Thursday, January 26, 2012

A New Challenge ~ The Middle and the End

Earlier in the month, I wrote about the January challenge on my Etsy team, Blogging Business Artisans, where we were to work on a new technique that we have wanted to try.  I decided on punch needle embroidery and found a kit which had all the supplies and instructions to get me going.



If you'd like to read about how I decided on punch needle embroidery, you can go here...

I love all forms of needlework and have done quite a lot of counted cross-stitch, hand embroidery, and crewel embroidery -- even tried my hand at needlepoint once but that didn't work out so well! But I had never tried punch needle embroidery. Well, this was my chance!



Punch needle embroidery is different from anything I've done before in that you are punching from the wrong side with your design outline facing you. It should look like tiny neat stitches, but mine weren't exactly neat!



When you punch with the specially threaded needle, it forms loops on the back side (which is the right side when all is said and done) which, in turn, creates your picture. My loops look a bit scraggly....




You use that little wire gizmo to thread the punch tool -- down thru the point, out the back end, then thread again thru the hole in the point from outside to inside.



And, believe me, that "specially threaded needle" is SHARP!! We won't go into details.....


I got a bit better as time went on....

Backside/Working side


Front side


I had problems with the loops not being a uniform height....

 The loops are kind of bumpy -- they should be the same height. 


It's extremely easy to pull the thread out and also you have a tendency to lift the needle point from the fabric which is a definite NO NO!! I guess practice makes perfect, but I want everything to come out perfectly the FIRST time!!


So, here it is finished. With all its warts and bumpy loops!





I just put it in a wooden embroidery hoop to show here, but I may decide to make it into a tiny pillow, maybe with some sweet smelling lavender inside!

I think it turned out pretty good and will definitely do this again. I like my DMC floss that I use for cross-stitch much better than what was supplied in the kit, and I want to work with my own designs. I think you'll eventually find this showing up in my Etsy shop!

I enjoyed participating in this challenge and look forward to February's where we will create a love-themed item. Stay tuned!

PS ~ Guess what I had in my vintage hoard inventory!! This (and I quote) "Easy Punch Automatic Embroidery Machine" which I found in a garage sale for $1.00! It's from 1985.


       
Uh-oh, it says it may be harmful to small children so I'd better be careful! Probably more lethal that the one that I was just using, since it uses battery power.... no doubt I'll be needle punching my fingers! But it does say on the package that the "automatic 'walking' needle ensures close, even stitching" so I guess that takes care of that not-so-neat stitching of mine!! (If you would like to read about this nifty machine, you'll find it on my Magnolia's Attic blog!)

Anyway, gotta try it out!!

By the way, did you notice Oliver's new kitty pal over there on the side bar? What a cutie!  >^.^<


♥♥

16 comments:

2justByou said...

It looks great!
My mom used to do this when I was little. I remember she made some wall hangings that were so pretty.

~Kim
from Blogging Buddies

Jenny said...

I think it looks great! Now I'm wanting to try punch embroidery.

Memories for Life said...

This turned out great! I think all the bumps add character :) I love the colors!

And Oliver's kitty friend is sure a cutie :) You need to give him/her a name!

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

How cute is that!

Rose Clearfield said...

It turned out beautifully! As I said in the BBA forum, I'm a perfectionist about my sewing work, too, and forget that the little details aren't noticeable from across the room.

I agree that DMC floss is the best. I'd love to see your own designs for this technique.

storybeader said...

it's so pretty! Great job! I've never heard of punch needle embroidery, before you mentioned it! I think I've seen them used on pillows before - would love to see it as a tiny pillow! {:-D

Judy Nolan said...

Sarah, your first needlepunch project turned out GREAT! BTW, my husband wanted to try needlepunch years ago, but he wanted fast results, so he tried that automatic thing...and believe me, it does walk. In fact, it runs...all over the place, inside and outside the lines, LOL.

Miss Hillbilly said...

It looks great!

I am seriously considering re-opening my etsy. I really don't want to as it is a huge time taker upper but I need to sell some of these things around here.

I may be asking you some questions. I've heard theres been changes since I was there 3 years ago.

DearHelenHartman said...

I remember those! The flowers you've done are so pretty.

Pamela Baker said...

The design came out great - my friend is currently working on an embroidery punch project. I was very intriqued when I first saw it.
Haven't done embroidery in years!
Thanks for showing us the progress.

Erika said...

It is beautiful! I think it turned out wonderful and looks neat to me:)

Splendid Little Stars said...

(Oliver's pal is cute!)
Your needle punch project turned out great! I think that perhaps the so-called uneven-ness (which is almost impossible to see here) adds to the organic realness of the flowers.
It will be fun to see what designs you come up with!

BeadedTail said...

Oliver's pal is cute and so is Oliver! Your project turned out lovely! I like the 3D look to it! Very pretty!

tamdoll said...

I've always wanted to do this, and I'm embarrassed to say that I have a kit stashed in my workspace that I bought years ago and haven't touched! Your flowers look great!!! This technique reminds me of old-fashioned rug hooking.

Esther Asbury said...

I've never tried punch needle embroidery -- but I really like the look of a finished piece. Maybe someday...
Yours turned out quite pretty!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

How beautiful! I have never tried this craft and really like the results!

Sweet place you have here :) I have been perusing many posts and enjoyed seeing each one. Nice to meet you!

Kindly, Lorraine

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