shape

Shapes of Needlepoint Series II – Book Review

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Diamonds, Hearts, Octagons, Stars, Sandy Arthur, Duo Designs, 2011, $44.95

On August 15, the next book in this series will be available. If I sat down and thought about the shapes in needlepoint that perplex me the most, these four would be at the top of the list.

Every time I need to stitch one of these I can’t find a stitch and, once I do, I’m never satisfied.

But no more, I have this book, a tremendous resource for the stitcher.

The stitches are arranged by shape and then by size within the shape. The Table of Contents summarizes them all. So if you need to find a stitch for an 8×8 diamond, for example, there are seven listed, on pages 28-30.

Pick your shape, pick your size and find your ideas.

One thing that makes this book so useful is that you’ll find many open shapes that can be filled with additional stitches, making shapes that are little works of art in themselves.

The diagrams are large and clear with occasional working notes to explain things.

I find myself actually looking forward to those shapes I once avoided.

The cost of the book is $44.95, more than the first book but with so many ideas for shapes neglected by other books, it’s a tremendous value and an essential book.

Many shops are taking orders for the book right now, for shipping in the middle of August. If you are looking for the iPhone/iPod/iPad version of Series II, it will be out in the fall.

Related posts:

  1. Shapes of Needlepoint – Book Review
  2. Background Stitches vol.1 – book review
  3. Book Review — The Needlepoint Belt Series
  4. More Shadow Stitching – book review
  5. A Background Stitch Reference Book — Book Review

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Shapes of Needlepoint Series II – Book Review

Getting Great Colors and Textures for Your Pottery

by

in Craft Shopping

Any potter wants his or her work to reflect their absolute best. You spend so much time perfecting the shape and the size of your work, and after it has been finished you then decide whether to add some color or patterns.

Continue reading here:
Getting Great Colors and Textures for Your Pottery

Needlepoint Suede Boxes

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Originally posted 2003-03-03 07:22:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The more you do needlepoint, the more you find yourself looking for
unique ways to finish those items which are stitched, but not
finished. I have piles of them myself, so I was really excited at
TNNA to see the lovely Custom Suede Boxes made in New Mexico by Duane Massa.

Duane can take any piece of finished needlepoint and turn it into a
lovely suede box. Along with suede, smooth leathers are available.
He will also do boxes in specialty leathers as well.

The boxes are made of suede and then lined in another color of suede. Currently 16 colors of lamb leather and 31 colors of pig suede are available. There are six standard shapes (square, rectangle, heart, oval, egg and round). Each of these shapes is a standard price as long as the box is smaller than 25″ in circumference. Larger sizes are extra. The boxes are usually 2.5 inches deep, but other sizes can be made.

You can find the circumference of your needlepoint by measuring around the outside of the stitching. So, for example, a 5 inch square picture has a circumference of 20 inches.

But if you don’t want a standard shape, Duane will make boxes in the shape of your needlepoint. A bright pink contemporary cat face can be finished in the shape of the face. A leaping trout needlepoint is done as an irregularly-shaped box which follows the lines of the fish. New at the show was a hatbox-shaped box, the needlepoint making the top of the hat and having a suede “brim.” One of my pictures shows that the brim can also be made as a box.

Other shapes listed include a Halloween boot, a pumpkin (it was too cute) a lion, and a mini-sock. Duane also make picture frame boxes as well as photo albums in three sizes. These can all have your needlepoint as a striking cover. Think of having an album of Christmas photos with a special needlepoint of Santa on the front.

Finishing a box take 4-6 weeks. As a customer you provide the stitched needlepoint and pick your interior and exterior colors. You can also specify if you want a border to be added and what height you want the box to be. If you are making a photo album you also need to include a photo album to cover. Photo albums always have borders.

In the near future Custom Suede Boxes will be coming out with more great new products. These include a suede hinged stool, a needlepointed sewing box and suede or leather purses and pillows.

I was so impressed with the quality of these boxes. They are beautifully made, the tops and bottoms fitting perfectly. The quality of the leather and suede is outstanding, beautiful colors and strong enough to make great boxes. One of these would be such a treasure!


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Related posts:

  1. Stitching with a Mind towards Finishing
  2. Getting Ready to Give Needlepoint Gifts
  3. What Do You Do with your Needlepoint?
  4. Needlepoint Boxes
  5. Finishing Resources – on-line and off

Originally posted here:
Needlepoint Suede Boxes