Tentakulum is a German company hand-dyeing many different threads in colors inspired by different painters. Each is named for the painter (last names for the men, first for the women). The line is distributed in the US by YLI.

There is a huge variety of threads in this line. In the small piece pictured above, each patch used a different color of a different thread. These included two different Au Ver A Soie silks, Shimmer Blend Ribbon Floss, and matte cotton. In total in the line there are eight silks (including ribbon), four cottons, crewel wool, two metallics, and two rayon threads. You can see a complete listing on their colours page, near the bottom. Click on any thread name to get the most recent batch of colors for that thread.

Each color is named for a painter. Some of then are reflective of colors present in most of their work. An example of this is Klimt, which is a combination of golds. Others are typical of a period, such as the blues of Picasso. Still others, such as Van Gogh, are typical of a particular painting (Sunflowers in that case). To be quite honest in some cases I don’t know why a thread is named for one artist rather than another, but it still is an interesting approach to color.

This star was stitched in the same color of thread, Klee, in two different threads. While you can see that the palette is similar, the matte cotton is significantly darker than the silk. The same thing can happen not only from thread to thread, but from dye lot to dye lot. The bright green in the patchwork is Rousseau, but if you look at the colors page, you will see the current batch of Rousseau is much lighter. This is true for most threads I tested in two dye lots or threads.

I love the idea behind The Painter’s Palette threads. I like that these threads capture colors from different artists. However, I think they will only work well in geometric, patchwork, or abstract pieces. With just about every color I tried, the colors were varied enough that they would be hard to incorporate in hand painted canvas needlepoint.

The inconsistency in dye lots is another problem. If you buy everything you need for a project at once, you will be able to match. But hoard your thread, even for a short time and you won’t even come close to matching. Without dye lot numbers on the packages, you can’t even ask about matches. This limits the line’s usefulness severely.

Given that, I would say these threads are an outstanding choice for learning about new threads and for doing geometric pieces. They will also work well for accent threads, stash projects and geometrics.

Related posts:

1. SnipIts – thread review
2. Filomell from Gloriana — Thread Review
3. Leethal.net – Thread Review
4. Overdyed Vineyard Silk from Threadworx – Thread Review
5. Silk Lamé from Rainbow Gallery — Thread Review

Read the rest here:
Painter’s Palette – Thread Review

I’ve been thinking about offering a monthly needlepoint club for 2011 but I’m torn about what to do and I’d like you to help me decide by participating in this poll.

My plan is to offer one project per month. The packet will include line-drawn canvas, instructions and, possibly, threads (I’m still debating that one).

One aspect of the club will be color, and it’s use in needlepoint. Each of the color schemes I use will be explored in two of the projects. You’ll not only see the scheme in use, you’ll learn about it and get ideas for how to make this type of color scheme on your own.

Now to the choices:

Little Bargello Treasures – An eclectic mix of Bargello projects, including cupcakes, items for personal accessories, and other shapes filled with Bargello. The emphasis in this will be on different types of Bargello patterns.

Exploring Threads – These will be designs of various kinds in 3″ round ornaments. The emphasis here will be on learning about different types of threads, including some traditionally not used for needlepoint. And on picking the right thread (and stitch) to depict many types of items. The designs will be in rounds, but not holiday-oriented. The 3″ round can be used in many of the Lee and Stirling items, so you can finish them yourself.

Stitches and Quilt Blocks — The endlessly fascinating world of needlepoint stitches will be explored using quilt blocks for each of the programs. Quilt blocks have the advantage of requiring little compensation, so you can learn the stitch, and are an easy way to explore color.

Vote in the poll below to let me know which one you would prefer. The poll will close next Tuesday.

Related posts:

1. Christmas Lights – 2010 Needlepoint Club
2. Color Schemes – Quilt Block Two Ways
3. August Twinchy Challenge – Quilt Blocks
4. Great Quilt Pattern Adaptation
5. From Molehill to Mountain – Book Review

Go here to read the rest:
What Kind of Needlepoint Club Would You Like to See?

Originally posted 2009-07-19 07:35:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Check it out!

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1. Great Plastic Canvas
2. Another Plastic Canvas Alert
3. Japanese PC (and I don’t mean Politically Correct!)
4. Craft Gossip Feature
5. Great Plastic Canvas Storage Box

Read the original post:
Interview about Needlepoint

So you’ve decided to stitch a belt. Now you have to make some decisions about finishing it.

If you decide to finish it as a needlepoint belt, you have a couple of options, somewhat dependent on the waist size of the person wearing it. Most belt canvases are about 38″ long. If the belt needs to be longer than this, your only option is to make a traditional belt with leather ends. Several companies have information about how to prepare your belt canvas for this, including eHow, Needlepoint Belts, and others.

This is a specialized finishing service so you will need to have the leather end belts professionally done. Some companies who do this include Pinnell Custom Leather, Elizabeth Turner Collection, and Voila!. Voila offers many styles of belts beyond the leather tips and buckle. Go to your local shop to work with these companies.

ribbon belt from Old Navy

If you choose to finish the belt yourself, you will need to finish it like a ribbon belt (picture above). The raw ends of the needlepoint will need to be turned under and the belt should be stiffened with interfacing and lined with ribbon. Although the needlepoint is thicker than ribbon, the procedure for finishing is the same.

martha’s vineyard needlepoint hat band

But what if you don’t want a belt? There are plenty of other things you can make from this long skinny canvas. To wear you could make a bracelet, headband, hat band, sandals, key fob, or a purse (Voila! has many creative ideas for this). You can turn it into a camera strap or a purse strap. For your home, why not do my favorite, making a band to decorate the top of a basket.

So what if it ends up being a “breakup belt?” You can still make it a stylish part of your life.

Related posts:

1. Needlepoint Belts – Needlepoint in the News
2. Book Review — The Needlepoint Belt Series
3. What Can I Do with a Plaid?
4. Designing your own Needlepoint Belt
5. New in Needlepoint – June 2010

See original here:
What Can I Do with a Belt Canvas?

Originally posted 2009-02-09 13:41:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Here’s some more lovely new canvas which premiered at TNNA last month.

A new needlepoint company exhibiting at TNNA for the first time was Patt and Lee Designs. There a wonderful cat designs (some realistic an some whimsical), great geishas, and tons more. I am particularly delighted by her “Less than a Full Skein Inspired Designs” and I’m getting ready to start one next week. I can’t wait to hear more from her.

HP Needlepoint has a wonderful page of their lovely canvases. There are some great birds on black with a wonderful folk art feel, more lovely orientals, African animal silhouettes which would be great for beginners, and lots more.

Betsy B Designs has added a wonderful collection of Christmas song canvases. These canvases have a line from a familiar Christmas song with a illustration underneath which reflects the song. Bothe contemporary and traditional carols and songs are in the group. She has also added some enchanting sorority angels to her collection of sorority and fraternity canvases.

A Dragon’s Tale has some cool new roll up Santas. They are 7″ x 7″ and are very traditional.

Kathy Schenkel has six pages of new designs on her site. Highlights include lots of new mini-socks with stuffed animals (I particularly like the decorator elephant on page 2), some St. Patrick’s Day canvases and some new dogs.

Finally, take a look at the ravishing new canvases from Leigh Designs. Leigh makes the most lovely and intricate stuff, often almost too pretty to stitch. You are going to love the Ray’s Moppets Collection, done on the new tweed canvas so you don’t have to stitch the background. I’m also really fond of the Swedish Dynasty ornaments, which are directly below the moppets. Not only is it lovely needlepoint, it’s great eye candy!

Related posts:

1. New Products from TNNA Market
2. TNNA Round-Up, Part 1
3. More New Needlepoint Products in Canvas, Charts & Kits
4. TNNA Round-Up, Part 4
5. All Those Lovely Canvases!

Follow this link:
More New Canvases from TNNA

Needlepoint belt by Patti Mann

The style section of the New York Times ran an article this week about needlepoint belts. It begins by talking about the “breakup belt,” a close relative of the “breakup sweater.” You know those items you make for a significant other but you break up before the item is stitched.

Their solution is to buy an already-made belt. In the article they show off some charming belts and point you to several companies that make them. But I’d like to suggest something else. Why not stitch a belt for yourself or finish that breakup belt into something else — after all it’s your relationship too.

Navajo belt from Julia’s Needleworks

Many fantastic companies make great needlepoint belt canvases. Two of the biggest companies for making belt canvases are Voila! and the Elizabeth Turner Collection. Elizabeth Turner has over 1000 belts in their collection, covering just about every style and subject. Many other needlepoint designers have belt collections in their line, including Rebecca Wood, Patti Mann, Julia’s Needleworks, and Patti Paints. Additional designers to check out include The Point of it All, and Rosalie Peters.

You can also design your own belt, get a tartan charted for a belt, or use letters to make a monogram.

I also found a great site, Needlepoint Belts, that directs you to many sources for belts. Tomorrow look for an article about finishing a belt and other ways to use a belt canvas.

Related posts:

1. TNNA Round-Up, Part 4
2. What Can I Do with a Plaid?
3. Book Review — The Needlepoint Belt Series
4. New in Needlepoint – June 2010
5. Designing your own Needlepoint Belt

Go here to read the rest:
Needlepoint Belts – Needlepoint in the News

Originally posted 2008-12-24 16:05:49. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Here’s your Christmas presents from me. These are free charts for two simple Christmas ornaments you can make using threads from your stash and 14 mesh plastic canvas.

Both are based on classic American quilts. You can make them in any colors you choose and they will only take a little while.

Because they use plastic canvas they are easy to finish and those instructions will be at the end of tomorrow’s post.

The first one, pictured above, is based on the Diamond in the Square quilt, so often seen in Amish quilts. It’s stitched entirely in Pebbly Perle. The chart os below.

Use any color scheme you like. I used a quiet analogous scheme of pink, violet, and navy blue. More saturated colors could make a really bold design.

This one uses a five patch quilt block as a basis for an ornament which looks like Cloisonne enamel. The design is outlined using gold metallic then the blocks are filled in, again with Pebbly Perle. The chart for the design is below

This uses the same color scheme of pink, violet, and blue, but look how different it is! By choosing a much lighter blue, and more saturated colors, the scheme is bright and cheery. Adding the gold also brightens it.

Merry Christmas!

Related posts:

1. Another Plastic Canvas Alert
2. Plastic Canvas Podcast
3. Great Plastic Canvas Storage Box
4. Two Great Plastic Canvas Patterns
5. Plastic Canvas Gift to Make for Knitters

Read this article:
Two Plastic Canvas Ornaments

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