AboutHenry Babcock 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.
Question I just completed a custom needlepoint belt canvas and am ready to send it to a saddle company to be finished with leather and buckle. When I phoned the company, I was told that the canvas should have a "finishing stitch" which was explained as a folded stitched edge to indicate width of belt. I have no idea what that is or what to do...can you help me?
Answer Deborah,
I understand what they are talking about, but I will try to elaborate a bit.
After you have finished stitching the canvas for the belt, and blocked it if needed, you should trim the canvas down to a half inch all around the stitched area. For example, if the finished belt is 2 inches wide, the pattern should be 2 inches wide and the canvas should be 3 inches wide (half inch unfinished canvas border).
Fold the half inch border down behind the stitched part of the canvas. You will use a whip stitch on the folded edges, top and bottom. Sometimes people will use a contrasting color, sometimes a matching color; that's up to your taste. Usually, the stitch is done so that on the front the stitch looks straight (perpendicular to the stitched area), and on the back looks diagonal, but it's up to you.
I found a link with some good pics that help illustrate the technique:
