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Needlepoint/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| amount per stitch on 18 pt. needlept canvas | 1/8/2012 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: Do I use a part or all of DMC floss on 18 pt needlepoint canvas? A: DMC floss on an 18-point canvas is right in that in-between spot. While I have not done a piece ... | ||
| Faded sampler | 8/23/2011 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: Is there a way that color can be restored to a faded sampler stitched in 1838? Is it safe for me to ... A: Sometimes dirt and soil will cause the colors to look dull or faded, and a proper cleaning will ... | ||
| Restoring/Framing Old Wool Needlepoint | 7/26/2011 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I would like to possibly restore and professionally frame a solid needlepoint that is approx. 33 ... A: Yes, you should certainly get it cleaned, blocked and framed; depending on the size, you could also ... | ||
| plastic canvas adhesive | 7/11/2011 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I am searching for the best adhesive for plastic canvas and cork...making coasters and not sure what ... A: This is a bit out of my area of expertise, but I recently had the same kind of question about what ... | ||
| needlepoint | 5/30/2011 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I am interested in taking up a large counted needlepoint pattern on 22 count canvas (20" x 30"). I ... A: There are three variants of the tent stitch: The half cross stitch is worked horizontally or ... | ||
| yarns, threads and canvas, oh my! | 5/21/2011 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: i have cross stitched before--even big projects--so im familiar with aida cloth-- NOW i wanna try ... A: There aren't any hard and fast rules about how many thread plies are used on particular canvases. ... | ||
| needlepoint brick | 5/8/2011 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I need to know how to start a (mono canvas)needlepoint cover for a brick. One book says "before ... A: I've answered several questions about needlepoint bricks; they seem to be popular! Here are the ... | ||
| different types of canvas | 5/6/2011 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: What is the difference between 100 % cotton 12 count vs.antique penel0pe 10/20 count ? A: Canvas can be made from various materials, but most commonly it is made from cotton. A 12 count ... | ||
| perle cotton | 4/8/2011 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: How many skeins of perle cotton will cover a 13 gauge canvas 13x13"? A: Jo Ann, There's no hard and fast formula to calculate coverage with various types of threads. ... | ||
| mildew on needlepoint | 2/14/2011 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: Good morning. My parents' roof leaked, and unfortunately, as a result, the framed needlepoint piece ... A: Janice, Mold/Mildew stains can be difficult to remove. It will definitely need to be washed, and ... | ||
| Sizing old needlepoint | 12/6/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I am working on completing an older ( c. 1980s) mono canvas. It came in a kit, and the canvas was ... A: Susan, I apologize for the long delay. Unless the canvas is really unworkable, you could just keep ... | ||
| Needle Care | 12/2/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I noticed that a few of my needlepoint needles fastened in a hand stitched needle book had left a ... A: Most common needlepoint needles (aka tapestry needles) are made from nickel plated steel. While ... | ||
| finishing the back of a needlepoint wall hanging | 11/17/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I have a completed wall hanging for a childs room,5 1/2" X 40 1/4" , but I am not sure how to finish ... A: There are a few different ways to back up a needlepoint wall hanging. The instructions would be too ... | ||
| Stitching a long bell pull | 11/14/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I have a long needlepoint bell pull (12x30") showing the faces of the Three Wise Men. The faces ... A: My personal preference is stitching without a frame of any kind. I wash (or at least dampen) and ... | ||
| Doing basket weave stitches on an involved design | 11/10/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I know how to do basket weave when there is a large area of solid color. How do you do it when your ... A: Dee, While basket weave is very good for covering large areas, with minimal canvas distortion, it ... | ||
| What stitch | 11/8/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: My mother was doing a needlepoint canvas before she passed away and I don't know the name of the ... A: The stitch you are referring to is called "Tent Stitch". It's the most common stitch for ... | ||
| needle point project question | 10/15/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I am doing a project on needlepoint for school that relates to needlepoint during 1914-1918, World ... A: As for the information, you should check with The American Needlepoint Guild: ... | ||
| framing damaged needlepoint canvas | 10/10/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I have cleaned my mother's needlepoint kachina doll hanging and it came out well. The picture is in ... A: Darlene, Sorry for the delay; I had to go out of town for a family emergency. You have the right ... | ||
| needlepoint belt...cotton or wool best? | 10/8/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I'm using 18 ct for a needlepoint belt for my son in college. My friend feels that cotton is easier ... A: Kristie, I apologize for the delay; I had to travel out of town for a family emergency. I'm not a ... | ||
| repairing needlepoint canvas | 10/7/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I have a needlepoint of my mother's which is over 15 years old. She started it and when she passed ... A: Sorry for the delay; I had to go out of town for a family emergency. First, check to make sure it's ... | ||
| Getting a needlepoint pillow made | 9/18/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I recently finished doing a needlepoint canvas and now want to have the canvas made into a pillow. I ... A: Elaine, I moved to California from NYC in 1988, so I'm out of touch with the current scene in the ... | ||
| bought my wife a present | 8/30/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I bought a real old needlepoint picture 18 x 24 that was at an estate sale. It is a picture of a ... A: Needlepoint tends to be like most pieces of art: Unless it was designed or stitched by someone well ... | ||
| neddlepoint stocking | 8/1/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: Are the stores, web sites etc that will make you neddlepoint stockings into real stockings that you ... A: Jane, Yes, there are several places online that offer finishing services. Try searching online for ... | ||
| Silk Gauze Needlepoint | 7/26/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: Babcock, I am currently working on a silk gauze (40ct) design of a trout. I am working the fish in ... A: Marlene, Colors and shading are not really my forté; I just do not have the "artistic" inclination ... | ||
| Cleaning needlepoint belt | 7/18/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I will follow up on that. I have another question, which is how do I clean a leather mounted ... A: The combination of leather and needlepoint obviously doesn't lend itself well to cleaning. I would ... | ||
| Needlepoint | 6/24/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I have a church kneeler that has been damaged. The needlepoint fabric is torn but the stitching is ... A: Penny, If the canvas is damaged, the stitching will have to be removed so the canvas can be ... | ||
| Using pearl cotton on needlepoint | 6/20/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I have always stitched with persian wool on needlepoint canvas and have never been disappointed. ... A: Marlene, I agree with you. If it were an item that would not receive much handling, pearl cotton ... | ||
| distortion returns after blocking | 6/18/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: Babcock, I have been doing needlepoint for only a few years but really love it. After having spent ... A: Martha, Occasionally, a finished piece will need to be blocked a few times for it to be brought ... | ||
| assembling a Bucilla Christmas stocking` | 6/14/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I am looking for someone to assemble this kit. I cannot do it. Do you have any who do this? A: Mary, If you are looking for someone to do the stitching for you, try searching online for ... | ||
| needlepoint canvas | 6/7/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: i want to use embroidery thread on a needlepoint picture - should i select 18 or 14 count hand ... A: Diane, The count, or gauge, is how many holes per inch of canvas. The higher the number, the ... | ||
| needlepoint appraisal -1769 | 5/23/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I have a needlepoint from my Grandmother. I believe it to be a sampler. It has the alphabet, ... A: Appraisals are really outside my field of expertise. I can only suggest you contact the American ... | ||
| Needlepoint belt: number of wool strands | 5/17/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: How many strands of Paternayan wool should be used for a 16-count or gauge needlepoint belt? One ... A: As you've noticed, 16 gauge canvas is at that cusp where one strand may not be enough, but two ... | ||
| Premium mounting of a needlepoint belt | 5/4/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I have a beautiful needlepoint belt and a sterling silver belt set(buckle, slide and tip)that I ... A: Jon, I contacted the owner of Erica Wilson Needle Works (they closed their NYC shop a few years ... | ||
| finishing a needlepoint for a brick (doorstop) | 4/17/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: after blocking, stretching, cleaning, what do you do to finish? A: Susan, You will need to fold up the canvas into the shape of your brick, then stitch up the corners ... | ||
| Bargello Pillows | 4/4/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I recently bought some books of Bargello needlepoint patterns and I'm excited to make a couple of ... A: Rebecca, I sincerely apologize for the delay in responding. While any canvas gauge will suffice, ... | ||
| Persian wool | 3/26/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I need a strand of persian wool for cruel work. The color is bright white #2002. It is for an old ... A: Carolyn, I recommend you contact Dimensions; they have a contact form that facilitates requests of ... | ||
| Appraisal of a needlework sampler | 3/5/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: How do determine the appraisal value of a completed needlework crosstitch sampler? I have a framed ... A: Wendy, It is hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like the piece is cross-stitch as opposed ... | ||
| DMC Floss for Needlepoint | 2/23/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I am about to begin a 12-gauge needlepoint, printed (Penelope-style) mesh canvas. DMC (Mouline 25) ... A: Mickey, With a 12 gauge canvas you should use a #20 needle. I think you'll find a single strand ... | ||
| needlepoint extension | 2/18/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: My grandmother made a needlepoint piano bench cover for me 35 yrs. ago. I recently got a new piano ... A: Jane, The short answer is yes, you can add canvas to the edges to extend the piece. The hardest ... | ||
| needlepoint canvass sizing stain | 2/14/2010 | Henry Babcock |
| Q: I have a canvass that is approximately. 18 years old. It has been in a closet, partially finished, ... A: Audrey, Yes, the staining might be from the masking tape residue. While the sizing can discolor ... | ||
Henry Babcock
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I learned needlepoint from my grandmother over 30 years ago. I can answer most questions on the subject. I know about producing needlepoint as well as cleaning, repairing and restoring. I do NOT make referrals to specific service providers.
Experience
Over 30 years using needle and canvas.
Education/Credentials
AS Marine Diving Technologies, SBCC 1998
BA Environmental Studies, UCSB 1993
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