meadow